Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Shin-Ward.
Hi Donna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story has been published in my memoir, My Mystical Path: Finding Grace and Dignity in Life’s Hardest Lessons.
I began my career in midlife while raising a family of 3 daughters. I felt a call to go to graduate school to become a counselor in a unique program that integrated psychology and spirituality. As a deeply spiritual person and Christian I knew I needed to practice holistically, in a mind, body, and spirit way of understanding the human psyche.
I began my career after obtaining my MS in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University working in the field of grief and loss. Over the years I continued to use this education and experience, as it is foundational to human suffering and growth, as I studied trauma healing. My own personal life experience led me to combine those specialities to create a much needed specialty for women who have experienced narcissistic and pathological emotional abuse.
My passion is helping spiritual survivors of narcissistic abuse heal and make meaning of their grief and trauma to rise and transform into their true self, healthy and empowered self.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been the most challenging and the most rewarding path for me. Challenging academically and personally — all included in my book!
I never expected that making a decision to attend graduate school would have me face the discord within myself that led to a divorce and raise my girls while navigating a rigorous program of study and navigating my own experience of grief and loss. My desire to learn and grow personally and professionally has been and energetic force, I call faith, that has helped me overcome,
Being a channel of grace and healing to help and be present to others in the work I do is life-giving.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a licensed professional counselor, LCPC in private practice. I work with individuals and run groups specifically now who are healing from pathological emotional abuse and the trauma and grief associated with this. I am certified in a trauma therapy called Brainspotting .
I have been in practice for over 20 years and my clients appreciate that I have survived emotional abuse myself and can relate, and be vulnerable in a way that they feel deeply understood. I am completing a certification in Treating the Survivor of Emotional Abuse based on the research and expertise of Sandra Brown, MA , author of Women who Love Psychopaths.
I am very passionate about wholeness, achieving balance and wellness and am also certified as a wellness coach.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I appreciate the diversity and culture of the city. I live in a rural area outside of the city and feel fortunate to be able to enjoy both.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://donnashinwellness.com
- Instagram: shin.donna
- Facebook: donnashinbodyandsoulwellness
- LinkedIn: Donna Shin MS, NCC, LCPc
