August 2025
Meet Lori
Some people drift into counseling. Others, like Lori, are called—through heartbreak, healing, and a fierce desire to give back what was given to her. Her journey is one of transformation—from a vibrant career in television and nonprofit work to the sacred, slow work of accompanying souls through grief, trauma, and hope.
From Grief to Grace: The Path that Chose Her
Lori didn’t set out to be a counselor. But after the devastating loss of her parents, her mother-in-law, and a dear neighborhood friend—all within two years—her life cracked open. She turned to individual counseling and her Catholic parish’s GriefShare program. It was there that healing began to take root. “I came out of that experience feeling like a new person,” she shares. And when the pandemic brought an unexpected job loss, she saw a door open: “I decided I wanted to go back and get my master’s in mental health counseling. I felt ready for a change—and I wanted to give back what was given to me.”
Formation at Home, Wisdom in the Room
Years as a stay-at-home mom prepared Lori for more than just logistics and crisis management. “I learned to not freak out at every little family crisis,” she says. That wisdom now shapes her presence as a counselor. “When I’m with clients, I’ve learned to pause. To listen. To discern before I decide where to go next.”
Discovering Internal Family Systems—and Jesus in the Healing
Lori’s first IFS experiential was, in her words, a game-changer. “I left feeling lighter. Then when I realized I could bring in Jesus and Mary—that changed everything. I felt seen, heard, and loved by Jesus.” She began noticing tangible shifts in her inner world. “Situations that used to really bother me... they just didn’t anymore. I knew something was changing in my brain and body.”
Where Psychology Meets the Person
Lori’s work is deeply rooted in an integrated approach. She blends Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, the wellness model, and the Catholic Christian MetaModel of the Person (CCMMP). But for her, it all comes down to this: human flourishing. “It’s not about fixing problems,” she says. “It’s about building coherence between health, stress, and coping—and helping the client grow in dignity, self-respect, and wholeness.”
When Prayer Becomes Part of the Process
Faith isn’t an afterthought for Lori—it’s foundational. But she follows the client’s lead. “I usually ask which prayers or spiritual confidants they feel close to. And when the time is right, I’ll ask if they’d like to invite them into our session.” That sacred invitation often becomes a doorway to healing. Drawn to the Wounded—and the Willing Lori feels a particular call to walk with those facing trauma, anxiety, depression, and grief. She’s no stranger to the mess—and she doesn’t flinch when it shows up. “When a client is in fight, flight, or freeze, I’ve learned not to panic,” she says. “I meet them there.”
Parts That Lead and Parts That Learn
Joining the Trinitas team and pursuing licensure has brought out surprising parts in Lori—especially her anger when clients experience injustice, and her inner “fixer” who wants to rush to solutions. “But IFS reminds me: slow is fast. When I lead from my innermost self, unblended from those parts, that’s when I’m truly present. That’s what’s best for the client.” Faith Through New Lenses
Therapy has expanded her faith—and at times, stretched it.
“Seeing the world through my clients’ eyes has challenged me,” Lori admits. But it’s also deepened her compassion. “I’ve learned to unblend from my own judgments and get curious about others’ burdens. Most people carry wounds they didn’t choose. That understanding has softened me.”
Her Message to the Hesitant
“If you’re afraid to start therapy—do it afraid,” Lori says. “That’s what courage is. And when you face your fears and walk through them, healing happens in your body, mind, and spirit.”
A Trailhead for the Soul
As the seasons shift, Lori offers a simple yet powerful journaling prompt for anyone exploring parts work and integration: “Imagine your innermost self going for a walk, while your parts rest at the base of the trail. What do you notice? What do they need to tell you? What’s it like to simply be—with them, not blended into them?”
It’s the beginning of something holy—a walk toward wholeness, one step at a time. *Lori is accepting new clients in Tennessee! Learn more about her here!
