Reasons for Writing this memoir

Early 2024, I met with an intuitive life coach to process past traumas and find direction with the next chapter of my life.  For the past 10 years, I went to counseling and peer support programs to deal with behavioral health issues. I believe that my story can help others find relief and know that they are not alone. In this memoir, I'll talk about:  

• leaving the Mormon faith
• divorcing at 18 years old
• dealing with addiction and mental health issues
• having challenges with infertility 
• attending graduate school for a master's in counseling 
• building a rewarding support system in sobriety
• maintaining a sober marriage
• building a behavioral health agency 
• and specializing in older adult behavior support and couples counseling

Mormons/LDS believe that when you married in the temple you are married for eternity with your spouse. In Sunday school at church, we were shown a girl in a wedding dress in front of the temple to marry her husband for all time and eternity. My family and church taught me that my purpose in life was to stay pure and dress modestly to find a righteous man to obey and replenish the earth with children. This was my only purpose in life.  

When I did not live up to this ideal woman, I rebelled and turned to drugs and alcohol.  For years, I carried feelings of shame for not living up to those ingrained religious values. When I left the Mormon church, I left a community of support and sense of belonging. The Mormon faith provided conditional love which is all I knew. 

Recovering from addiction and mental health issues with sober support and counseling programs has helped me find my true self. There is hope!

• Question everything
• Trust your intuition
• Find people in your life that you want to be like