Hello, we are Chris and Emily. Our story began in college, where we met, fell in love, and connected over a shared vision of living for something bigger than ourselves. That vision took us on a 23-year journey across three countries, immersing ourselves in new cultures, learning languages like Russian, teaching English, developing leaders, and offering counseling to those in need. These years shaped us in countless ways, opening our hearts to the richness and challenges of life beyond our comfort zones.

Now married for nearly three decades, we’ve had the joy of raising four incredible young adults, all in their 20s. They’ve been some of our greatest teachers, shaping us with their wisdom, love, and the unique ways they see the world. Being parents has been one of our most fulfilling and humbling experiences, and it’s given us a deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of human growth.

Our life overseas was rich with purpose but not without struggles. Chris experienced a deep depression that became a pivotal moment in our lives. Emily’s struggle came in facing the gap between her desire to be the perfect mom and the reality that she couldn’t be, which led her to uncover how much of her love was entangled with a deep longing to be loved back and seen as a good mother. These challenges pushed us to pause and look inward, leading to a profound journey of healing, spiritual growth, and self-discovery. We began studying the impact of trauma on the body and mind and received training in trauma-informed care. Along the way, we discovered Internal Family Systems (IFS), a transformative model of therapy that helps individuals access their true, divine Self and bring healing to their inner world.

Chris also explored how plant medicine and other therapeutic coaching practices can support trauma healing and help transition off antidepressants—a path he navigated personally with great care. These experiences taught us that healing isn’t just about addressing pain; it’s about rediscovering your wholeness and unfolding into the person you truly are.

In recent years, our focus has shifted to working with refugees, both online and in person. We partner with an agency in the Czech Republic that serves thousands of people from Ukraine, the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Africa. This work includes taking trips overseas to provide trauma care, staff support, and practical tools for resilience and healing. Whether we’re working face-to-face or online, we’re committed to walking alongside those in greatest need with no access.

Through everything we’ve experienced—both the joys and the challenges—we’ve come to deeply believe that you can’t take someone further than you’ve gone yourself. Our own healing journey has given us empathy, insight, and a passion for coming alongside others in their moments of greatest need.

We love what we do and the amazing people we meet, and we are deeply grateful for the privilege of walking alongside others on their path to healing and transformation.