Hi, I’m Denise Barnes, founder of Soul Savvy, and author of the Money Monk eZine.  You might want to know how I got here, as a coach and therapist helping artists and healers increase their money mindfulness.

I’ve always been passionate about how people do or do not use their gifts. It was one of those things I’d always ask adults about – what they really love to do. I was so struck, and saddened, by their responses when they expressed regret. “Oh, I could have done X, but Y got in the way, and ….”

Even then, I’d insist, “It’s not too late, Grandpa!” Yet, life is complicated I’d learn. With time, I understood a bit more about how tough choices sometimes need to be made - jobs get chosen over gifts.

As one of eight kids, money was tight. This had its gifts – love was abundant and I became a champion of resourcefulness. But that cheerleader role hid a lot of fears. The imprint of my childhood money trauma stayed with me way beyond those formative years. It became an invitation to growth. 

As a spiritual seeker, I found there are many focuses one’s path can take. Relationship can be a core area for spiritual work, as can career, health, communication, and on it goes. In the last decade, I realized the power of money as a spiritual training ground. Immediate feedback is available, and the work really can impact life and resources – who we are, what we give.

I had to confront a lot of issues to get to a place of peace with money. No enlightenment is static and at times challenges spring up. Having created a sacred kind of ground with finances as a foundation, and a sense of a path of integrity with money – I can tell you – it’s a huge relief. It is doable. And it benefits you, your loved ones, and the world.

Credentials, Training and the Rest

I’ve been coaching since 2004, and been a therapist since 1989, licensed in CO since ‘97. I’ve worked with all kinds of people with all kinds of concerns.  In addition to strong and practical counseling and coaching skills, I employ intuition, mind-body psychology, and the power of humor and compassion.

I am a licensed therapist, and have an advanced somatic psychology certification (ADTR). I’ve trained in energy healing and massage. I’ve been on a spiritual path since my early 20’s, and started my Naropa training at 22. That was after deciding that being a doctor would take too long. (And well, I have some work as a cancer counselor – and an emergency psychiatric worker – both of which give me some of that medical exposure.)

And then there’s the performance work. I’m a singer, performance artist, character comic – have had a one woman show in Boulder’s International Fringe Festival. I’ve been a member of an outrageous performance troupe, Vox Feminista, years back. Lead singer in a rock band. Do acoustic guitar/solo shows. Currently working on a new comedy piece.

And yup, I have a day job right now. I’m big on having multiple streams of income, and continually expanding skill sets. I work in the cancer prevention field, as a counselor and trainer. Working on a team is a nice balance to working alone.

But of course, my highest ranking credential is my cosmic one – my date of birth. December 21st. The return of the light. Well, in the “lightworker” realm, this is a high honor. Although that night before the dawn can be a long one.

I welcome you to email me about your money work. And do join the mail list for soul savvy thoughts about how to increase your mindfulness with the moolah.

 Let’s keep in touch.

Here’s how to get started:
Click here for the free Workbook: The 4 Keys to Healthy Wealth: Money and Beyond. You’ll also get 2 free articles a month from the MoneyMonk ezine – an inspirational dialogue for using your gifts and creating healthy finances.

Click here to send me a question or comment about your authentic work challenges. I look forward to hearing from you.