It did take a village to … write the Stress to Strength book! I’m grateful for the community of mentors, colleagues, and great humans, and their intelligence, patience, and love. This is the Acknowledgements page of the book.
When I started my career as a case manager in community mental health, I was lucky to have Dr. Rusty Connor as a supervisor. Then a psychiatric RN and now a Doctor of Nursing, Rusty was the rare clinician who was relaxed, caring, and brilliant. Her review of this book provided encouragement and suggestions for increased clarity. I am grateful for the backpacking time we continue to share.
In 1995 I walked into AMC Cancer Research Center for a job interview. It was the first time anyone met my M.A. in Dance/Movement Therapy with resounding approval – “How cool!” The original team I worked with was innovative and collaborative. Thanks to the original team members: Brenda Kluhsman, Sara Juno, Susan Powell Emsbo, Mira Rubenstein, Deb Zalman, and our leaders Kathleen Garrett, Al Marcus, and Lari Wenzel. Our kind and talented executive secretary Darla Shaffer though retired, jumped in to help with the formatting of the book in the final push to completion.
The women who participated in the MTBCPP study still hold a tender place in my heart. During the ten-month counseling study, they shared their deepest concerns, tears, and the help of the TMSC model. Many created their Personal Expression about their journey through breast cancer. These were moving and beautiful to witness.
The MTBCPP grant was birthed out of a long telephone counseling tradition at AMC, the now closed Cancer Information and Counseling Line – a pre-internet force that helped translate medical information while simultaneously giving psychosocial support and counseling to cancer patients and loved ones. At that time there was only one other national 800# service that addressed medical information inside of a counseling framework.
AMC provided clinical supervision to a depth and breadth that was rare in mental health agencies. The medical side of the training satisfied my original impulse to study medicine. Our clinical supervisor, Meredith Pate-Willig, LCSW, shaped my counseling skills and career, with her huge heart, humor, direct style, and fearlessness in teaching best healing practices for those dealing with the challenge of life-threatening illness, grief, and loss.
Finally, my fellow counselor and mastermind partner of 17 years, Karen DeBolt, shared her indefatigable support and the benefit of her book writing expertise and resources. I’m so thankful for our weekly meetings where I experience her kindness, patience, humor, and wisdom. Our partnership helped me keep perspective throughout the year plus of this book’s creation. Karen referred me to editor Julie Flaming who offered wonderful revision ideas, great editing, and superhuman delivery speed. And to the clients and therapists and wonderful humans I’ve worked with – I salute your courage and depth! Thanks for trusting me and helping me grow to be the best professional and human being I can be. It is a never-ending growth cycle and I’m honored to serve and grow alongside all of you.