FAQ

ho·lis·tic

adjective

PHILOSOPHY

characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole

MEDICINE

characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the physical symptoms of a disease.

For the past six years, I’ve used the title “Life Doula,” which I coined in 2018 when I started Rocksteady Life. In the past year or so, I’ve made a conscious choice to focus on the death and dying process that occurs in my office. In traditional Death Doula roles, the Death Doula assists people whose bodies are actively dying. 

While I am trained as a Death Doula through INELDA, I find that I hold space for the death of old stories, identities and tethers to bodily-held trauma. This is a very slow and methodical process, which is why I use the word “walker” instead of “doula.” The word Doula also means “servant,” which I find doesn’t fit the work that I am offering. I’m more of a guide or container for my clients and (sometimes literally) walk alongside them as they navigate their deeply held stories that are desperately needing a shift in perspective. 

I am not a licensed therapist and do not accept insurance. Instead, I have set prices and offer a sliding scale fee structure to make my services more accessible. I currently accept various forms of payment: Square, PayPal, Venmo (@RocksteadyLife), Cash App ($rocksteadylife), cash, check, payment via invoicing, trade/barter, etc. Please contact me for more information about billing and cost of services.

Absolutely. The name “Holistic Family Services” is inclusive of all types of people. Whether you have your own family or not, you are part of a family. You are a child, sibling, cousin, aunt/uncle, parent, etc. If you have reached a point in your life where you need help or a dramatic change, I’m here to help you make that leap.

Each session is personally tailored to your specific needs. We might meet at my office for an hour, have a virtual session over Zoom or meet at Lake Como.  Either way, it all depends on you and the services you need (and sometimes the weather). I show up to hold space in whatever capacity you need. 

If you want to meet at my office, you would find parking on the street or in a lot, or take public transportation. There’s an elevator, so you would take it to the 8th floor and make your way to Suite #812. I can always meet you at the front door or elevator, if you prefer. There are bathrooms on each floor and an all gender bathroom on the floor below my office.

The initial consultation is a chance for you to tell me what’s going on in your life; this can be accomplished over the phone, by email, video chat or in person.  It’s also an opportunity for you to decide if my offerings resonate with you. 

Your first intake session is 90 minutes long, whereby we talk about what’s coming up for you at this point in your life. It’s also a chance to create a conversation between our nervous systems – I am a complete stranger and trust is absolutely earned. It takes time, and the opportunity to land and slow down in a new space, for your body to move through dysregulation to find ease and joy.

I also offer a unique “somatic walk-around,” which is a method for identifying patterns that are ready to move or shift and then give your body the chance to move them. As for subsequent sessions, you can find more information under my “offerings” or send me an email.

This is probably the most important question that anyone asks me. I’m not a traditionally trained dietician or a licensed therapist, which is important for some people. I believe that the life you live every day becomes your education and life experience supersedes your degree program.

I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease seventeen years ago and eliminated dairy and sugar from my diet seven years ago. I also have uncommon food allergies, which make it even harder for me to eat outside of my home. When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, my doctor offhandedly told me to eliminate gluten because I had a genetic marker. He wasn’t quite sure if I’d ever develop it, but assured me that it was important to stop eating all of the food I was used to eating. It took almost two years to finally get the gluten out of my life. Nobody was familiar with Celiac Disease back then and I found myself subsisting on hummus and corn chips. I had no idea what to eat and I had nobody to ask.

Today, it’s much easier to find gluten free food, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any easier to change your diet. I’ve watched the evolution of the natural food movement and feel confident that I can help you and/or your family members navigate any type of dietary restriction. A word of warning, though, it’s hard. Family members and friends might forget about the food restrictions or they will act as if it isn’t a big deal. I know this because I’ve lived it and have had to help my children live a gluten and dairy free life.

In addition to my life experiences, I have a Master’s degree in Publishing and Print Culture and have spent a large part of my life teaching. In the past four years, I’ve taken and completed certificate programs in Somatic Experiencing, Holy Fire Karuna Reiki, Holy Fire Animal Reiki, Craniosacral therapy, INELDA End of Life Doula training, Biofield Tuning, Sonic Anatomy and Trauma-informed Yoga.

Rocksteady Life is located at 275 East 4th Street in St. Paul, Minnesota. My office is on the 8th floor in a building full of various practitioners and artists. There are parking lots near the Northwestern Building, as well as on-street parking (you have to pay for parking, unless it’s a Sunday). 

If you are riding the bus, routes 21A, 63 and 70 stop at the Farmer’s Market across the street from the Northwestern Building. You can also take the Metro Green Line to the Union Depot Center.