I was first taken to a psychologist for depression, at fourteen years old. My first psychiatric hospitalization happened at nineteen. Over the course of my life, I've seen over thirty-five doctors, therapists, counselors and pastors. I have been on sixteen different psychiatric medications. I learned some valuable things. I'm very grateful for the good help I did receive. I appreciate, both the value and limitations of medication and psychiatric care.

I also learned some painful, heartbreaking lessons. Some doctors were more attentive than others. Some therapists were less sensitive & discerning. Some, well-intentioned advice from clergy, was disastrous. Some medications brought temporary relief. Some, definitely made me worse. I gained seventy pounds on my five-foot frame; which made me more depressed. I experienced horrible night terrors & memory loss.

One helpful treatment I received was through a DBT (dialectic behavioral therapy) program. There, I learned about mindfulness. When Christ-centered, this scripture-based skill is invaluable & life-changing. I'm eternally grateful for several wonderful exercises I was taught, that did make a difference. The doctors, social workers & therapists in that program were some of the most kind & helpful professionals I've ever known. 

DBT did not, however; address demons, generational curses or the complexity of our divine design - very real factors in mental illness. Not every psychiatric disorder is demonic in nature, but wherever a disorder or unhealed trauma exists, they take advantage & aggravate it. When I became triggered or stressed, I'd revert to old behaviors all over again. Believers are five-fold beings: A soul attached to a spirit, operated by a heart & mind, in a body. The warfare against our sanity is real & must be addressed in all areas. Implementing I AM (Intentional Awareness Mindset) skills, keeps our focus on I Am, our Creator & Healer. I also learned very helpful teaching from Emotionally Healthy Discipleship teaching, the work of Pete & Geri Scazzero, who pastored me for sixteen years.

Obeying the Word of God healed me. Loving God with my heart, soul, mind & body; changed everything. In my healing process, Holy Spirit would reveal practices I was to repeat in order to renew my mind. Bondages were broken. My oldest wounds were healed. I learned what real forgiveness is & how to truly love myself & others. I began to wisely care for my body. With loving, wise support, I slowly stopped all medications. My last psychiatrist told me I would not last six months. It has been over 12 years now; over 11 years, med-free. All thanks & glory to God. I've been through some very painful storms since then & have never reverted to suicidal ideation, manic depression or cutting. This process began in 2012 & continues. I am free, indeed.

SMA skills teach soul alignment, based on the four R's of Restoration: Repenting, Renewing, Reconnecting & Retraining. When we give Christ access to every "room in our house", healing begins. 

Holy Spirit is a person, who can't be reduced to a formula. These skills aren't magic. They do, however; provide ways to become more aware & connected to Him, our most worthy Helper. He truly is the Wonderful Counselor who teaches, heals, delivers & strengthens. Without Him, nothing works. 

While I'm not a doctor, I have plenty of experience being a patient! I tried everything to be well, a long time; with minimal or temporary results. This course is

my story & healing journey, along with biblical & scientific study that ultimately enabled me to function as the person God created me to be.

May you be inspired to learn & apply these skills, develop your own along the way; finding power, love & your sound mind - in Jesus' name!