The Impact of Silent Injury
This week, I found myself studying a psychological concept that I have heard of and know of but
had never taken time to dig into. I recognize this week’s blog is a little less personal than some,
but I found this topic timely and felt this was a blog that needed to be written.
In the realm of psychological wounds, there is a term that often goes unspoken, yet its impact on
individuals, particularly those who serve in high-stakes environments like ministry can be
profound – this is the often silent wound known as moral injury.
Moral injury occurs when an individual experiences a deep sense of guilt, shame, or betrayal
after witnessing or participating in actions that go against their deeply held moral beliefs. Unlike
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is largely rooted in fear-based trauma, moral injury
stems from ethical and moral transgressions. These transgressions can arise when someone:
*Witnesses acts of violence or suffering they believe are unjust.
*Engages in actions they later view as morally wrong, whether willingly or under duress.
*Feels a deep sense of betrayal by leaders or systems that were supposed to protect ethical
values.
One of the complexities of moral injury is that it often flies under the radar. Many of those
affected may not even recognize what they’re experiencing. They might describe feelings of
intense guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness. Some might feel they can never forgive themselves
or be forgiven for the actions they’ve witnessed or participated in. The weight of moral injury can manifest in a variety of ways:
*Depression and anxiety: The internal conflict between what someone did or witnessed
and what they believe is right can lead to ongoing mental health challenges.
*Loss of faith or purpose: For those with strong spiritual beliefs, moral injury can cause a
deep spiritual crisis, as they grapple with the disconnect between their faith and their
actions.
*Alienation: People suffering from moral injury often withdraw from their communities,
feeling as though they no longer belong or are unworthy of connection.
Healing from moral injury requires more than traditional therapeutic approaches aimed at
treating trauma. While talk therapy, medication, or exposure therapy can be helpful, the key to
healing moral injury often lies in:
*Moral repair: Acknowledging the moral wound and finding ways to reconcile one’s
actions with their values.
*Community support: Connection with others who understand or share similar experiences
can alleviate the sense of isolation.
*Forgiveness: For many, the journey involves seeking forgiveness, both from others and
from themselves. Spiritual or faith-based practices can play a critical role here.
*Acts of restitution: Sometimes, engaging in acts of service or restitution can help restore
a sense of moral balance.
Moral injury is deeply complex, and each person’s path to healing will be different. But
recognizing its existence and providing space for people to process these deeply held wounds is
the first step toward repair. As we continue to learn more about the psychological impact of war,
crisis, and high-stress professions, it becomes clear that healing moral injury requires both
personal and collective effort.
If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings related to moral injury, know that you are
not alone. Help is available, and there is hope for healing through understanding, connection, and
compassionate care.
The Art of Surrender
I have been thinking a great deal lately about the topic of Holy Indifference and the art of
surrender. I cannot pinpoint where this topic first begun for me, but I do know that everyday over
the past month or so, this has been a theme of thought.
In case you are not familiar with the term, it is important to note that Holy Indifference does not
mean apathy or a lack of concern. On the contrary, it is an active spiritual state in which one
becomes fully open to God’s will, detached from personal preferences or outcomes. It’s a
willingness to embrace whatever life brings — joy, suffering, success, failure — with trust and
peace. Rooted in Ignatian spirituality, this concept teaches that the only thing worth desiring is
what brings us closer to God. Everything else is secondary.
I have come to realize that at the very heart of holy indifference is freedom. By letting go of our
attachments, we open ourselves up to a freedom that allows us to love and serve more fully. St.
Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, wrote about the importance of this inner
detachment, where the soul becomes free to follow God’s will, unburdened by personal agenda.
It’s not about denying human desires or emotions but about holding them with an open hand. We
still feel pain, we still experience joy, but we don’t cling to them as if they define us. Instead, we
find peace in the certainty that God’s plan is greater than our understanding.
As we each know all too well, Life is full of uncertainties — illness, job changes, relationship
struggles, and more. When we cling to control, we end up in a constant state of anxiety. Holy
indifference offers another way: to trust that all things, whether good or bad, are part of a larger
divine tapestry. It doesn’t mean passively accepting injustice or hardship, but instead, finding
serenity in the midst of action.
For example, if you’re striving for a promotion or working toward a personal goal, holy
indifference means working hard, while also being open to whatever outcome unfolds. It’s about
saying, “I want this, but I trust that God knows what’s best for me, even if it’s different from
what I envision.”
This spiritual indifference requires deep faith and trust, but it is also liberating. We surrender the
illusion of control and allow ourselves to be led by something greater. This act of surrender is not
passive but active, calling us to engage with life from a place of trust and peace, rather than fear
and control.
And how do we do this exactly? I suggest the following:
- Daily Prayer: Regular prayer helps nurture the habit of seeking God’s will in all things.
Begin your day with the prayer, “Lord, may your will be done,” and repeat it when you
feel tempted to control outcomes. - Practice Detachment: Reflect on the areas where you feel most attached — whether it’s
your career, relationships, or personal achievements. Gradually practice detaching from
these, not by neglecting them, but by recognizing they are not the ultimate goal. - Discernment: Holy indifference doesn’t mean avoiding decisions. It means discerning
God’s will with clarity, free from excessive attachment to particular outcomes. Practice
asking, “How can I serve God’s purpose in this situation?” - Acceptance of the Present: Learn to embrace the present moment, even when it’s not
what you expected. Holy indifference invites us to fully engage with life as it unfolds,
trusting that each moment holds purpose, even when it’s not immediately clear.
Holy indifference is a lifelong practice, a spiritual discipline that offers peace in the midst of
uncertainty. It invites us to trust that every twist and turn of our lives is leading us toward greater
union with God. By letting go of our need to control, we discover a profound freedom and joy —
a peace that transcends our understanding.
I invite you this day to engage in a surrendering stance of Holy Indifference.
Let the Fall Begin!
There are two specific events that signal to me that fall has arrived – and a word of warning,
these are very New Mexico-centric! One is the smell of roasting green chile and the other is the
Burning of Zozobra. Being a Native New Mexican, and one who has spent the majority of my
life in the Northern part of the state, I can easily say I am not alone in my fondness of these
indicators of the turning of the seasons, but I can also easily say that my nostalgia for these
events is deeply personal and woven into the fabric of my memories.
The aroma of green chile roasting over an open flame is more than just a seasonal scent; it’s a
signal of the harvest, a reminder of home, and an invitation to gather around the kitchen table
with loved ones. Likewise, the Burning of Zozobra, an annual tradition in Santa Fe where a giant
effigy known as Old Man Gloom is set aflame, represents a collective release of troubles and a
communal welcoming of the new season. These events not only mark the passage of time but
also provide a comforting rhythm to the year, a reassurance that no matter what happens, some
traditions remain steadfast.
In the world of therapy, there is a well-known set of writing techniques based on the premise that
writing your thoughts down in an expressive way is a tried-and-true method of dissipating
complex memories and emotions. These techniques include standard journaling, using prompts
to dig deeper into one’s psyche, and even the ritual of safely storing or destroying the written
words—sometimes through shredding, dissolving with water, or burning. Much like the Burning
of Zozobra, these acts can symbolize a release, a way to acknowledge and let go of the past.
We each have our own indicators of fall, those unique markers that signal the change in seasons,
both external and internal. For some, it might be the crunch of leaves underfoot or the return of a
favorite sweater. For others, it’s the tangible shift in light as the days grow shorter. But beyond
the sensory cues, there’s often a deeper, more introspective shift—a time to reflect on what
we’ve harvested over the year and what we’re ready to release. Just as New Mexicans gather to
watch Old Man Gloom go up in flames, we too can use this time to consider what burdens we are
ready to burn away, what memories we are prepared to let dissolve like the smoke rising into the
autumn sky.
Fall, in its quiet transformation, invites us to acknowledge both the beauty and the necessity of
change. And as the green chile roasts and Zozobra burns, I am reminded that with each ending
comes the promise of renewal—a fresh start, a new season, and perhaps, a little less gloom.
Blessings to you on this journey,
Rev. Dr. Kelly Jackson Brooks, LPCC
Executive Director
‘Tis a Gift to be Simple
Some of you may be wondering, “What exactly am I looking at in this photo? Is that a frog?”
Your questions are justified and yes, what you are looking at is indeed a frog and more than a
frog, it’s a frog flowerpot that I have owned since I was a very young girl. My mother is an avid
flower gardener and worked to instill this passion in me and as a hook in her plan, she purchased
this child-like frog flowerpot to get me started. And yes, I plant some sort of flowering foliage in
this very sentimental pot every year!
Something to know about me is I do not keep a great deal of physical positions, specifically
physical positions that do not serve a purpose. My loving older brother literally once told me that
I was “The least sentimental person he knows.” I do not collect tchotchke, I do not keep books
that I have already read, I do not appreciate trip trinkets. Rather, I love going and experiencing
places, cultures that are different than mine, and great food with friends and family. I am one of
those who spends money and time on travel, and I collect experiences and memories. So, the fact
that I have kept and moved this 1970s-style frog flowerpot certainly say’s something.
I deeply believe that what and who we surround ourselves with say’s more about what our values
are than we truly take time to consider. Are you a collector of items of interest? Do you like to
remember your adventures through photos and mementoes? Do you proudly display your
achievements on your office walls? There are meanings and reasons behind each of the decisions
we make in what and how we share with others what holds meaning and space for us.
This week, I encourage you to take time looking around the spaces in which you occupy. What
does what you own and how you share these pieces of you say about you? Is the message you are
sharing the message you want to convey?
Americana
Growing up, my extended family would gather in a New Mexico ski resort town every year for
the 4 th of July holiday. This sleepy mountain town where we gathered for our annual family
reunion existed purely on tourism and during the winter months, this was a busy village filled
with skiers and snowboarders alike. To the villages credit, they had managed to provide a
smattering of summer activities for the non-skiers of the world with a green mountain backdrop
that was perfect for my family.
What I remember from my family 4 th hot summer gatherings, was a swimming pool, an ice-cold
river where you could wade barefoot in the water, a ski-lift scenic ride, trinket shops, and the
culmination of the town’s annual 4 th of July parade. This parade was all a small-town Americana
parade should be and it never disappointed me! The parade consisted of locals riding in
decorated trucks throwing candy to the crowd, a few convertibles with politicians smiling
joyfully in the open tops, the local high school band belting out all the 4 th favorites, and a local
civic club driving mini cars and handing out mini–American Flags.
Following the parade, my extended family would quickly gather in one of the many families
rented cabins for burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, and dessert – lots of dessert! I remember this
time being joyful as the family gathered and shared stories of their past and hopes for the future.
To me, this is what this season is all about. It’s about people who care for each other, gathering
and simply sharing life together. It’s about recognizing all the privileges we have and
recognizing those who gave of themselves to ensure these privileges to the whole.
I recognize, that because we are humans with individual human experiences, thoughts, and
voices, we have varying opinions on the logistics and intricacies of this holiday. I also recognize
and deeply believe that this season has a special beauty to it because of the ability to share our
varying experiences, thoughts, and opinions.
I encourage you to take a moment this holiday to say thank you and to celebrate the privilege of
Americana with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Lessons From Landscapes
A month or so ago, my spring travels found me in Pittsburgh, PA. I was attending the Festival of
Homiletics as both an attendee and a host of a Chrysalis Counseling For Clergy booth. I have
attended this event for several years and I have developed a fondness for this gathering for many
reasons: 1) For the ecumenical gathering aspect and 2) For the physical annual shift in location
that allows for a person like me to see parts of the country I may not otherwise consider.
A few things to note about the City of Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh is known for its industrial past, and
the city’s landscape is marked by a bold juxtaposition of old steel mills and modern skyscrapers.
The transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a hub of innovation and green spaces
demonstrates a community’s ability to dominate and reshape its environment. Pittsburgh’s
landscape design reflects resilience and reinvention, showcasing how a community can assert its
presence and adapt over time. This city is intrigued to me, and I initially could not name what it
was that gave me pause, but I believe it has something to do with the very counter-cultural aspect
to the environment in which I live – the two cityscapes are simply two very different places
culturally and architecturally, and I think the two have something to do with one-another.
In contrast to Pittsburgh, the NM lanscape in which I live and have been raised in, is renowned
for its unique architectural style and harmonious relationship with the natural environment. The
adobe buildings, with their earth-toned hues, seamlessly blend with the desert landscape. The
area’s design philosophy emphasizes sustainability and respect for the surrounding ecosystem.
Here, community members often prioritize integration with their environment, reflecting a desire
to be part of a greater whole rather than to stand out (although there are always the exceptions!).
This approach fosters a sense of unity and continuity with the past and nature.
As I reflect on these two environments, I am reminded of how we as people show up and
approach others and situations in our communities. What lessons are we to learn from the
landscape and architecture in which we dwell? Do we show up with a sense of resilience and
reinvention much like that of Pittsburgh PA, or do we show up in a more harmonious and
unifying manner as is displayed in the cities and towns of NM? Or, do we choose to blend the
two depending on our mood or context?
I think we have a great deal to learn from our experiences – both our experiences with people
and in our experiences of observation of culture and landscape. My wish for you this week is that
you reflect on how you embody your experiences and observations in this world, and how they
make you who we are in how you show up in this world.
Holy Week
As we enter into Holy Week, I wanted to share something a little different than past traditional
blog post – I wanted to share something you could actively engage in.
This week, I invite you to participate in this interactive approach in experiencing Holy Week that
I hope you find introspective, enlightening, and most of all – hopeful.
Welcome to Holy Week –
Your Chrysalis Team
Exploring the Depths: Stations of The Cross
Welcome to Exploring the Depths: An Interactive View of the Stations of The Cross. This 7-
Station in-depth reflection will take you throughout the city of Albuquerque NM to reflect,
meditate, and pray. If you are not in the city, an image and/or information has been hyperlinked
so you can participate wherever you are located. Feel free to customize to reflect your
community.
Please take time during Holy Week to complete the exercise, or feel free to explore each station
in one day. We just ask that you take time to fully take in the experience.
Blessings on the journey.
Station 1: Jesus Prays (Matthew 26:36-41)
Place: Public Labyrinth @ The Center For Action and Contemplation, Richard Rohr
https://cac.org/about/visitor-center.org
Thoughts: Prayer takes so many forms – Folded hands, a rosary, kneeling, and words in a
prayer book, are all images that come to mind. Jesus in Gethsemane is also a powerful
picture of prayer. The image comes into even greater relief when the disciples are
pictured sleeping a stone’s throw away. I also see labyrinths used a lot to represent
prayer. The labyrinth is a centuries old type of walking prayer. It is not a direct path; just
like prayer is often not a direct path. Instead, the labyrinth’s circumlocution awakens us
to the twists and turns of our own lives. Unlike mazes which try to confuse walkers, the
labyrinth’s non-linear path is designed to invite the pilgrim to pay close attention to their
heart space as they make their journey to the center. The path of Holy Week does not
move in a straight line. Instead, the last week of Jesus’ life is a journey to the cross
marked by intimacy, emotions, pathos, surprise, grief, and even joy.
Questions for Reflection:
1) As you walk the labyrinth, what distracts you as you journey to the center?
2) What does the center of the labyrinth represent for you? Similarly, what do the outer
rings symbolize? The inner rings? The entrance/exit?
3) Is there an invitation for you through your experience of immersing yourself in the
labyrinth?
Station 2: Jesus is Betrayed (Mark 14:43-46)
Place: Public Mirror Mural Project https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/event/making-
mosaic-mirrors-part-1/56033/
Thoughts: What we see happening in the world is a reflection of what is happening
within us. When we notice arrogance and greed around us, it’s often because we are
working with unconscious arrogance and greed from within. The indignation we feel
toward someone is the indignation we have ourselves. I am often reminded to look
internally when I look externally.
Questions for Reflection:
1) In what ways do you project your own feelings of self onto others?
2) How you attempt to control the uncontrollable in others or in the world around you?
3) What are ways you can work on your realm of control to best prepare you to be
present in those areas you have no control?
Station 3: Jesus is Condemned (Luke 22:66-71)
Place: Courthouse Corner Bernalillo County Metro Court 401 Lomas Blvd, NW;
Second Judicial District Court Bernalillo County 400 Lomas NW; Pete V
Domenici US Courthouse 333 Lomas Blvd, NW
https://www.cabq.gov/community-services/safety-legal/courts-and-legal
Thoughts: Our lot in life is not so easily determined by how “good” or “bad” we
are. We so often condemn or forgive according to our whims. If I am angry or
feeling self-righteous, I may not give you compassion or empathy. If you are
hungry, you may lose your patience with me quickly. This black and white, wrong
or right, up or down, in our outward way of seeing the world is called dualism. The
reality is that the two-sided coin we hold is an illusion made up by our self-
centered collective egos. It is not either/or, but both/and. There are always
multidimensional ways of seeing. What if we started seeing in this non-dualistic
way?
Questions for Reflection:
1) How do we seek justice while also showing compassion and empathy?
2) How did Jesus seek justice while also showing compassion and empathy?
3) How have we, as a society and individually, skewed the word justice to be synonymous
with revenge?
Station 4: Jesus is Mocked (John 19:1-3)
Place: Washington Middle School Shooting August 13 th 2021
https://abcnews.go.com/US/middle-schooler-fatally-shot-fellow-student-
albuquerque/story?id=79402045
Thoughts: The mocking, shaming, taunting, belittling, disparaging of others is some of
the vilest actions we as humans engage in. Some of these actions are more overt than
others, while more are much more nuanced and commonplace. These traumatic acts have
long-lasting impacts on both parties – the offenders and the victims – and we embed
these acts as individuals and as a society in various ways.
Questions for Reflection:
1) What do we feel when we are mocked?
2) How do people often respond when someone near the, including their friends, are
mocked? How do you respond?
3) When considering our scripture and Station where someone stood up for another and was
murdered, does it make sense why Jesus’ friends said and did nothing?
Station 5: Jesus is Crucified (Luke 23:33-34)
Place: New Mexico State University/University New Mexico Shooting November 23,
2022 https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35060858/new-
mexico-state-new-mexico-basketball-game-postponed-shooting
Thoughts: Life is sacrificial. We can’t seem to help but interact with, and bring about
death no matter what we do or how we live, but we can be more conscious of it.
Becoming conscious of the sacredness of all life is transformative.
Questions for Reflection:
1) How do we acknowledge the reality From dust we come, to dust we shall return?
2) What does it mean to recognize the sacredness in yourself and in others? How does this
affect how you live your life in the day-to-day?
3) Re-read Luke 23:33-34 and reflect on 1-2 words to consider throughout your day. What
do these words say or mean to you. How do you use these words or phrases to elevate
your sense of sacredness?
Station 6: Jesus Dies (Luke 23: 44-46)
Place: West Mesa Women and Descanso
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Mesa_murders
https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2023/10/descansos-roadside-memorials/
Thoughts: Jesus’ death by the Romans, was meant to be part spectacle and part
deterrence. Make no mistake about it, the Romans demonstrated through their policy of
public execution that they had zero tolerance for those who wished to step out of line.
Like the cartels in Juarez, Mexico who hang bodies from bridges, or what is happening in
Haiti right now, death on display can be an effective way to scare people. But what about
death in the dark? What about the innumerable people who are “disappeared?” What
about the nameless, the trafficked, and the discarded? Perhaps in some ways, their deaths
are even more terrifying. In a world without justice anyone’s life can become
disposable. Thank God that there were those who were willing to grieve through the
Roman spectacle so that they could be near the Jesus that they loved. May we all find a
way to stand as witnesses to the ones who have been disappeared.
Questions for Reflection:
1) Read Luke 23: 44-46. What do you feel when you read, “Jesus breathed his last?”
2) Allow your imagination to place you at the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. What do you
see, hear, feel, in the crowd? Can you look upon Jesus’ face? What does this moment in
the story of Holy Week say to you in terms of discipleship and what it means to follow
the Master?
3) How have you been invited to stand witness for someone who has died? How do you
bear witness to family members or loved ones who have died? How do you honor them
or remember them? What would be a way for you to remember the nameless and
forgotten?
Station 7: Jesus Rises Easter Sunrise – Home Service
As Holy Weeks ends and we come to our 7 th Station of the Cross on this Easter morning, we
journey to the tomb with Mary Magdalene and discover the stone is rolled away. An empty grave
remains and with joy, we discover that Christ Jesus has risen.
This morning, you are invited to seek a quiet space where you can minimize interruptions and
take a few moments to enter the silence and beauty of this Easter morning.
Let yourself sink deeply into the quiet and invite God in. Read through the order of service – the
liturgy, poems, and scripture. Pay attention to the words, the sounds – what you are reading and
hearing. As you read and hear, notice which words or phrases catch your attention.
Take time to journal your thoughts or impressions:
What new ways of seeing or hearing are opening for you?
What truth do you hear that intersects with the unfolding of your life?
What parts call you to be present or to see in an entirely different way?
How does this worship reflect or resonate with your own experience? What
insights does it spark?
Sunrise Service – Order of Service
Call to Worship
Christ has risen! Christ has risen indeed.
Faith, hope, and joy are alive.
A new age is dawning, and death cannot harm us.
Prayer
Creator God, I am here in the early morning of your Resurrection. I have been mourning and
weeping, believing that you have been taken from us. Instead, you meet me in the garden of new
life. Here, in this sacred place, I discover that you are alive, that sin and death cannot defeat you.
Now my tears of sorrow turn to tears of joy as I fully experience your very presence. Today, I sit
and listen, and I begin to understand that joy comes from grief. You call me again and again to
go into the world to share this good news, and because I am never left alone, I am reminded to
pray…Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Reading
John 20:1-18
Poetry for Meditation
When Death Comes by Mary Oliver
When death comes like the hungry bear in autumn; when death comes and takes all the bright
coins from his purse to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; when death comes like the measle-pox;
when death comes like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, I want to step through the door
full of curiosity, wondering: what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, and I look upon time as
no more than an idea, and I consider eternity as another possibility, and I think of each life as a
flower, as common as a field daisy, and as singular, and each name a comfortable music in the
mouth, tending, as all music does, toward silence, and each body a lion of courage, and
something precious to the earth.
When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder if I
have made of my life something particular, and real. I don’t want to find myself sighing and
frightened, or full of argument. I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
The Death of Death By Scott Cairns
Put fear aside. Now that he has entered into death on our behalf, all who live no longer die as
men once died. That ephemeral occasion has met its utter end. As seeds cast to the earth, we will
not perish, but like those seeds shall rise again—the shroud of death itself having been burst to
tatters by love’s immensity.
Benediction
Take time to simply sit in silence and as the closing benediction, you are invited to compose your
own short prayer as a response. Amen
Chrysalis – The Humble Beginnings
In January 2020, I defended my dissertation for my Doctorate in Ministry with Claremont School of Theology focusing on sustainable clergy rest and renewal practices. Shortly after my return from defending what felt like a life-long piece of art, a colleague said to me, “Good for you, now you can hang your diploma on your wall and put your dissertation in your bookshelf so both can collect dust.” I was a bit taken back, but almost in an instant made the decision to take that comment as a challenge and a discernment point as to what to do next.
Within a month, I was asked to consider repeating the retreat I had facilitated in 2019 as a part of my DMIN project – the word seemed to be out that the retreat was helpful, beneficial, and much needed for clergy who were experiencing tenderness in ministry. As I began to plan a second retreat, I began receiving requests for therapy from clergy and to speak to therapist about working with clergy who were struggling in the field – in addition to being an ordained United Methodist Pastor, I am also an independently licensed mental health counselor, and a counselor Continuing Education provider.
As 2020 progressed and COVID became a reality within the states, the requests to work with fellow clergy and counselors continued to grow. It was clear, fellow clergy needed specialized mental health services and mental health providers needed a place to be trained in order to best serve clergy.
Before long, I was sharing my thoughts about beginning a non-profit with close friends and colleagues. As I shared my thoughts, faces lit up, and personal stories were shared. The need was clear, and soon Chrysalis Counseling for Clergy, a 501(c)3 (originally named: Chrysalis Counseling Center For Clergy) was born.
Since the organization’s inception in 2019, Chrysalis has served 132 individual clergy members through eleven Rest & Renewal Retreats (2 in 2019; 1 in 2020; 2 in 2021; 2 in 2022; 3 in 2023; 1 in 2024…); 48 tele-mental health clients; 32 clergy served through three Covenant Group cycles; and 78 mental health therapists have been provided with continuing education units through CEU workshops….and we keep going!
I am humbled to be part of this organization and I am always open to talking more about the services we offer – Please contact us for more information.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Dr. Kelly Jackson Brooks, LPCC
Learn More
Feeling The Darkness – Finding The Light In Ministry
I was recently asked about my thoughts on the phrases:
“Hurt people, Hurt people” and “Silent people kill churches.”
It took me a bit to ponder these thoughts for myself, as I have so often used these phrases as a therapeutic tool in the sacred space found in my therapy room. I don’t know how these two phrases have, or have not, played a role in your lives but I would like you to consider: Have you ever felt supported by individuals but not believed by an institution? Have you ever felt hurt by the hurt, or silence? Have you ever found yourself the perpetrator of the hurt or the one who is asking another to keep silent?
The reality is, there are many ways that hurt and silence bring us to a place of darkness – regardless of who is initially causing these feelings because in the end, we all ultimately feel the darkness in these situation.
So how then, do we find the light in ministry and beyond?
We listen. We affirm. We remain steadfast to those who we have covenanted with even when it’s dark because friends, we are promised the light.
The Chrysalis Team is here to offer support and guidance in the darkness and back into the light.
Care to you this day,
The Chrysalis Team
Learn More
When the Bottom Drops Out
At Chrysalis Counseling for Clergy we acknowledge how difficult ministry can be. The demands placed upon pastors and ministry leaders today are complex and varied in ways heretofore not experienced. Not only is the sheer practice of ministry more and more complicated, but the effects of this stressful environment on the overall health of ministry leaders are profound as well. In short, we know that being a pastor takes its toll in physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and sometimes financial ways. Many pastors are able to maintain some semblance of balance in the midst of this stress. But sometimes the bottom drops out. What do we do then?
Over the course of my 30 plus years working the church the bottom has dropped out on me twice. The first time was a maelstrom of burnout, depression, stress, and health issues. When the bottom dropped out that time I had to seek professional help to get my footing back. In this case, my therapist, close friends, and family, were able to help me see that I needed help. I also learned in this situation that often when the bottom drops out our judicatory leaders aren’t prepared to help, or don’t want to help. Instead the people closest to us come to our aid.
The second time the bottom dropped out for me was when I was told that there was no longer any place for me where I was working in ministry. In this case the issues were external—loss of a job—rather than mental and physical health issues. However, the feeling was all too familiar. Suddenly I was in a no-man’s land of vocational and personal identity. Additionally the fear of financial hardship and questions of what would be next were constantly on my mind. In some ways this experience felt like a scene out of Job where everyone had a great idea for what I should do next. However, in spite of the good intentions of those dear friends, when the bottom falls out it is hard to find the footing necessary to make even the simplest of decisions.
I share these stories as an invitation. At Chrysalis Counseling for Clergy we are deeply concerned for pastors whose engagement in ministry takes its toll on the pastor themselves. If you’re struggling with burnout, with depression, with vocational identity issues, or if you are feeling like the bottom is dropping out, reach out to us. Chrysalis Counseling for Clergy is staffed by licensed therapists who understand the demands of ministry—because we are pastors ourselves.
There is hope!
The Chrysalis Counseling for Clergy Team
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