Occupation: I am a licensed clinical social worker and a healer. I recently opened Seeking Up Healing in Newtown just this past August. After having prayed, I realized I needed a different calling. I decided to leave being a school social worker and opened up a business based on different modalities of healing in order to let people heal in many different ways. I offer clinical therapy, energy healing that is Reiki- and faith-based, and havening, which is a trauma-based therapy. I’m also a writer and own a blog called seekingup.com where I talk about my near death experience and how it has affected my life and faith.

Family: I have three children: a 13-year-old boy, Rylan; a 10-year-old girl, Addison; and an 8-year-old boy, Bennett. I’ve been married to my husband, Peter, going on 15 years this July. My husband is a lawyer for Hartford Insurance, working in claims. We live in Bethel. The main thing that has been happening in the family for the last few years is that my oldest son has been battling Lyme Disease in the brain, PANDAS/PANS. We’ve been working heavily on advocacy and treatment.

Pets: We have a dog named Blaze. My son, Rylan, has a lizard called Cinnamon.

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to write, pray and meditate, read, spend time with my close girlfriends and my family, float in the ocean — really anything to do with water, and coffee. I also love to kick-box and to travel to Canada to see my best friend.

Do you have a favorite book? My favorite book is Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The book felt like a warm blanket. I love reading anything that encourages transformation. Her way of writing speaks to my soul more than any other.

What is your favorite travel destination? The Cayman Islands. I went a few years ago and had a really intimate encounter with God that changed the course of my life.

What is the best part about Newtown? The community. I feel like everyone I have met is warm, welcoming, and willing to help each other out. Also, I enjoy going for coffee at Panificio for my favorite banana bread sandwich and to Village Perk for sitting by the river.

Who has been the greatest influence in your life? I have two. My first-grade teacher, Mrs Fish. I grew up in Lincoln, R.I., and stayed back in first grade. She was the person that told me not to let anybody tell me I couldn’t do anything. I was labeled as a special ed kid that year and every single time I had an issue — like when I was in high school a guidance counselor told me I would never graduate from high school so don’t even bother — I decided to use the fire in my belly from what she lit in me. No one is going to tell me what I can’t do, and now I have two master’s degrees.

I worked as an intern in Mayor Menino’s office in Boston in the ‘90s when I was in college. His drug czar was named Kattie Portis. When I met her I had no idea what her history was. She was the founder of the first woman’s drug rehab in the country. She had been a crack addict on the side of the road and transformed herself to working with the mayor. She inspired me so much that one person can make such a dramatic difference in people’s lives.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? Jesus. I say that because at age eight I had an experience in Heaven and came back to life. I remember holding His hand and feeling such love and peace. I’ve lived my life wondering why He sent me back. I’d want to talk to Him one-on-one for that reason.

Who is your favorite musical artist? I’m a huge Dave Matthews fan. I also love worship music, including Hillsong.

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? What I had spoken about with Mrs Fish, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you are incapable of doing anything.” People’s judgments don’t have to apply to who you are.

What is something you cannot live without? Coffee, Jesus, and love!

What is your proudest accomplishment? Leaving a job that was toxic to my soul and daring to take a chance on myself and what God was calling me to do.