My faith was rooted early
I grew up surrounded by women of faith: my grandmothers, Big Granny and Mama Ruby, and my Aunt Linda. They laid the foundation of my relationship with God, and by age 11, I knew He had called me to ministry.
When faith and mental health collided
In my early and mid-twenties, I struggled with severe anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia. I knew what it was like to be overwhelmed by my own thoughts and to struggle with things that seemed simple for everyone else.
What made it harder was what I believed about myself. I loved God. I prayed. I believed His Word. So why was I struggling? For a long time, I wondered if my anxiety meant I lacked faith.
I did everything I knew to do: doctor's appointments, medication, fasting, prayer. I was desperate. And one day, I realized I couldn't win this by trying harder. I couldn't control what was happening in my mind or my body.
So I stopped trying. I told God,
"You're in control. I surrender. Whatever You have planned for my life, so be it."
From there, my relationship with God changed. I began talking with Him all through my day, like a trusted friend, bringing Him into every decision, big and small. I went deeper into Scripture than I ever had before.
I can't fully explain it, but I began to get better.
My story is my own. God works through many means, including prayer, Scripture, community, and good care. If you're receiving treatment, please don't make changes without talking with your provider.
What I came to understand is what I now want every person I serve to know: struggling with your mental health doesn't mean you've failed spiritually. Faith and emotional struggle can exist at the same time, and needing support doesn't diminish your trust in God.
The experience that changed my direction
Years later, one of my children experienced a mental health crisis. As a mother and a nurse, I searched for quality care and resources, and discovered how hard it was to find the support our family needed.
That experience sent me back to school to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I wanted to be part of closing the very gap I had experienced.
At the same time, people kept confiding in me about anxiety, depression, trouble focusing, and the weight of everyday life. Many were people of faith: showing up for their families, serving in their churches, and quietly struggling behind the scenes. Some were questioning their faith because of it.
I understood, because I had lived it.
Why I created Psalm for the Soul
Psalm for the Soul grew out of my story, my clinical background, and my calling to ministry. It's a space where Christians can be honest about their emotional struggles, understand themselves better, and get practical support without having their faith questioned.
Today, I help people recognize the patterns that keep them stuck, like overthinking, people-pleasing, perfectionism, needing to control everything, or always putting themselves last, and practice healthier ways of thinking, responding, and living.
