Sheila graduated with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in 2001. Her studies at Pacifica focused on Depth Psychology, which acknowledges the importance of symbol and metaphor in how we view ourselves and our world. Sheila has extensive experience working with addictions, anger, and depression. She helps her clients tune into their unconscious fears and longings by paying attention to the images which present themselves in session.

Sheila has served as an Adjunct Professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and has mentored professionals new to the field. She is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the California Society for Clinical Social Work, and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. She has given many presentations and workshops to the general public and mental health professionals on working with anger and with using symbol and metaphor to reach a deeper understanding of the internal world. Recent presentations include:

2012: “Anger Management Tools for Everyone.” Presented to 1736 Family Crisis Center, Hermosa Beach, California.

“Understanding Anger.” Free workshop offered quarterly to the general public. Torrance, California.

“Slow Down! Breathe! Tools to Increase Frustration Tolerance and Impulse Control in Children and Adults.” Presented to Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, West Los Angeles Branch.

“Working with Metaphor: Facilitating Growth through the Language of the Unconscious.” Two hour presentation to the Long Beach-South Bay Chapter of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapists.

In 2011: “Working with Metaphor: Facilitating Growth through the Language of the Unconscious.” Six-hour presentation sponsored by The California State University, Dominguez Hills Council.

“Anger Management: Harnessing the Power of Strong Emotion.” Three different two-hour presentation to the South Bay Center for Counseling.

2010: “Anger Management and Beyond: Tools for Quick Relief; Awareness for Lasting Change.” Six-hour presentation sponsored by The California State University, Dominguez Hills Council.

“Anger Management: Harnessing the Power of Strong Emotion.” One-hour presentation to the South Bay/Torrance District of the California Society for Clinical Social Work.

For a variety of options for presentation/workshops, contact Sheila at 25500 Hawthorne Blvd., #1220, Torrance, CA 90505 or email Sheila@ConnectionsCounselCtr.com.

This book is brilliantly illustrated by Tianlu Chen.

Paul Hill on www.vibrantfaith.org tells explains “Internet predators, human traffickers, and pimps of prostitution feed on the vulnerable, naive, and the at-risk. Often their victims are teens. Their crimes are horrific and regularly go unchecked. Toe help you understand what could and is happenings, as well as inoculate yourself and your children, Vibrant Faith Ministries offers two powerful resources–the two volumes of: Parents Arise! Grandparents Arise! by Rev. Al Erickson.” (Thanks to Bethlehem Lutheran Church website of Mpls).

Please read more about Pastor Al Erickson and Pat Malloy at parentsarise.org and more about Vibrant Faith Ministries with Rev. Paul Hill on www.vibrantfaith.org.

Here are more links relating to the show:

Show preview
http://www.andersoncooper.com/episodes/making-money-off-of-murder-and-public-shaming/

Photo of Anderson with survivors and relatives of crime
http://backstage.andersoncooper.com/page/4
which links to larger version:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzi28shrgm1qhmzreo1_1280.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ6IHWSU3BX3X7X3Q&Expires=1330275288&Signature=e1YKC%2FtZlywy35OrphOL9cxdP%2Fk%3D

Murderabilia (+46 comments so far)
http://photos.andersoncooper.com/galleries/murderabilia_from_the_web

Murderabilia 101
http://www.andersoncooper.com/2012/02/15/andy-kahan-murderabilia-101/#coining_the_phrase_murderabilia

Anderson’s Facebook post about the show (+180 comments so far)
https://www.facebook.com/anderson/posts/343880028985665

Anderson’s Facebook post about related laws (+131 comments so far)
https://www.facebook.com/anderson/posts/349231955110118

Anderson’s Facebook poll: Would you ever buy murderabilia?
https://www.facebook.com/anderson/posts/286707818061736

More comments (14 Facebook comments so far)
http://backstage.andersoncooper.com/post/17719865217/families-who-have-been-directly-affected-by-serial

My daughter and I offer a personal view into windows of our lives in hopes of helping those of you who suffer. Our words are simple and speak from our hearts. Our story begins with the car accident, because the accident is where my grandson died and where tragedy created a new woman of the daughter I had borne, raised and relinquished.

Grief is an evergreen universal phenomenon. Go to your fear. This is where you will find your courage

Our lives today

Courtney–Lives independently, finds she loves to cook, is very active in her church, and volunteers on projects. She is regularly in contact with her adult married daughter. She speaks about her life experiences to groups. She continues to design and make jewelry and is now writing a non-fiction book on shadow therapy, a concept she conceived. Her dream is to get a master’s degree in counseling.

Judy still writes non-fiction. She has been columnist over two years for Maximum Living, a magazine focusing on spirituality and women’s health. Her debut novel, Joy Restored, was just released by Desert Breeze Publishing and its sequel, Nurtured in Purple, comes out in June 2012. Jude Urbanski is her pen name and she can be found at her web site  judeurbanski.com  or on her blog judeurbanski.blogspot.com. You may email Judy/Jude at urbanski4u@aol.com.

Speaking Engagements of Courtney and Judy

• Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group, Bridgman, Michigan, March 2012
• Methodist Women’s Group, September 2011
• Ball Hospital TBI Support Group, April 2011

Melody gives talks about the Journeys book to groups of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds.  In February, 2012 Melody spoke to the Stephen Ministry teams at Riverbend Church in Austin and is scheduled to speak at First Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, among others.  In 2011, Melody spoke before the following organizations:

• Tarrytown United Methodist Church, Stephen Ministry Program
• Neighborhood Seder Dinner, Austin, Texas
• St. Mary Catholic Church, Bereavement Care Ministries Team, Wimberley, Texas
• Berkeley United Methodist Church Prime Time Group, Austin, Texas
• Texas InterAgency Council on Aging, Austin, Texas
• University United Methodist Church Guilders, Austin, Texas
• The University of Texas Learning Activities for Mature Persons (LAMP) Program, Austin, Texas
• National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers – South Central Chapter Conference, Grapevine, Texas
• University United Methodist Church Book Signing, Austin Texas