ABOUT ME

Hey, Friends!

I’m Carley! I am a northerner by heart southern by choice, living my best life in the heart of Virginia. I attended Liberty University in 2010 where I completed a degree in Religion with an emphasis in women’s ministry.

After graduating in 2014, I began full-time work in the mental health field and began to develop a passion for integrative work that combined the principles of counseling practice with the foundation of Christian theology. I soon returned to school to obtain my Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through Regent University in 2016.

Currently, I work as an out-patient therapist by day and creative by night. When I am not with clients or working on my writing, I enjoy good cups of coffee, training for triathlons, and traveling to new places.

I like to think of my story in context of my identity as Christ's child: Loved. Called. Chosen. Equipped. I heard these words in a sermon by Levi Lusko from Fresh Life church many years ago and I have clung to the truth of this identity ever since. Love is where my story begins. At the young age of 12, my heart was forever transformed by the truth that I was a loved and valued child of God. As youngest of three siblings, I quickly took on the role of the “good girl”, dancing along to the expectations of my Christian upbringing. I was known for my bright smile, stubborn personality, and love for Jesus. All the while, my soul secretly waged war within me. My heart longed to trust in the truths of scripture, yet my mirror displayed daily disappointment, dividing my devotion. Like many young women, I sought for acceptance and worth through attempting to control my calories and hide my dissatisfaction behind a mask of maturity. Yet, Jesus met me here, and began to place on my heart a burden for proclaiming truth against the distortions of our culture.

 Through college, I experienced rejection in relentless waves as I navigated new relationships and discovered my call to ministry. I learned in this season, that the Lord desired my heart more than my hands, my worship over my work for Him. As like any good story, the Lord directed my heart to working in a girl's group home shortly after college. Here, is where He grew my passion for integrating the truths of God's Word with the various aspects of counseling, as I was placed on the front lines of a battlefield that battered my soul and deepen my understanding of God's grace.

For the first time, I felt lost, as my work in the mental health field wearied my soul. This season broke me in every way possible. It challenged my heart. It emptied my spirit and shook my faith's foundation. Again, my sweet Jesus met me here. The reality of my sin awaken me to the depth of God's love for me once again. In this season, I made the choice to choose Jesus over the illusion of love and experienced the healing power of Christ's unfailing grace and forgiveness. Through this experience, I was led to pursue a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University in 2016. Currently, I am an LPC in the state of Virginia and have the privilege of working with young women and families facing various difficulties.

Over the last 29 years, I have placed my faith in the life-changing truth of the Gospel, as I have discovered what it means to be called by God, chosen for a purpose, and equipped by the Holy Spirit. In the many chapters of my story, I continue to see the evidence of God's sovereignty again and again. Ephesians 1:4 says, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence." This theme reflects my current path of purpose.

For now, I call Virginia home and it is here, I am learning to trust fully, speak freely, and embrace the beauty in each new day. When I am not working or writing, you will find me outside exploring, in the kitchen cooking, or adventuring with sweet friends. Daily, I am reminded that the Lord has planted me right where I am, so that I may deepen my roots and strengthen my surrender. Whatever the next chapters hold, I desire to trust in the truth that God is writing the most beautiful story…