Just the Facts

Kerry Backstrom

Here are some aspects of my background that contribute significantly to my work with Wholehearted Presence

Education
Training and Certification as an IFS-Informed Practitioner (Internal Family Systems Counseling Association, Canada)
M.A. in Applied Theology (Marylhurst University, Oregon, USA)
Certification in Pastoral Care and Counseling (Marylhurst University, Oregon, USA)
Certification in Dream Work (Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work, California, USA)
Member of The International Association for the Study of Dreams
Training as a Buddhist End-of-Life Care Practitioner (Metta Institute, California, USA)
Membership, and ministry in “Threshold Work,” with Multnomah Friends (Quaker) Meeting (Oregon, USA)
Training in Process-Oriented Psychology (Process Work Institute, Oregon, USA)
B.A. in Human Ecology (College of the Atlantic, Maine, USA)
Various Writing Programs and Fellowships

Present Work
Wholehearted Presence: IFS-informed spiritual care, writing, education, consulting
Support Staff for Internal Family Systems Counseling Association (IFSCA) programs 
Compass Dreamwork: individual and group dreamwork, writing, education
Columnist for DreamTime (journal of the International Association for the Study of Dreams) 
Current Writing Projects: work on a second book (Just Wait), and articles related to IFS and Wholehearted Presence
Past Work
Pastoral Associate: pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, spiritual direction & education at a continuing care retirement community (Mary’s Woods, Oregon, USA)
Spiritual Direction & Program Development: individual spiritual care, workshops, groups (Franciscan Spiritual Center, Oregon, USA)
Spiritual Care Volunteer: acting chaplain, trainer & workshop presenter at an inpatient hospice (Hopewell House, USA)
Compass Points: individual spiritual care, education, writing
Writing and publication, including a book (Just Walk), and many essays and articles related to spiritual care

In 2024, enjoying a fine day
Recent & Ongoing Personal Learning Experiences
Living with Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome, surgeries & hospitalizations: RFS is a degenerative disease caused by intensive cancer treatments, & resulting in a range of health problems.
Living with, and gradually healing from, PTSD associated with medical trauma. 
A personal pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in 2016: walking 500 miles across Spain. Upon my return, I wrote Just Walk about the parallel journeys of the Camino and my advancing illness.
Living in a happy household with my partner, Holly, and our two cats, Oliver & Robin.
In 2019, following major spinal surgery, related to RFS

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