My Beginning
Coming Home
tending dreams, life & death
In some ways, death has been my companion my entire life, as my two year old sister died 12 days before I was born. My life has been a journey through many therapies, starting at the tender age of nine. Looking back, I see that I have always been traversing this blessed path of my sister’s death, as it has shown up in different disguises. Most recently through my dreams, I have been led back to this, my first and most original calling.
I have come to understand the pain and suffering of my mother, who lost one baby daughter only to birth another days later. I have come to honor my sister’s short life on this earth, as she has led me through the wild nature of grief and loss. Most importantly, I have come to understand that by embracing my pain, I am able to turn what I have gained throughout my life and learning into an offering for those who may benefit. It rings true that where our wounds lie, so lie our most precious gifts.
I feel that we cannot guide anyone through terrain that we have not ourselves traversed. Therefore, I am called to be with those experiencing transitions in their lives. It is with humility that I step out to walk with others towards their home coming, no matter their stage of life.
With a bow to the Mystery, to the beauty and pain that our lives bring, I dedicate this website to my sister, Amy Gaylene Freed.
“Home is not where you are born; home is where all of your attempts to escape cease.”
– Naguib Mahfouz
Training & Education
Psychedelic Guide Training
(Advanced Guiding Practices)
Psychedelic Sitter’s School Level 1 & 2
Medicinal Mindfulness, Boulder, CO
Aug - Dec 2024
Yin Teacher Training
Yoga Pod Boulder, CO
February 2024
End of Life MAID certification
American Clinicians Academy on
Medical Aid in Dying
May 2023
Breathe To Heal Facilitator Training
with Max Strom
2023
Dream Tending Certification 4
Pacifica Institute
Mentors of the Academy of Imaginal Arts and Science Program with Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D.
2022
Dream Tending Certification 3
Pacifica Institute
Advanced Intensive
with Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D.
September 2020 - May 2021
Dream Tending Certification 2
Pacifica Institute
Advanced Intensive
with Stephen Aizenstat, Ph.D.
2019 - 2020
Advanced Dream Tending Level 1
Pacifica Institute
with Dr. Stephen Aizenstat
May 2018 - January 2019
Certified Sacred Passage End of Life Doula
Conscious Dying Institute
July 2018 - September 2018 with Tarron Estes
RYTT 200 Hour Training
Rasa Yoga Center
2013
Certified Nutritional Consultant, CNC
The American Association of
Nutritional Consultant
March 2008
Hellinger Family Constellations
Certificate of Completion
with Stephen Victor
May 27, 2007
Certificate of Lay Ordination
Hollow Bones Zen Dhyana Lineage
with Junpo Denis Kelly
May 31, 2003
Certified Homeopathic Consultant, CHC
Consolidated Health Institute of Colorado
September 1993
BA Sociology
University of Kansas
1985
Gratitude
“If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you it will be enough…”
-Meister Eckart
Thank you to …
~ My beloved mother, father and sister, whom I miss everyday.
~ My brother, Randy, for sharing my history and lineage, and especially for the profound gift of sibling love.
~ My precious daughter, Ari, who I love beyond words. Being your mother has been the biggest healing and joy of my life.
~ My friends that are my family, who have been with me throughout it all ….. there are too many to name, but you know who you are.
~ Katie Teague, my dear friend and photographer for this website, business cards and brochure. www.katieteague.com
~ Cat Caruso, for her gifts, humor and patience, as my awesome graphic and web designer. www.catcaruso.com
