Colleen Linnertz began her own journey as a counselor working with HIV clients in the early 90's. Many of her clients experienced a Coming Home process. Their illness gave them the clarity and courage to live authentically and share their unique gifts with others. Many of them described feeling truly alive in their lives for the first time.

Colleen realized that she had some of her own work to do before she could claim the same insight and authenticity. It was then that the first seeds of Journey Back to Self took root. She worked as a bereavement counselor for Hospice as she went through her own transformation. "This was not an easy process," she explains. "There were many bumps in the road: periods of depression, isolation, and complete confusion as to who I was, or where I was going."

She now guides her clients through their own rough spots, knowing the rewards are waiting around the corner. "This process happens for most of us as we break new ground. But no one who's been through it would trade the experience. It's work, but it's life-changing in the best possible way."

For Colleen, her inner work led to the formation of Journey Back to Self-uniquely integrative wellness coaching. JBS combines the goal-setting and practical accountability of traditional business coaching with the healthful wellbeing of a spiritual practice - all mixed up with the wisdom, creativity, playfulness, and dreams of, well, pre-school.

"Children know who they are. Before the world gets in the way and tries to convince them otherwise, kids have a blueprint for their life. I like to give that child within all of us the chance to step out of the shadows and take center stage. That's when we celebrate the wisdom of our inner brilliance. That's when we truly shine."

Colleen has 16 years experience as an individual and group therapist with specializations in gay and lesbian issues, chronic illness, addictions, and grief and loss. She is a sought after speaker on mind-body healing, guided imagery, and expressive arts as an adjunct to optimal living. Her education and qualifications include:

• Masters in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Holistic Health

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  Certified Mindful Life Coach

• Certified Guided Imagery Therapist

• Certified Transpersonal Hypnotherapist

• Certified Past Life Therapist Expressive Arts