I created the Living into Wholeness concept and techniques as a result of my own journey into mental health, wellness, and wholeness.

Living Into Wholeness

Deb Whittle’s Story

Perhaps you’re wondering how this focus came to be so important to me. I’d like to share a portion of my story to paint the picture of the development of the Living Into Wholeness curriculum.

When I began doing the work of healing the issues of neglect and trauma, I had the incredible grace to find a mental health professional who had a spiritual/philosophical background, who used a humanistic approach, and who did not take my insurance. Because I was private pay, no insurance agency was involved, and I never received a diagnosis.

My counselor/therapist never used any pathological language. In fact, when I expressed my deepest pain, my most heartfelt longings and displayed what I felt was my most neurotic behavior, I was always met with deep compassion and often the words, ”how natural…”

Because of this, I was able to work on and heal my deep wounding without the added burden of needing to heal “mental illness.” I was also exposed to a model of being supported to walk through the pain to healing without pathologizing any portion of the experience. This experience informs me on many levels each day of my life.

Later, when I began working professionally in the mental health system as a counselor/advocate in residential treatment facilities, it became clear to me that these “mentally ill consumers” were no different than me. We had similar backgrounds, similar experiences of suffering and trauma, similar coping mechanisms, similar thoughts, feelings, and desires. The only difference was they believed they were mentally ill. They believed they were mentally ill because someone labeled them rather than supported their process through to a new conclusion.

I believe my story might be very different had I gone to a mental health center, rather than a private therapist. Had I needed to use my insurance, I’d have needed a diagnosis to be treated. In listening to many consumers’ stories, I know that I have suffered in the same way as they. Am I simply an undiagnosed mentally ill person who slipped through the cracks? Or are they simply suffering human beings who had the misfortune of having their process pathologized?

I have spent the last fifteen years studying the healing process through holistic studies, psychology, process therapy, quantum mechanics, spirituality, and new thought systems. On one level I am dumbfounded by the incredulous notion that typical responses to life events would be called “mental illness.” On another level I feel such rage that the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies, and the mental health system have amassed such power to influence and instill the “mental illness” notion into every facet of modern culture. I feel rage that so many beautiful people see themselves as wounded beyond repair.

I know with every fiber of my being, there is another way. I know there is a way to be with ourselves and with others in a way that honors the pain and suffering that seems to be part of the human experience. We can do this without pathologizing our experience. In fact, there are ways to support each other through our breakdown experiences. We can see it as part of a larger process in which breakdown is often the first step and an opportunity to release, reorganize and realign with that which is more authentic and breakthrough into a larger experience of wholeness.

The human experience is filled with loss and suffering and most of us experience trauma of some sort. We have various ways of responding to these events. Yet, the human spirit is coded to survive. In all things there is an evolutionary drive toward wholeness of which we are all a part. Despite anything that has happened to us, there remains a part of us that remains whole. This part of us has never been damaged. We can learn to access the wisdom of this part of ourselves to guide us into a greater experience of life. We can know there is meaning and purpose in everything we experience.

Quantum mechanics is providing a new language and a larger perspective to help us understand the relationship between the non-physical and the physical world. We are learning that we are much more than our brain chemistry and reality is much more than what we can see. From this perspective we can reevaluate our beliefs and make new decisions about who we are, why we are here, and how we fit into the larger world.

I dedicate my life to the pursuit of helping myself and others live into our intrinsic wholeness.

Debbie whittle is developing a curriculum called Living Into Wholeness. She is a consultant, counselor, writer, and artist. She develops trainings, workshops, and retreats, is available for private sessions, motivational speaking and consulting. Please contact her.
debbie@livingintowholeness.com