Rev. Carrie Ives
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BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Religious Studies minor. Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary, Ordained 2013. Member of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple Community Certified Spiritual Director, San Damiano House of Prayer, 2015. Avatar Master (personal development course), 2015. Certified, SA crisis counselor, Trauma-informed counselor (40 hours training), Center for Hope and Healing, 2017. Tree of Life Interfaith Temple Leadership Council, 2021-24. Spiritual Director Supervision training, 2022. Spiritual Mentoring Certificate Program, co-facilitator, 2022- . Master of Arts in Spirituality, Merrimack College, expected May 2025. Thesis: “More Sick, More BROADLY Spiritual: A Comparison of the Spirituality of Adolescents with and without Chronic Illness.” A draft of my memoir, Chronically Inspired, has been accepted for publication by PageMill Press. I live in Chelmsford, MA, with my partners John and Tiffany, and our fur-babies, Solaris and Luna (cats) and Star (dog). I attend First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Chelmsford, where I sing as an alto in the choir. I love to travel. Https://www.CarrieAdell.com AREAS OF SPECIALTY My personal and professional life has centered around the intersection and interconnection of spirituality and chronic illness. I have found that balance of all areas of health / wellness (spiritual, physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional) is integral to overall health. Wounding or trauma in any of these areas impacts all the areas; medical trauma and spiritual / religious wounding are typically not recognized as much as they actually occur. I bring this balance to my self-work as well as to my work with clients / students / mentees. I know the value of accountability and deadlines, routines and rituals. I also hold strong compassion and deep love. MY PERSONAL STATEMENT The Tree of Life Interfaith Seminary was transformative for my life, and I am honored to be considered to walk this path with you. I believe our spiritual journey is lifelong and constantly evolving. Our greatest gifts to the world come out of our greatest challenges; this seminary program guides us to face and grow through our challenges. My personal life has included chronic illness, a period of disability, a double-lung transplant, divorce, infertility, and more. It has also included miracles, many spiritual practices, much learning, much travel, a number of dogs and cats, and a committed triad. I have come to believe that God calls us in a direction, and it’s up to us to experience the learning and the journey. I consider myself a Unitarian-Universalist Theist Interfaith Spiritual Teacher. I practice this as a minister, spiritual companion (mentor, director), leader of workshops and retreats, student, and researcher. I have practiced Siddha Yoga, vipassana and metta Buddhist meditation, centering prayer, channeling of music, and most recently the rosary, through the perspective of The Way of the Rose. My household honors the Pagan Wheel of the Year, the values of UU, and - as much as possible - a hope in humanity’s goodness. I see spirituality as the experiential component of our connection with the Divine realm, which can occur in the presence of any or no faith / religious tradition. |