We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful deJoly LaBrier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with deJoly below.
deJoly, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Too many times in our society, women are told to be quiet and take care of everyone else’s needs. In so many ways, we are told that we don’t matter, that our stories don’t matter. Yet the struggles we go through, the loves we experience, the children we bear and raise, and all the things we do to survive in a sometimes unfriendly world, ARE significant. My own life was impacted by extreme child abuse that lead to two decades of healing the wounds created from the abuse. In the process, my purpose became driven by my desire to help others heal from the same kind of abuse. I promised my therapist that I would write my story, and proceeded to not only write the book, but also to speak at conferences and universities about the reality of child abuse and the importance of healing. I wrote two books about it and then two others that allowed me to express some of the wisdom I learned in life. My mission is to guide women to find their authentic voices so they can write their stories from that deep part of themselves. We matter. Our stories matter.
deJoly, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In the process of healing from extreme childhood abuse, my purpose became driven by my desire to help others heal from the same kind of trauma. I promised my therapist that I would write my story, and proceeded to not only write the book, but also, for 20 years I spoke at conferences and universities about the reality of child abuse and the importance of healing. I wrote two books about it and then two others that allowed me to express some of the wisdom I learned in life through that healing process. My mission is to guide women to find their authentic voices, so they can write their stories from that deep part of themselves. We matter and our stories matter.
About 6 years ago, I became a life coach. Because of the healing work I’ve done for myself in recovering from childhood trauma, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to be a guide for women who are suffering, sometimes silently or in dissociative states. This leads to the work we do with writing. Often words flow easily when they come from the heart and healing.
I provide group and individual coaching where we do deep dives inside to find our authentic voices. This starts with inner child work, and timelines of our lives. From that deep place of authenticity, we write, whether we’re writing our stories, a blog, a newsletter, a bio or any other content. Most often, when we find our authentic voices, we have conquered the disabling and limiting beliefs we’ve carried for our lifetimes. My style and energy provide a safe space for women to do this work.
My approach to coaching is rooted in positive mindfulness, and noticing without an agenda. No judgment. No Expectations of perfection. Allowing feelings to flow through the body as a river flows downstream.
My mission as a Life Coach is to empower and inspire women to live a life that is authentic, fulfilling, and aligned with their values. I believe that everyone has the potential to create positive change in their lives, and I am here to support them on their journeys toward personal growth and transformation.
I work collaboratively with my clients to help them identify their strengths, overcome their own unique disabling or limiting beliefs, identify and name their inner critic, and develop practical strategies for achieving the life they deserve. I believe coaching is a process of self-discovery, and I’m committed to providing a supportive and non-judgmental space for my clients to explore their inner world. We use a combination of journaling, embodiment meditations, body movement, music, experiential exercises, relationship coaching, and personal/spiritual development.
I offer a number of coaching services, including one-on-one coaching sessions, group coaching, workshops, and online courses. I’m most proud of my creation of Write & Rise, (for intimate small groups of women) a safe container for sharing our processes toward finding our authentic voices. It’s a dynamic group of women who are willing to go deep to get to the most precious and authentic part of themselves. From that space, we write our stories. I created a private Facebook page where women can get their feet wet in the experience of finding their authentic voices. New members can join by messaging me.
The main thing I’d like people to know about me is that I’m a huge cheerleader for each little step of your success. Just getting out of bed sometimes is a step that needs to be celebrated. I offer to others what many people have offered to me in my healing process. I’ve learned techniques that worked for me and can work for others as they journey into healing and writing their stories.
What people are saying:
deJoly’s strong vision, clarity, and confidence helped me believe in myself and see clearly to access my own power within to overcome tremendous hardship through a divorce and horrible custody battle. – Ellen E.
deJoly’s deep listening skills are incredibly powerful. She remembers things I’ve said unconsciously, that are so important for my growth. I love working with her. She puts me at ease. I feel safe with her. – Maria D.
deJoly seems to be able to find what will work for me to finally feel my emotions. Her calm energy helped me see that I was talking to myself just like my abusers spoke to me. I learned about addictions and am now in Al-Anon, which is one of the best things that ever happened to me. deJoly helped me to see that self-care leads to self-love. – Sharon S.
I can be reached at:
https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://www.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My personal journey of resilience began when I was a child in an extremely abusive family. The extent of the abuse caused me to dissociate. At the age of 40, I began to recover from the abuse when I was admitted to a hospital for chronic depression. The story of that journey of recovery is written within the pages of my book, Altogether Now: A Multiple’s Story of Hope and Healing. It includes 4 hospital stays, lots of therapy and the rooms of the 12-Step programs. My determination to transform my life and my mind, as well as my connection to Spirit, started when I told myself and others that I would go anywhere and do whatever it takes to heal from all the trauma. Pure grit and resilience was my long story.
For 20 years, I spoke at Conferences, workshops, universities and book signing events, about the abuse and how I healed. I became the spokesperson for the children and adults who couldn’t speak for themselves. My connection to Spirit, using the message of the 12-Steps, compassionate therapists and a lot of hard work helped me to transform my life to become the coach I am today.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson I had to unlearn is that I must do things perfectly or no one will like me. The back story is that my father, who served 22 years in the Marine Corps, was a very strict military disciplinarian. My siblings and I were required to stand at attention when we were getting lectured about our defects or something we had done “wrong.” We had “Field Day” every Saturday, where us four kids cleaned the house from top to bottom and my father went through with white glove inspection. If any part of our work didn’t meet his standards, we had to clean the entire house again. No playing outside like the neighbor kids did. I learned that I had to be perfect in order for anyone to like me or love me. What I’ve come to know is that no one is perfect. It’s ok to be imperfect. Perfect is boring. This took a lot of unlearning. Perfectionism doesn’t have anything to do with whether people will like me or love me. This realization freed me up to live my life perfectly imperfect.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dejoly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dejolylabrier/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dejoly.labrier/ and by invitation only https://www.facebook.com/groups/417913474187703