In the labyrinth of modern existence, where the demands of daily life intertwine with the quest for inner harmony, one remarkable individual has emerged as a guide and guardian of serenity – Trudy Smith Crow. A luminary in the fields of therapy, life coaching, Reiki mastery, and energy healing, Trudy’s multifaceted expertise has ignited a transformative journey for those seeking solace, empowerment, and holistic well-being. Trudy Smith Crow’s presence resonates as a soothing balm for the soul. As a Therapist, her empathetic approach transcends conventional counseling, delving deep into the heart of emotional complexities to facilitate profound healing. But her influence doesn’t stop there. Trudy’s repertoire extends to the realm of life coaching, where she empowers individuals to chart a course toward their aspirations, fostering a life imbued with purpose and vitality. In this article, Mystic Mag embarks on an expedition into the realm of Trudy Smith Crow’s expertise – an exploration of her holistic approach, her unwavering dedication, and the profound transformations she continues to instigate.
How did you discover your passion for becoming a therapist, life coach, Reiki master, and energy practitioner? Was there a defining moment that led you to this path?
I have had an affinity for helping others since childhood and have been fascinated by why people do the things that they do. Since I have had a fascination with psychology and have experienced the joy of therapy, I decided to go into social work. It is a broader field that incorporates sociology and psychology.
I began practicing a nature-based faith in my teens and realized the energy fields that surround us can be healing and offer growth in times of distress. I have experienced several traumas in my own life, and it was through therapy and a strong connection with nature’s energy that I managed to grow and evolve.
I began my social work journey in 2001 following one of the most significant traumas in my life, the loss of a child. This was my defining moment. I knew that I could help others who had experienced grief and loss. This was also part of my healing as I learned more about myself in the process.
In 2018, I decided to incorporate more energy into my practice. I received my Reiki certification and my Life Coach certification that same year. I found that these were helpful to my clients to help them move past negative energies that surround them in their day-to-day lives.
As someone with expertise in various healing modalities, how do you integrate different approaches to create a holistic and personalized experience for your clients?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most prominent therapies in use. This is when you help someone adjust thoughts and behaviors to be more aligned. How the various approaches work together is rather easy. Each person, in my experience, is born with expectations and is given messages over the course of their lives. These expectations are frequently part of our lives and build us into the people we are. However, people frequently experience turmoil when the messages that we are given do not align with our inner feelings of self. This is where we experience despair, anxiety, and self-sabotage.
I work with people to find where they want to be in relation to where they are. I use the analogy, “You can’t get to Toledo if you don’t know two things. First, you have to know where you are. Second, you have to know where Toledo is. With those two pieces of information, you can make the most of your trip.” I also explain that just like a road trip, you may encounter obstacles in your life journey. However, we can find how to work around them or through them to continue on our journey. You wouldn’t stop in the middle of a road trip and abandon the whole idea of it just because there was construction on your initial route, would you? Of course not, you would look at a map and find a satisfactory way around it. The same logic is used with individuals that are taking a personal, spiritual, or professional journey.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer several services. I offer individual counseling and life coaching services for individuals looking to explore their lives more. The individual counseling is only for individuals in Arkansas due to my licensing. However, life coaching is not restricted like that, and I can work with anyone from anywhere. I also offer Spiritual Coaching for individuals that may feel out of line with their faith to help them identify their own spiritual path. This can be helpful to individuals who have experienced religious trauma or have been disillusioned by religion as a whole. I also offer ritual work and tarot readings upon request. All of these services are offered online.
Balancing multiple roles as a therapist, life coach, Reiki master, and energy practitioner can be demanding. How do you manage your own self-care and maintain a sense of balance in your life?
I make it a habit to practice what I preach. Over the course of my 15+ years in the field of mental health, I have found that just because we know something works through evidence-based practices, some people have never incorporated these activities into their own lives. Anything that I suggest for my clients I have worked through on my own. If I suggest a book, it is because I read it myself. If I suggest a journalling style, it is because I have tried it and seen how it works. If I suggest an activity, it is because I have done it and know how it can be beneficial.
What are some practical tips or exercises you often recommend to your clients to maintain a positive and energetic mindset in their daily lives?
One of the first recommendations that I make to clients is to read the book The Four Agreements. This book is a way to learn how to identify messages and work to quiet them.
Journalling is always a good idea. This practice allows you to see patterns of behavior and thought to help identify how these internalized messages affect your life.
I also frequently recommend that people take at least 15 minutes of self-time per day. This is to help recharge the batteries that are frequently depleted due to interactions with others.
Tapping is a great way to help to reset energy flows when you are dealing with significant events. This can be used for trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, and a variety of different situations including physical health and pain issues.
Your diverse expertise allows you to connect with clients on multiple levels. Can you share an example of a session where you seamlessly combined therapies to create a breakthrough moment for someone seeking guidance and healing?
I have experienced several of these over the course of my career, but one in particular involved a young woman who was dealing with a big life transition. During our sessions, we incorporated tapping, grounding, meditation, mindful presence, and mindful-based cognitive behavioral therapy.
The tapping was helpful to ease feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. The grounding was used to help her during times when she felt disconnected. The meditation helped her calm her mind and be still. The mindful presence exercise that I developed helped her ease stress.
