Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Wells.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Keisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Figuratively, my life ended and began again on April 14, 2007—the day my twin sons were born prematurely and died after a few hours of precious life. When I imagined what motherhood would look like for me, I never expected to encounter such a hurt. The death of my sons is an indescribable loss that has challenged every facet of my existence. At the time, I didn’t have a point of reference for premature birth or infant loss. I couldn’t understand why my babies didn’t live. I learned later on my grief journey that countless families had and will experience the loss of their beloved babies. I learned I am the one in four women and families who have sustained the loss of a baby.
Grieving my sons’ absence and the dreams and hopes I had in mothering them prompted me to seek counseling and learn how to manage this life-long grieving and healing journey. I had a positive counseling experience but still believed there was more work to be done. This loss propelled me to raise awareness about pregnancy and infant loss and become an advocate for the many women who suffer without hope and adequate support. So, the deepest hurt in my life also created the deepest purpose in my life. My previous career path was in writing and editing. I had no idea I would work outside of that realm. However, a year after the loss of my sons, I pursued education and a career in community counseling.
The moments I’ve survived since then have led me to my gift and purpose in serving as a licensed professional counselor in supporting other angel moms and providing a secure space for them to heal and move forward, acknowledging their babies and their motherhood. All moms deserve to be seen, heard, and understood.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No life journey is without its challenges and changes in terrain, in which you must adapt, make decisions, and press forward. Like anyone, I’ve had profound losses and challenges—both personally and professionally—but through it all, I acknowledge the gift of living and the ability to reroute and chart a new path.
My biggest struggle has been living and growing as an angel mom—especially in my early days of loss as I desired to know others who had experienced this form of heartbreak. Initially, it was challenging for me to find and connect with other angel moms, particularly in my local community, because support services were few at that time. However, I now have a solid community of support and work with other angel moms to help them advocate for themselves and establish support channels for their grief journeys.
So far, my life continues to be a worthy and beautiful struggle. Particularly, the gift of love in grieving and making meaning in loss by honoring my sons and working with others to identify their rights to do the same for their babies.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Transformation Counseling Services – what should we know?
I’m a licensed professional counselor, perinatal mental health specialist, and founder of Transformation Counseling Services, a practice I started in 2015. I enjoy working exclusively with women and moms in my practice, providing specialized care and support as they navigate some of the most difficult paths in life and motherhood. In addition to grief work, I help women increase assertiveness and balance in their lives, as well as establish healthy boundaries in their relationships. I’m also happy to facilitate a monthly perinatal loss support group for families, in which they connect with and encourage one another. Safe spaces of support and understanding are vital in healing.
Grief and loss are heavy occurrences in life that we all experience—from loss of employment to the death of a spouse, or even the end of a relationship. Still, they’re such challenging topics and many people run from the emotions that occur in grieving because they equate grieving to “being weak.” However, grieving is a powerful and needed process. We grieve because we love or feel deeply and the loss has meaning. I’m often asked how and why I do this type of work. I see it as more of a call and a privilege to serve in this capacity. I enjoy supporting women facing such arduous times—offering them hope and encouragement in honoring their right to grieve on their terms and, ultimately, acknowledge loss in a healthy manner.
My latest project is the upcoming release of my first book, From Three Heartbeats to One: A Gentle Companion Offering Hope in Grieving Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Even as a writer, I never knew this would be a book I would author but it was one that I needed to read in 2007. I wrote From Three Heartbeats to One to offer hope and empower angel moms on their grief journeys. In this work, I included helpful exercises to assist readers in identifying and coping with difficult emotions in loss such as guilt and sadness, as well as writing prompts and affirmations they can process and speak to affirm their love for their babies, as well as their ability to move forward in loss. I wrote this book to provide comfort but also inspire the reader to take action in defining healing in grief and loss. To use their voice in honoring their baby’s lifetime and not be silenced by despair and shame. My book will be published in December 2019. Details for purchasing the book can be found on my website.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m blessed because of (and thankful for) the love and support of my family and friends. They’ve been my biggest advocates and greatest allies. I draw strength from their encouragement and faith in my mission to serve others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keishawells.com
- Email: kwellslpc@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kwellslpc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/transformationcounselingservices
Image Credit:
Derrick Reed
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