Sifting Through the Ashes: Finding Beauty, Peace, Love, and Strength Through Trauma

A comprehensive suite of more than 30 Checklists, Exercises, Techniques, and Resources to aid in understanding and recovering from trauma.
Get Immediate Access Now!

Thank you for purchasing Sifting Through the Ashes: Finding Beauty, Peace, Love, and Strength Through Trauma

We are so glad you got a copy. This was a labor of love for the Heartstrings Counseling community and therapy team. All profits from the sales of the book are being put into the Heartstrings Crisis and Disaster Counseling Program. Thank you for supporting our efforts in helping more people and being able to provide free counseling sessions to trauma survivors who otherwise could not afford it.

We promised you a lot of mental health checklists and resources. When you opt in and enter your name and email in the box on this page, you will get immediate access to the page that has all the printable checklists, exercises, techniques, and resources mentioned in the book that we know might be helpful to you. Whether you’re at the beginning stage of your healing journey, the middle or the end, there are checklists, exercises, clinical techniques, and resources that can guide you on the road to trauma recovery. These will serve as a baseline for wherever you are in your journey.

If you’re unsure where you are, go through the “Victim, Survivor, Thriver Checklist.”

If you’re struggling with PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder), go through the “Trauma Reactions, Thoughts, and Emotions Checklist” to figure out where you are still stuck.

Perhaps you have been feeling sad and down. If that’s the case, go through the “Depression Symptoms Checklist,” then open up the “Enjoyable Activities Checklist” to find some pleasant activities that will help lift your mood.

Maybe you’re someone who has a loved one who needs support or maybe you only need two out of the more than 30 checklists, exercises, techniques, and resources we have provided for you. That’s OK. Go ahead and get them. Although each experience is different, there is a checklist for almost everything a trauma survivor goes through. In addition to these checklists, we are also providing a complimentary counseling session (California residents only) to those who opt in. You can always unsubscribe, but go ahead and check out the resources available and see what else we can do to support you.

The CEO/Founder of Heartstrings Counseling

Darla Gale is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the CEO/Founder of Heartstrings Counseling, Inc. and Darla Gale Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapist, Inc. Darla graduated from Brandman University and has a master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. She is a trained EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist and a certified First Responder Counselor. She has also completed the Faith in Crisis Academy training with a specialized focus on trauma. She has a deep desire to provide healing to those who are hurting, to give each individual the resources for positive change, and to help them gain insight and understanding, resulting in a brighter tomorrow.

Darla holds the belief that you cannot change the past, but you can be strengthened by it. One of her favorite quotes is “It’s OK to look back into the past; just don’t stare.” She has experience working with adults, adolescents, and children bound by anxiety, depression, obsession compulsion, ADHD, anger, addiction, grief, and personality disorders. In addition, she works with couples who are experiencing difficulties with conflict, communication, and unhealthy relational patterns. Darla’s therapeutic approach is creative and engaging, as she combines spiritual, mindful, cognitive, and behavioral principles in her process. Darla believes the client-therapist relationship is of the utmost importance. Her goal is to lead individuals on a personal journey of awareness while providing them with hope, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. In her spare time, she enjoys crochet, cross-stitch, reading, kayaking, fishing, boating, road trips with her husband, and her dogs.

A Heartfelt Thank You & How To Access The Mental Health Resources For Trauma

Testimonials

What People Are Saying

“I Just want to say thank you! Thank you for helping me, for believing in me, and just being there to listen! I am truly grateful and so very thankful for Heartstrings!!!”

Shannon, Citrus Heights, CA

“After surviving the Camp Fire I found myself in need of counseling. After a frustrating and long search, I was referred to Heartstrings by the County. Heartstrings had me assigned to a counselor the next day! And I have had a very positive experience since.”

Marty S, Paradise, CA

“Heartstrings provides a wonderful service with knowledge, compassion and being there for you. I was so afraid and unsure to ask for help for my PTSD from the Camp Fire; but once I took that step, it was the best decision I ever made. I can’t recommend them enough.”

Katherine L, Elk Grove, CA

“Heartstrings was the lifeline thrown to me when I thought I would drown in all that was happening in my life. I am SO grateful for the love, support and guidance I received from the staff. You are all a blessing for sure!!”

Wendy H, Loomis, CA

“Heartstrings Counseling has been such a blessing in my life. More healing for me in two years than the last 20 years! Thank you to all of the staff for your kindness and compassion”

Kati M, Paradise, CA

“Heartstrings has done so much for me! They taught me the tools to cope with trauma and PTSD from the Camp Fire. I don’t know what I would have done without them! Their various forms of therapy, caring and willingness to listen without judgment makes me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t thank Heartstrings enough for helping me through the process of healing.”

Barbara C, Paradise, CA

"During times of struggle, you lean on your friends and family for support. With the Camp Fire, everyone was in the same situation. We were all trying to put the pieces together, making life-changing decisions daily. I went to Heartstrings, broken and lost, trying to go through the motions of a daily routine. Because of the caring staff at Heartstrings, I began mending the pieces of my heart one string at a time. It will be a lifetime of healing. I am thankful for my counselor, who took me by the hand and slowly helped me stand again. At first, she had to hold me up and now, I am standing alone."

Jammie H, Roseville, CA