Facebook Instagram
DNA Surprise Retreat Arizona

MEET OUR FACILITATORS

MEGAN IRWIN
MSW, CSWA

“THE PAST DOESN’T HAVE TO DEFINE US, BUT IT DOES INFLUENCE HOW WE UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO THE PRESENT.”

Megan is a licensed therapist specializing in grief and loss, trauma/PTSD, and associated challenges. She serves as a compassionate witness and guide for her clients’ healing and personal growth. 

Megan will facilitate a session called “Big T, Little t” on how DNA surprise traumas affect our bodies and minds. She’ll also empower us with tools to manage the big feelings we experience following our surprises.

JENNICA KLEMANN
ADVANCED CERTIFIED GRIEF RECOVERY METHOD SPECIALIST

“ONE DAY YOU WILL TELL YOUR STORY OF HOW YOU OVERCAME WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH, AND IT WILL BE SOMEONE ELSE’S SURVIVAL GUIDE.” – BRENE BROWN

Jennica Klemann is an Advanced Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Arizona Licensed Massage Therapist. She specializes in a variety of losses including death, divorce, loss of health, child loss, pet loss, and complicated familial dynamics, just to name a few. 

Jennica practices her grief work in Tucson, AZ as well as online. She chose grief work because of her own significant loss experiences and the profound relief she felt from going through the Grief Recovery Method process. Sharing this work with others is incredibly sacred and rewarding. 

In Jennica’s session, she will discuss the types of losses we experience, the physiology of grief, myths about grief, and self-care tips. She’ll also do an exercise with the group to help work through some of our grief. 

JENNIFER SPENCER
LCSW

“LIFE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT TO BE WONDERFUL.” – ANNETTE FUNICELLO

Jennifer is a licensed professional counselor who works with people who want to make lasting change for themselves to better their relationships, enjoy life, and make an overall life worth living.

She specializes in DBT, CBT, ACT, and EMDR.

Jennifer will facilitate a session on Radical Acceptance — including what it is and why it’s so important for our mental health.

LINDSAY JOHNSON
RN & INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS COACH

“TO BE NOBODY-BUT-YOURSELF IN A WORLD WHICH IS DOING ITS BEST, NIGHT AND DAY, TO MAKE YOU EVERYBODY BUT YOURSELF — MEANS TO FIGHT THE HARDEST BATTLE ANY HUMAN BEING CAN FIGHT — AND NEVER STOP FIGHTING.” – E.E. CUMMINGS

Lindsay Johnson is a registered nurse, board-certified nurse coach, and integrative health coach who cares for the caregiver though stress, burnout, and trauma healing. She utilizes various methodologies in her practice, including mindful listening, transformative coaching, somatic experience and trauma healing, mindfulness, HeartMath, and gentle accountability. 

Lindsay helps her clients reconnect to themselves and their bodies, become more aware and mindful of their coping mechanisms, access their courage and inner wisdom, and shed old habits in order to make way for more self compassion and love.

In her session, “Let it RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture,” Lindsay will teach us how self-compassion is a vital portion of the healing process for DNA surprises. 

photo of Lindsay Johnson

CHRISTINE WOLF
AUTHOR & WRITING COACH

“NOTHING TESTS US — OR BONDS US — MORE POWERFULLY THAN OUR EFFORTS TO HEAL AFTER TRAUMA.” 

Christine Wolf is a Chicago-based author and writing coach whose focus is on memoir and biography. Her award-winning work is regularly featured in national newspapers, magazines, and on live storytelling stages. Wolf earned a Master of Teaching degree from National-Louis University and now runs Writers’ Haven LLC, a writing consultancy and cooperative workspace for writers of all levels of experience — from published authors to those who occasionally journal or jot random notes on the backs of receipts. 

Through her compassionate and trauma-informed approach, Wolf empowers writers and non-writers alike to find their authentic voices. In 2018, Wolf lost a younger sister suddenly; in 2022, thanks to a home DNA kit, she discovered an older sister they never knew existed (the three sisters share a biological father). Both of Wolf’s sisters were named Elizabeth at birth. 

Christine’s session, “Write-to-Heal,” is an empowering, flexible, and compassionate exploration of therapeutic (cathartic) journaling as a tool to help document your story and aid true healing. 

Photo credit: Lynn Trautmann

Photo of Christine Wolf

DEBBIE OLSON
CERTIFIED LIFE COACH

“DO THE BEST YOU CAN UNTIL YOU KNOW BETTER. THEN WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER.” – MAYA ANGELOU

Debbie is a Certified Life Coach and founder of DNA Surprise Network. She helps others navigate life’s path after having a DNA Surprise, having experienced one of her own. She enjoys using her skills of empathy, understanding, and communication with her coaching clients. She’s also the co-founder of the DNA Surprise Retreat!

Debbie is an animal advocate, serving as Board Secretary for the East Idaho Spay Neuter Coalition and Chair for the Snake River Animal Shelter’s biggest annual fundraiser, the Fur Ball. Both nonprofit organizations help save animals’ lives and bring them to loving families. 

Debbie can be found on Instagram and Facebook or at DNASurpriseNetwork.com.

In Debbie’s session, “What’s Next?” she’ll talk about building on our strengths, the power we already have, and the next right moves to keep practicing after the retreat.

Photo of Debbie Olson
REGISTER
DNA-Surprise-Retreat-Logo-2.png

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DNA SURPRISE RETREAT NEWSLETTER TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION!

The DNA Surprise Retreat hosts are not licensed mental health professionals. The DNA Surprise Retreat is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. 

© 2022-2023. DNA Surprises LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy  |   Terms & Conditions