Gina L. Norman, CASD

Hi there, I'm Gina - a counselor, spiritual director, and fellow traveler on the path of healing and wholeness.

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If you're here, you might be feeling like you don't quite fit in, like your sensitivity is too much for the world, or like you're searching for something deeper than what traditional approaches offer. I see you, and I want you to know: you belong here.

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As a highly sensitive person and Enneagram 4 myself, I understand the unique challenges of navigating a world that often feels too loud, too harsh, or too disconnected from what truly matters. Your sensitivity isn't a flaw - it's a gift, and my work centers on helping you discover the beauty and strength in who you are.

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My Approach: Integrative Soul Care

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Counseling  | Spiritual Direction | Soul Care | Trauma-Informed Therapy

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I believe healing happens in relationship—with yourself, with others, and with the Divine (however you understand that sacred presence). My approach weaves together:

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• Contemplative practices rooted in ancient wisdom

• Trauma-informed care that honors your nervous system and lived experience

• Inclusive spirituality that welcomes all identities and expressions

• Gentle presence that creates safety for your most tender parts

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Whether you're seeking spiritual direction to deepen your relationship with the sacred, counseling support for life's challenges, or trauma-informed care to heal old wounds, I'm here to walk alongside you.

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My Story: From Suffering to Service

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Fifteen years ago, during a season of physical pain and forced stillness, I discovered contemplation and the mystics. Henri Nouwen's words became my anchor: "We are not what we do, we are not what we have, and we are not what other people say we are."

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This truth transformed everything. I learned that simply being human gives us inherent value and worth - not anything we can or can't do.

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As an abuse survivor who has navigated significant trauma, I know what it's like to feel unsafe in the world. This lived experience, combined with my professional training, allows me to create the kind of sacred, secure space I once desperately needed.

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Professional Training & Experience

• 12+ years of counseling experience

• Spiritual Direction Graduate, San Francisco Theological Seminary (2022)

• 5+ years actively seeing spiritual direction clients

• 100+ individuals supported through counseling and spiritual direction

• Currently pursuing trauma-informed care certification as a nervous system regulation coach

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I chose SFTS because of their inclusive approach - supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities is essential to my practice. I believe everyone deserves to experience the sacred without judgment or exclusion.

 

What You Can Expect

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Clients often tell me that our sessions feel like a retreat. I create spaces where your whole self—your pain, your joy, your questions, your faith - is welcomed and affirmed. You'll find:

• Gentle presence that honors your pace

• Trauma-informed awareness that prioritizes your safety

• Spiritual exploration that respects your unique path

• Practical tools for daily life and spiritual growth

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Beyond the Sessions

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When I'm not in session, you'll find me exploring Minneapolis coffee shops (I recently moved from Oakland!), art journaling, or working on my first book about navigating life's gray areas. I live with my partner Kevin of 22 years and our 3-year-old bichon-poo, Benson.

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I believe in practicing what I offer - I see my own counselor and spiritual director because I know the profound value of this work, both personally and professionally.

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Ready to Begin?

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If you're feeling called to explore counseling, spiritual direction, seek soul care, or begin trauma-informed healing work, I'd be honored to companion you on this journey. Your story matters, your healing matters, and you deserve to experience the fullness of who you're meant to be.

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"The most important thing you can offer a person is your presence and undivided attention."