Shaunafensketherapy

It was an absolute privilege to step into teaching Relationship and Marriage Builders this week for the first time as Dr. Shauna Rae. Bringing my research to life in a way that real people could connect with and hopefully be impacted by was one of the greatest honors of my career so far.

I believe this message matters: you can’t do recovery without forgiveness. And not just recovery from drugs or alcohol — but recovery from anything that breaks us: betrayal, loss, trauma, grief.

Forgiveness isn’t just a final step — it’s a rhythm. A daily return. A spiritual practice that heals from the inside out.

It’s not about erasing the past — it’s about transforming how we carry it. And through God, grace, and intentional relational repair, healing is not only possible — it’s powerful.

The questions I received during class pulled on my heart in the best way — making me even more excited to keep diving in, learning, sharing, and growing with the community.

The best is yet to come!

Time to Build! 🛠

We all have stories that shape who we are—but not all of them serve us. Join us for a narrative therapy class where we’ll explore how to rewrite the stories we tell ourselves into ones of strength, resilience, and growth. 💬

Through reflection, discussion, and connection, we’ll dive into how reshaping your story can improve your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. 💜

Come as you are, and let’s start writing a new chapter together. 🫶

Hope to see you there!

Please share! 🙏
I’m still recruiting couples for my dissertation research and could really use your help to spread the word!

As part of my doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, I’m exploring how forgiveness impacts couples navigating recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This research is close to my heart, and I believe it can truly make a difference for those in recovery and their loved ones.

🌟 Who I’m Looking For:
• Couples where one partner is in recovery from SUD (at least 6 months post-inpatient treatment)
• Together for at least one year, with the partner involved during active use

📝 What’s Involved:
• Individual and couple interviews via Zoom (45-60 minutes each)
• A $35 Amazon Gift Card for each partner upon completing the couple interview

If you or someone you know fits this description, I’d love to connect! Please share this post or pass along my contact information. Every share helps this research reach the people who could participate and contribute to understanding how forgiveness plays a role in recovery.

Feel free to message me or email me at [email protected] for more details or to request a flyer. Thank you so much for your support—it means the world to me! 💜

Have you ever said, "We just aren't on the same page?"

Come join us tomorrow for Relationship & Marriage Builders as we dive into what being on the same page really means—and how to get there! Whether you're navigating relationships, friendships, or marriage, this class will help you find deeper connection and understanding!

🗓 Date: Tomorrow
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: 4100 Douglas Drive North Crystal, MN 55422

It’s free and open to the public—so if you can’t make it, feel free to invite someone you know who would benefit. Let’s grow together and strengthen our relationships. Hope to see you there!

Curious why certain behaviors repeat in your family and relationships? Join us TONIGHT for a free workshop that explores the roots of these patterns and offers tools to change them. We’ll dive into how family histories shape us and discover new ways to relate to ourselves and loved ones. This is about breaking cycles and creating a healthier, more connected future. Bring some friends!
Don't miss it!

UPDATE* I have a wonderful opportunity for anyone with a loved one struggling with addiction. A full scholarship is available for a VIRTUAL family program at an excellent treatment center. This opportunity has been extended for someone to use in future at a later time. The commitment sometime in the future would still be similar to times indicated below.

- Thursday: 7 PM
- Friday: 9 AM, 1 PM, 7 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM, 1 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM

Having gone through this program myself, I found it incredibly helpful and healing. 🙏 If you're interested or know anyone who could benefit, please message me!

🌟 Calling all friends and community members! 🌟

I am excited to announce an upcoming live panel discussion for my class "Drugs and Alcohol: Families and Culture." I am looking for loved ones of individuals in active addiction, no longer with us due to addiction, or in recovery to join us for this insightful conversation.

🗓️ Date: Monday, March 11th
🕛 Time: 12pm-1pm
📍 Location: Zoom (link will be provided)

My students have prepared thought-provoking questions to ask loved ones, and I believe your experiences and insights will be invaluable in fostering understanding and awareness.

If you're willing and open to sharing your story and perspectives,
please comment below or send me a message to confirm your interest.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to our discussion! This will be confidential, and only accessible for academic purposes.

The journey of forgiveness is devastatingly beautiful. I’ve always known the the importance and necessity of forgiveness, even before I found my faith. And now to be studying it in my doctorate leaves me in awe.
It is a privilege to witness and learn from people who also have deep lived experience of succeeding and struggling to work through unforgiveness in these different areas, which are all interconnected. It was an incredibly validating and healing night! 🙌🙏🙌

I am still processing the night we had last night! Breakthrough after breakthrough with people getting connected with and loving on their inner child. 🙌 Skeptics of this work were made believers. The “letter to my inner child” exercise that some read aloud to the group were raw and powerful. It was truly a privilege and honor to witness. Thank you for trusting this space. 🙏

Presented a poster on my paper as first author at the National Council on Family Relations conference in Orlando on the impact that being interviewed can have on participants of research. Titled: It Got Me Thinking: The Impact of Participating in a Divorce Ideation Interview.

YOU are invited! And please bring a friend or couple you know! OPEN to the public and FREE workshop!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Lets be real…talking about your inner child can feel a little weird and uncomfortable. But I promise you will be happy you did. He or she is still in there and reconnecting with your inner child can help you heal faster and have a healthier relationship with yourself and loved ones. Don't believe me? Come find out.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING: Please bring a picture of yourself as a child, ideally between 3 and 9 but any picture you have will do. Printed picture preferred! If you don’t have one, bring a picture of any child you love and care about

Come to the next Relationship and Marriage Builders open to the public and FREE! Single, dating, married are all welcome! It is a great evening and group of people. Make a night of it! See you Thursday November 16th!

As we get ready for Relationship & Marriage Builders tonight, here is an amazing testimony of the “why” behind the ministry. Anthony & Sara just celebrated one year of marriage and will be apart of tonight’s Relationship & Marriage Builders discussion. We’ll see you tonight at 6:30PM in the Multipurpose Room.