Meet Judi
For most of my life, I have been drawn to understanding why we do the things we do, and think the way we think. That desire has shaped both my work and my own journey, leading me to a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling/Ministry, leadership roles in nonprofit and public health, and nineteen years as the Founder and Sole Clinician of an opioid use disorder clinic. But more importantly, it led me into the lives of people facing grief, addiction, trauma, loss, relationship struggles, and deep spiritual questions.
Through these professional and personal experiences, a single truth has emerged: no one is defined by their struggles or circumstances. Beneath our fear and shame, we all share a profound longing for love, acceptance, and peace. Yet, we often search for these things in places that leave us empty, making it hard to believe that God truly sees us, let alone loves us. I know that struggle well.
My own path has included seasons of loss, uncertainty, addiction, healing, and profound grace. That healing came not through human effort, but through a miraculous encounter with Jesus at the age of 50. After decades of searching, praying, and working with others, nothing changed until I made a Lifetime Confession. While praying with me, a priest I did not know leaned over and said, “Jesus just healed you of your alcoholism. ” I have not been able to drink since, even though I have tried.
But that was not the only time God intervened. Born with spina bifida, I was miraculously healed during surgery (the surgeon reported it was not him who did the miraculous surgery), leaving no repercussions. I have survived a cardiac event that still baffle doctors, and countless moments where God kept me alive despite choices that could have killed me. The culmination of these miracles came while I was sitting in the college chapel during my Master’s studies. I asked Jesus what He wanted of me, and I literally heard, “Tell My people I love them.” When I asked again, I heard the same thing.
These miracles, and His constant mercy, are why I do what I do. I owe everything to His grace. Looking back, I see that God was present through it all, patiently leading me toward freedom, often in ways I didn’t recognize at the time.
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that lasting change rarely begins with striving or self-improvement. Instead, it begins with honesty, mercy, and the willingness to see clearly what is happening beneath the surface.
This conviction is the foundation of Held Holy.
Today, I offer a space where you can slow down, tell the truth about what hurts, and explore what may be standing in the way of the life God is inviting you to live. Whether you are navigating a difficult season, struggling with a habit you wish to change, feeling disconnected from God, or simply sensing that something needs attention, you are welcome here.
Sometimes, the first step is simply an honest conversation.
Hear the Story: I recently shared my journey of miraculous healing and lifelong surrender with a colleague who experienced a similar freedom from alcohol. We spoke about the moments of darkness, the search for answers, and the grace that changed everything.
At Held Holy, integrity means living what I offer and walking the same path of healing, honesty, and surrender that I invite others to explore.
I live a substance-free life, free from alcohol and from anything that pulls me away from who I am in God. That freedom was not something I achieved through willpower; it was a gift of Grace. It is that Grace that continues to shape my personal and professional life.
In my work with individuals, informed by my Master's training in Pastoral Counseling/Ministry, I help people explore their relationship with alcohol, substances, and the patterns that may be keeping them stuck. Often, the work leads beneath the surface to the emotional wounds, spiritual longings, and deeper beliefs that lie beneath the habit.
For me, this is soul work, and it can only happen in a space of mercy. That is why I strive to lead with compassion, transparency, and reverence. I protect confidentiality, meet each person without judgment, and walk alongside them in humility ... not as a fixer, but as someone who has walked a difficult road and trusts the One who heals.
While I choose to live alcohol- and drug-free, I honor that each person's journey is unique. Held Holy is never about pressure or perfection. It is an invitation into truth, peace, and the possibility of genuine freedom.