We had the good fortune of connecting with Destiny Brennan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Destiny, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work-Life Balance: How Has Your Balance Evolved Over Time?

Over the past decade, my understanding of and approach to work-life balance has significantly evolved. A decade ago, I was working 12-hour overnight shifts as an ICU nurse, which represented the peak of imbalance in my career. It was during this time that I felt an intuitive pull towards reiki energy healing. I pursued this calling and became a master in three reiki traditions, forever transforming both my personal and professional lives.

Being attuned to reiki helped me recognize that the intensity of ICU work was too much for my sensitive nervous system and that I was numbing my senses with caffeine to cope. I quickly transitioned to day shifts and eventually moved into a healthier role. Since 2014, I’ve continually sought out better and healthier nursing positions, leaving any environment that became toxic. I also relocated to a healthier living environment and established my private practice, Sacred Rose Healings in Northern Arizona.

The Journey to Self-Healing and Establishing a Private Practice

Like many healing practices, my private practice began with self-healing and achieving balance in my own life. In 2016, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that causes hormone imbalances. My healing journey involved a dedicated mental-health therapy regimen, reiki practice and Chinese medicine/acupuncture treatments. All of which helped balance my nervous system and mind. This balance enabled me to maintain the calm, centered and deeply rooted presence necessary for providing integrative healthcare and sacred ceremonies to my clients. I am proud to share that, after five years of addressing my root causes and taking exceptional care of myself, I healed my autoimmune disorder in January 2022.

Embracing Freedom and Control Over My Schedule

In 2022, I left my hospital career, relocated my private practice to Arizona and began accepting only contract and per diem nursing work. These changes allowed me to fully control my schedule for the first time in 16 years. The freedom has been incredibly liberating. I now balance my time between working with private clients, providing nursing care through SW Cardiovascular Associates and Enliven Home Infusions, and engaging in self-care practices, art, and travel with my husband.

I structure my month so that three weeks are busier, reserving one week for lighter work and more self-care or vacation and recreation. Even on busy days, I carve out time in the mornings and evenings for hiking, yoga, meditation, reiki, breath-work, and cooking at home or enjoying a meal out.

The Importance of Rest and Tuning In

Rest is essential to my health and happiness. Each day, I spend time tuning in and listening to what my mind and body need. I return to stillness and my breath, and act according to what I need in that moment.

What should our readers know about your business?
Sacred Rose Healings: An Integrative Healthcare Practice

Sacred Rose Healings is a holistic healthcare practice dedicated to assisting individuals on their journey towards improved mental and physical health. With a diverse background in nursing, dietetics, gestalt experiential counseling, and reiki mastery, I provide a wide array of services and personalized treatments. These include gestalt therapeutic counseling, integration sessions, health coaching, reiki energy healing, and reiki attunements. I am dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing space where clients can heal, grow and thrive. My primary goal is to support and empower you on your journey towards improved health and wellness. At Sacred Rose Healings, my mission is to improve the mental and physical health of my clients through expertise and compassionate care, one person at a time.

I am deeply passionate about counseling and coaching using gestalt experiential therapy and somatic techniques. These methods steer clients towards heightened awareness by disrupting neurotic behavioral and thinking patterns, and integrating disowned aspects of the psyche and being. Through reiki, I further support clients by channeling positive energy and transmuting negative energies. Counseling sessions at Sacred Rose Healings tap into the power of human connection and pave the way for improved health, self-love, confidence, and healthier relationships. Clients report enhanced self-acceptance, assertiveness, and an improved ability to navigate stressful and challenging times.

Services provided through Sacred Rose Healings take place in my serene healing room where clients are invited to explore and meditate on the labyrinthine pathways that wind through the property. The features here include hammocks, benches, and panoramic views of northern Arizona. For those who prefer or require remote sessions, I offer most of my services via video telehealth, allowing me to extend my reach to provide health and wellness.

Reflecting on the journey that led to the creation of Sacred Rose Healings fills me with immense pride. The anticipation of what lies ahead for my practice, especially the lives that will be transformed, brings me great joy and excitement. The answers we seek are always within us, waiting to be discovered. It is an honor for me to guide my clients on their journeys toward integration, self-discovery, and healing. As Thich Nhat Hanh poetically stated, “Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.”

To learn more about my education and background please visit: https://www.sacredrosehealings.com/about

Closing Thoughts

As I reflect on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences that have shaped me and the people who have supported me. My path has been one of self-discovery, healing, and transformation and I am honored to share these gifts with my clients through Sacred Rose Healings.

I believe that balance is not a destination but a continuous journey of tuning in, adjusting and aligning with our true selves. It’s about honoring our needs, setting boundaries and making space for rest and joy. It’s about embracing the freedom to shape our lives and schedules in a way that nourishes us and allows us to serve ourselves and others from a place of fullness.

I am excited about the future of Sacred Rose Healings and the opportunity to guide more individuals on their paths to self-discovery and healing. I am committed to continuing to learn, grow and evolve both personally and professionally.

To anyone reading this, remember that the journey to balance and healing begins with self-love and self-care. Listen to your intuition, honor your needs and trust the process. You are worthy of health, happiness and fulfillment during this lifetime and it is an honor for me to assist you on your journey.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorite Spots in the City

Phoenix, the Verde Valley, and the Quad Cities are home to numerous and fantastic places to visit and dine. If I were hosting guests, our first stop would be Jerome for brunch at The Clinkscale, followed by a visit to the charming local shops. Our journey would then take us through the Verde Valley to Sedona for a hiking adventure. Using All Trails, we could choose from hundreds of stunning hikes in the area, such as the West Fork Oak Creek Trail, Birthing Cave trail, Seven Sacred Pools, or Cathedral Rock. A refreshing swim in Oak Creek would be the perfect way to unwind after our hike. While in Sedona, we would enjoy a delicious Mexican dinner at Agave 89 or savor the incredible bison sliders at The Vault, complemented by a drink from their bar and breathtaking sunset views of the surrounding red rocks.

As we make our way towards Phoenix, I have two dining experiences in mind: Dick’s Hideaway for the finest Santa Fe style cuisine outside of Santa Fe, NM, and Hiro Sushi in Scottsdale for an exceptional sushi dining experience.

In Prescott, we would explore Whiskey Row and the Courthouse Square, starting our day with coffee from Founding Fathers, Camp Grounds or Black Gold. After some thrift shopping on Cortez street, we could have lunch at The Raven or Lazy G. On a warm summer evening, we could grab a pizza from Bill’s or Rosa’s and enjoy the free concerts in the Courthouse Square. We might also visit The Palace on Whiskey Row, Arizona’s oldest bar, where the staff don period costumes that reflect Prescott’s wild 1800s.

Cottonwood offers delightful shops and numerous wine tasting venues. My favorite spot is Merkin Winery, located on a hill perfect for a dinner with sunset views. They practice sustainable farming, growing their own wine grapes and vegetables allowing them to serve farm-to-table Italian cuisine.

A visit to the Garchen Buddhist Institute grounds near Chino Valley offers a peaceful afternoon of walking and meditating through the stupas and the temple. The grounds provide a unique perspective, with views towards Prescott in one direction and breathtaking Sedona in the other. For dinner, Essence Kitchen and Bar in Chino Valley is the top choice in the Quad Cities. My guests would have a reservation here one night, with Chef Jason in the kitchen and his wife Julia hosting.

On another day, we could hike the Thumb Butte Trail, offering sweeping views of the Quad Cities, Granite Mountain, and San Francisco Peaks. Alternatively, we could explore the Constellation Loop hike by Willow Lake in the Dells, a landscape similar to Joshua Tree National Park. If we are up for more adventure after our hike, we might drive to Camp Verde for lunch and coffees at Thanks A Latte, followed by a visit to the local thrift stores.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout Series: Recognizing the Contributions of Others

Interestingly, my initial shoutout is directed towards my challenges, discomforts, and intolerances. These elements have served as catalysts, highlighting areas in my life that require attention and adjustment. As an individual guided by spiritual and energetic principles, I heed the signs and messages presented to me, with my body often serving as a prominent guide on my journey towards self-love and the pursuit of a fulfilling and joyful life.

Next, I extend my gratitude to my beloved husband. His love, diligence, and dedication have provided me with support and heightened awareness in both my personal and professional life. As we both navigate the counseling profession, we assist each other in identifying blind spots and offer mutual guidance and support.

I also wish to express my appreciation to my parents, my family, and all my dear friends for being my biggest fans. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental in my life journey.

A big shoutout to all my mentors, particularly Dr. Allen Berger and Roger Andes, who have imparted valuable lessons in gestalt and somatic therapy, both through formal training and by example. A special thanks to Miranda Barrett for her role in my healing process, officiating my wedding, and attuning me to all three traditions of reiki.

Lastly, I extend a shoutout to The Thyroid Pharmacist, Dr. Izabella Wentz, for her Root Cause Thyroid protocol, which has been instrumental in my own healing journey. I am grateful to Jennifer Canfield L.Ac. for her expertise in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and her unwavering love and support. Finally, a big thank you to Jess Yoga, Jessica Richburg in Phoenix, for her exceptional yoga app. The convenience of accessing her pre-recorded yoga, meditation, and breath-work courses at any time has been medicine for my soul and a valuable tool for maintaining balance and self-care, for which I am eternally grateful.

Website: https://www.sacredrosehealings.com

Instagram: @SacredRoseHealings

Image Credits
Jill Sutherland Photo

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