I’ve seen it in myself: after tragedies like the Minneapolis shooting, pain and outrage can take over. Brokenness becomes all I see. I let anger and my need to be right shape every conversation.
But it all started with seeing what’s wrong and wanting to fix it. And when it didn’t get fixed, more frustration, more anger, more internal unrest. Like an inner combat theater.
But daily feeding this anger changes everything. If I trade hate for hate, that’s all I get back. Anger multiplies. The world reflects it right back at me.
Bitterness convinced me I was insightful, but really, I was just a big ole clump of anger.
Bitterness is poison. It hardens the soul. Gratitude and forgiveness go by the wayside. Kindness becomes a rare commodity. And wounds accumulate, sustained by our inability to let go. Where is the meaning or sense of this?
Ancient wisdom reminds that we can’t control what happens to us, only how we respond. When we shift our focus inward—reactions, choices—power is reowned. That’s where real change begins. It’s the only kind of control that actually matters.
If we could transform ourselves and live our own truth, what would that look like? Where could we begin?
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Louise Sutherland-Hoyt
I’ve spent over 25 years walking beside people as they navigate the terrain of trauma, healing, and growth. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Board-approved Clinical Supervisor, and I hold both a Master’s Degree and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Cambridge College in Massachusetts. Learning never stopped when I left school—it’s woven into every conversation, every session, every story shared in trust.
My work has always centered on transformation—not just surviving trauma, but growing through it. Post-Traumatic Growth is more than a theory to me; it’s a lens I use to help clients reconnect with peace and resilience, even in the most fractured parts of their stories. That belief—that healing is possible, and even beautiful—is what fuels West of Wisdom.
I live in Nevada and am retired from the state, though I remain deeply involved in mentoring, writing, and community service. A while back, my husband and I decided to try out retirement life in Florida (with mixed results and a good dose of humility). During that time, I had the honor of serving as President of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association. I worked to bring critical mental health issues to the attention of state legislators and helped lead initiatives aimed at strengthening our mental health system. Advocacy work is simply another form of therapy—just conducted in suits and hearing rooms.
My experience as a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War Era allows me to deeply empathize with fellow veterans and their families, understanding the unseen burdens they carry. My connection to Opus Peace, a nonprofit focused on Soul Injury and end-of-life healing, has deepened my commitment to this work. I’m proud to help spread their message and bring comfort to those facing the long echoes of war, illness, or unresolved trauma.
Whether I’m working with clients, mentoring new therapists, or writing for this blog, my aim is always the same: to be of use. Healing is a sacred thing. If I can help hold the lamp for even a small stretch of someone’s journey, that’s enough.
With warmth and gratitude,
Louise Sutherland-Hoyt
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