As we begin a new year, we are also beginning a new chapter in our operations at The Retreat House. We are expanding our group of practitioners who offer counseling, coaching, and spiritual direction! We have hoped and prayed for God to bring other compassionate professionals who share a heart to see people flourish in their spiritual lives, everyday lives, work, and relationships. We feel as if we have won the lottery with the three people God has brought to serve here in 2025!
Let us introduce you:
SHERRY VARUGHESE specializes in Trauma-Informed Therapy with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and is accredited by the COAMFTE. She works with individuals, couples, and families using a collaborative and compassionate approach. Her experience and credentials are impressive, but it is her empathic presence that won us over. Her heart for God, the way she has let the presence of Christ heal and transform her and how she invites others to do the same, and the hospitality she exhibits in inner and outer ways are what make us thrilled to onboard her to The Collective.
She and her husband, Justin, along with their two sons recently moved to Memphis from New York City for him to take the role as lead pastor at Fellowship Memphis. As they settle in, we are delighted that God has led her to be a part of The Retreat House. The dream for a place like this has been a seed in her heart as well, long before she came here. Here are her thoughts about joining the work,
“When I first walked onto the grounds of The Retreat House, I immediately felt like I stepped into a safe, sacred space; a place where heaven and earth collide. God's creative beauty and goodness is not only revealed in the physical space, but also embodied by those who serve there. I am eager to join in and continue the very good work of bringing about God's good, original design through restorative and redemptive healing practices. I am beyond grateful that The Retreat House is making that a reality here.”
JOAN ADAMS received her Masters in Counseling and is certified in Trust-Based Relational Intervention.The pursuit of this training was in response to a nudge she was feeling from the Lord during the pandemic. After years in a role that was more focused on operations, she realized that she was drawn to making relational connections and offering soul care. She is someone who can hold the good and the hard of her own story and the stories of others. She offers a wisdom, groundedness, and non anxious presence that makes anyone feel safe and cared for when with her. She values integrity, growth, and humility and exhibits those things as well! She specializes in working with those experiencing anxiety, depression, or in a life transition.
Joan loves traveling with her husband, Keith, cheering on her adult children, and being “JoJo” to her four amazing grandkids. She loves helping people uncover their unique God-given design and purpose. Here’s what she has to say about starting at The Retreat House,
“I'm excited to join this incredible team and walk alongside those seeking clarity, healing, and transformation. I believe that every image bearer has a unique path and there is always hope for growth and renewal. It's an honor to enter spaces with fellow sojourners and together uncover the strength and resilience that leads to a more wholehearted way of living.”
KATY RODELL is a certified coach and trained to offer the Highlands Ability Battery testing which allows her to work with her clients to help them better understand their unique abilities and how to leverage those for college, career, and life. Some of you may have met Katy during her time with us as an intern this summer. This internship was part of the completion of her Masters in Spiritual Formation through Regents University. She brings this unique blend of coaching and spiritual formation to her work and to her life. We are drawn to her servant leadership. We have seen firsthand her willingness to serve in the hidden ways from a heart of kindness and desire to share the love of Christ. She is passionate about the practice of receiving the Lord’s supper and credits this gift of the body and blood of Christ as her sustenance through joy and sorrow.
She and her husband Kevin raised their two daughters here in Memphis and now look forward to their visits. Katy loves being a mom and grandmother. Here’s what she has to say about continuing her work at The Retreat House,
“Each time I enter the grounds of The Retreat House, I breathe in the sacredness of the space and feel the joy of knowing people (and I) encounter and experience the Spirit here. I am grateful and excited to join the Collective and for the opportunity to share in their mission to provide full circle care for wholeness and healing.”
It’s easy to see that you, or someone you love, would be in good hands with any of these women. We want each person who walks through the doors of The Retreat House to feel safe, seen, and loved by God. It is also important to us that when someone reaches out for care, guidance, and counsel that we are able to match them with the right person who will gently and yet boldly come alongside them in whatever they are going through.
People are coming through a variety of channels; google, instagram, word of mouth, and they are coming from a myriad of situations. Some are seeking help in crisis, others are wanting to deepen their discernment of God’s movements in their lives, and still others are needing guidance in how they are wired and how to work with that. Our Director of Care, Lacey Stluka, does an incredible job listening to a person’s story and placing them with the practice and practitioner that can come alongside them. This process is not random but wrapped in discernment and prayer.
The session work side of what we offer at The Retreat House is the way we provide ongoing care. We aim to walk with people through seasons of grief, joy, confusion, transition, discernment, suffering, calling, and so much more. As we have seen the desire and the need for this type of care, we have prayed for expansion in two ways. One being financial. We needed and are growing a robust scholarship fund that allows for people of all means and situations to pursue this. The second being growing The Collective, those aligned with our mission and vision who are trained to offer these services. We are honored and delighted that these three women have decided to join the work here and be our first members of The Collective!
If you are in need of care and would like more information on how The Retreat House can walk alongside you and your journey please feel free to reach out to Lacey@befreerevolution.com.