This week’s author spotlight is author, inspirational speaker, counselor, and CEO, Merry Ware. She is the founder and CEO of Survival 2 Victory, a Behavioral Health and Wellness Center for women, where she provides individual counseling and women’s groups. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Merry is an educational trainer, providing continuing education workshops for mental health professionals and the Moderator for the Queens Court Women’s Empowerment group.
Ware is an inspirational speaker, providing public speaking on topics such as Healing from Abuse, Women’s Empowerment, and Mental Health Awareness. She is the author of the book, It’s Time 2 Heal: Healing the Hole in Your Soul. The book is a life-changing guide to helping you heal from the wounds of abuse and trauma. Merry is also a licensed minister, living out her passion and purpose of helping hurting women heal.
Ware is happily married to her wonderful husband for over 30 years; together, they have two beautiful daughters.
Fancy: How would you describe your SwagHer? What makes Merry, Merry?
Merry: My SwagHer starts with my faith in God, followed by being authentic and true to myself, having a positive outlook, and a healthy dose of self-love.
Fancy: What inspired you to be a counselor?
Merry: I was inspired by my middle school counselor, Ms. Anderson. She was tough on the outside yet caring and encouraging when I talked to her in her office. Also, as far back as high school, I was told numerous times that I was easy to talk to and such a great listener. In addition, people would tell me how much I encouraged and helped them and that I should be a counselor.
Fancy: What type of work do you do at Survival 2 Victory?
Merry: Through our counseling program, I provide individual counseling for women’s issues, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship issues, and more. I specialize in trauma. In addition, I facilitate women’s groups. I am the moderator for the Queens Court Women’s Empowerment Group. The group is for women ages 25 and up to connect with other women dealing with similar challenges. We meet twice a month on Sundays.
I am also a continuing education trainer. Through our educational and training program, I train mental health professionals and other industry professionals to identify, understand, and respond effectively to trauma survivors.
Fancy: I noticed that all of your work revolves around helping women and healing. Were you abused in some way?
Merry: Yes, I was a victim of abuse. I have completed my own personal journey of healing, and now I consider it a blessing to be able to help other women on their journey toward healing.
Fancy: Tell us about your book, “It’s Time to Heal: Healing the Hole in Your Soul.”
Merry: The book is a life-changing guide to helping you heal from the wounds of abuse and trauma. It will help you understand the various kinds of abuse and the impact the abuse has on your life. It offers guidance on reconnecting and reclaiming those things that were once lost or stolen from you. It provides practical tools and evidence-based strategies to help you move forward toward healing. The book is available on Amazon.com.
Fancy: Is there ever a right or wrong time to heal?
Merry: There is never a wrong time to heal. The right time to heal is when the individual decides that she is ready to begin her own personal journey toward healing.
Fancy: What is one myth about healing that you would like to dispel?
Merry: The myth that ‘time alone’ will heal trauma. Some traumas heal over time; however, most require that the trauma be processed appropriately, along with learning new skills such as personal safety, decision-making, and resiliency skills.
Fancy: How would you describe your ideal reader? Who did you write this book for?
Merry: Anyone that is feeling lost, confused, or stuck and wants to get help in order to move forward in their lives would be an ideal reader. This book was written for women struggling with the pain of their past and wanting to know how to move forward on their journey toward healing.
Fancy: What was your writing process like?
Merry: My writing process was exciting and, at times, challenging. Writing a book requires dedication and commitment. It was very important that I stayed motivated and committed to completing the project. It was definitely rewarding to see the finished product.
Fancy: Do you have any other projects or events that you care to share?
Merry: Yes, I am very excited to be speaking at Survival 2 Victory’s In-person Women’s Empowerment Event on October 8th. It is going to be a time of uplifting, empowering, and celebration.
Connect with Merry below:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/merry.ware
Instagram: @survival2victory
Facebook: @survival2victory.org
Website: www.survival2victory.org
Email: merry.authorspeaker@gmail.com
Purchase book: It’s Time 2 Heal: Healing the Hole in Your Soul
