Game Changer Interview: Denise Fitzpatrick

Game Changer Interview: Denise Fitzpatrick

Name of Your Business

Relationship Counseling of Walpole

How Does Your Work Enable You to Connect to and Fulfill Your Life Purpose/Passion?

I am passionate about helping couples turn their relationship around even when they’re afraid it’s become impossible. It’s a true privilege to be able to help couples reconnect with each other and create a relationship they are excited about.  

I also help women improve their relationship with their partner even if their partner won’t go to counseling with them. I love to help empower women to create change in their relationship on their own.

Who Is Your Ideal Client and Why?

Committed couples who are struggling in their relationship and have been repeating painful patterns they have been unable to change on their own.  They truly want to stay together but know that something needs to change. I help bring them back from the brink, turn their relationship around and transform from just barely surviving to whole and thriving.  

What Unique Offerings Do You Provide?

Unlike other therapists, I only specialize in working with couples.  I consistently engage in training and consultation groups so I can provide the best service possible to my clients.  I use more of a coach approach instead of a traditional therapy approach. With a forward focus I help couples create the relationship they desire.  

Who Was Your Role Model Growing Up? How Did That Person’s Actions Impact You?

My first therapist in my early 20’s made a significant impact in my life and in my own work as a therapist.

Favorite Place to Escape and Refuel?

Martha’s Vineyard.  My parents have a house there and it’s a wonderful escape.

Top 3 Ways to Treat Yourself to Self-Care?

Time with friends, Starbucks Iced Coffee, massage

How Do You Express Yourself Creatively?

I don’t consider myself a very creative person.

Last Memorable Book You Read and Why?

I’m always reading books related to my work.  I tend to be reading several at the same time, yet finish none.  A few of them are Attached, Wired for Love, The Divorce Remedy, 7 Principles For Making Marriage Work,

Favorite Movie and Why?

I’m not a big movie buff so if I had to choose I’d say Good Will Hunting…..It’s the first movie I saw with my husband.

“Go to” Quote or Mantra that Grounds You?

You’re exactly where you should be.  

Accomplishment Are You Most Proud of?

Building a successful business.

Best Lesson Learned in Life So Far?

What people think of me is none of my business.

Advice to Younger Self?

You are enough.

What Do You Love Best About Yourself (physical trait or personality characteristic) and Why?

I have the ability to see both sides of almost any situation and have a deep sense of empathy.  It helps me in my own relationships and in my work with couples.

Any Advice for Women Considering Joining the SheBreathes Collaborative?

This is such a supportive welcoming group of women. I’m relatively new still so I look forward to all that this strong, kick ass group of woman has to offer.  I’m excited to be a part of such an energetic community.

Any Message You Have for Our Community?

I look forward to meeting more of the women in this community.

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SheBreathes Sisters Last Memorable Books

SheBreathes Sisters Last Memorable Books

Do you often wonder what others are reading and why? I do. I am always interested in finding out what other people read and how it connects with their life. When a new title comes across my path, I am curious “what is that book about?” Often, it opens my eyes to a topic I haven’t thought about exploring before.

I love books! So, it was fascinating to read all the Game Changers’ interviews and learn about the last memorable books they recommend and why. I created this list to share with our tribe and I hope you find a title that inspires you or discover one that will raise you up. Enjoy!

The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman – I loved the ancient magic and story of sisterhood ~Sonya Highfield

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.  It changed my life, helped me to find my purpose and changed the direction my life is heading! ~Elizabeth Phillips

How to Not Hate Your Husband After Kids. My marriage is so important and I wanted to learn strategies to be my best self for my spouse. ~Becky Bast

After the Locusts. Very encouraging book. ~Angela Callahan

The Great Alone.  This book was epic to many facets to this story.  The descriptions of the Alaskan Wilderness are so vivid, you almost feel like you are there.  Beauty, love, redemption, PTSD, patience, loyalty and the everlasting bonds of family and friends. ~Laurie Mills

The Untethered Soul. It was written in such a way as to remind me again how vast and unlimited I AM. ~Signe Nelson Ayochok

Getting Unstuck by Pema Chodron: It wasn’t about what I thought it would be about! It helped me to “learn to stay”, as she calls it. To be more present both in and out of meditation, and to let go of judgment. ~Devon Grilly

The last memorable book I read was Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? by Dr. Mark Hyman. While this may not be the inspiring book you were expecting me to call out, the entire time I was reading I kept thinking “Finally!” Dr. Hyman does an incredible job of debunking many of the lies and myths about food circulating the internet and health magazines. This book is the perfect balance of research backed facts and easy to read surprising information. I’ve had clients share some pretty crazy nutrition concepts they’ve both read and followed over the years. This book is everything I’ve ever wanted to convey to set the record straight about what you should eat or avoid for optimal health. ~Maggie Dion

Breakfast with Buddha, profoundness in simplicity. ~Beth McLacklan

There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. I like Wayne Dyer’s writing style and the easy way he explains potentially complicated subjects. This book is a great reminder that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience. When we shift our perspective to a spiritual one, we are able to apply the wisdom that is coming from our higher self which speaks to us through gut feelings, hunches, and intuitive insights. ~Susan Kapatoes

The Universe Has Your Back, Gabrielle Bernstein – she speaks to me, this book is about creating your own life, we are always guided, our vibration attracts what we bring, surrender and be an instrument of love. Very inspiring! ~Heidi Wilde

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer – I loved it because it focuses on how to live life in the present without clinging to “stories” of the past or fears of the future that prevent us from enjoying our lives and fully experiencing the world authentically through our 5 senses. ~Jenny Eden Berk

A Mind of Your Own by Kelly Brogan, MD. She has an amazing holistic insight into how medicine and prescription drugs have changed all our health, but especially women’s health.  I refer to her book daily in my practice as a way to help others take control of their emotional and physical health by making small lifestyles changes on a regular basis. ~Tina Rose

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. His candor and love for his profession and the people that came into his life were impactful. It was a bittersweet recent read as I got a glimpse into the life of a man who I hope has found peace. ~Vivien Roman-Hampton

A memoir on Coco Chanel, love her sense of style and she was her own authentic self. ~Karen Carter

Undoctored – Because I’m trying to reverse my health issues. ~Lauren Bortolami Robbins

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown! The title says it all. We need to let go and be present in acceptance of ourselves; as we are! It’s a book you can re-read over and over- and you will find something new that resonates with every reading. ~Mariana Sanford Maynard

The Woman In the Window. Strength. ~Nancy Safran

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. It is a   scary world we live in now. I wish this book can be taught in middle school so children can realize that bullying can cause lasting damage and can change a person’s life. ~Kelly Hathaway

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert was wonderful. I love that it discusses creating to create, not necessarily to make money or because you have a particular expectation. We’re all creative in our own way! Unleash that magic. ~Rachel Kaczynski

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – the main characters grew up in very trying times and in poverty, however, did not look at life that way and found joy and success despite these circumstances. ~Mary Dealy

The Separation by Tova Mirvis. It’s a memoir about how the author not only left her husband but her life of Orthodox Judaism. ~Beth Knaus

All Nicholas Sparks books are my favorites – love the escape, the drama, the passion, and that you never know what the ending will bring. ~Julia Peneda

Evolve Your Brain, Joe Dispenza. This is not an easy read as it is very scientific but due to a severe accident I experienced in October of 2017 and my continuing recovery, I was studying the brain to body connection and how I could assist my recovery in ways outside the norm. It’s all about creating new neuronal connections and with my background as a physician, I even found it hard to read. BUT, the information is invaluable. On a lighter note, I am reading John Holland’s Bridging Two Realms which is about assisting the layperson on how to see the connections with their loved ones in spirit. As I teach workshops on the subject, I love learning anything possible so I can help others. ~Dr. Cathy Ripley Greene

Entangled in Darkness, Seeking the Light. It’s about transformation/healing. ~D’Anne Olsen

The Energy Bus – a major dose of positivity!  Very inspiring, especially in a negative world. ~Therese Nicklas

Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund.  The prose in this book is so descriptive. The author describes every experience in such detail that we can truly experience what she is telling us. This book is a wonderful reminder to take note of even the tiniest details in our everyday life. ~Susan Finn

Love, Anthony. I have an autistic son, and this book displayed a deeper meaning of autism in a beautiful way. ~Kristen Cillo

The Dalai Lama’s Cat by David Michie. Well, I love cats. And I love spirituality and am especially intrigued by Buddhism. Put them together and it’s peanut butter jelly time! ~Elvia Roe

The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Ruben.  A huge light bulb went on for me once I better understood myself as an Obliger, one who would always commit to meeting the expectations of others, often sacrificing the commitment or expectations for myself.  This allowed me to pause and ask my true intentions and goals. ~Carrie Vinson

Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff. I was surprised that I absolutely loved it! It took my surprise how much I learned reading it. ~Maria Salomão-Schmidt

Attached. A true game changer when it comes to the ways in which we grow up and form attachment styles. There are 3. Highly recommend this book. ~Brooke Snyder

Telma Sullivan is a Career Development Coach and Librarian of SheBreathes Balance & Wellness Studio.