on beautiful Whidbey Island
Erick Westphal
Youth/Community Advocate
Erick has been working with youth, children and families since 1993, in the roles of social worker, mentor, group facilitator, trainer and consultant. Many of these youth have been involved with the foster care system and are in need of positive guidance, role modeling and support in finding their way into a healthy adulthood. Erick specializes in emancipation conferencing, family conferencing, independent living skills, healthy anger management and youth leadership programs. He has also facilitated men's groups. Erick is Director of Community Programs at the Reiki Sanctuary, and is also very involved with several local organizations that work with youth, including the South Whidbey Youth Connection, CADA, and the Whidbey Children's Theater.
Prior to coming to Whidbey, Erick worked for over thirteen years with the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency at the Gilroy Family Resource Center in Gilroy, CA. Erick's personal and professional philosophy is one of integrity, respect and ethics, and he has had great success in helping young people identify goals, strengths, passions and dreams, and in helping them map out plans for achieving these, in cooperation with the youth's family members, teachers, counselors and others who are important in their lives.
Erick is retired from the U.S. army reserves, where he worked for 15 years as a psychiatric technician. During this time, as well as during his tenure with the Social Services Agency, Erick received intensive leadership and mentorship training.
Erick is available for contract and consultation work on the island and in nearby communities, and as time allows, hosts youth and community events and special projects at the Reiki Sanctuary.
Erick's e-mail is wolfcateagle@gmail.com.
Reiki Master Teacher
Sue Averett, MA, MSW, Reiki Master, teaches Reiki classes at the Reiki Sanctuary on Whidbey Island, and at other locations as her schedule permits. Additionally, she sees individuals privately for Wellness/Healing Sessions, and holds a variety of workshops and special events. She has been practicing Reiki since 1992, and teaching it since 2004.
Sue teaches Reiki from a mostly traditional standpoint, having taken Levels One (first degree) and Two (second degree) from Reiki Master Fran Brown, who was herself trained by Hawayo Takata who brought Reiki to the west. Sue completed Reiki Level Three (third degree) and her Reiki Master Teacher training with Jeanine Sande, a more eclectic Reiki Master who also incorporates contemporary techniques into her classes. Sue's personal approach to spirituality and Reiki practice includes her philosophy and training in Native American/Indigenous Wisdom with Chief Sonne Reyna and Elayne (Laynee) Bluebird Reyna, as well as the influence of visionary artist/author Mary Saint-Marie who teaches the practice of Holy Sight, which strives to see all through the eyes of highest vision, compassion and forgiveness. Another strong influence has been the work of Paramahansa Yogananda.
Sue has worked as executive director of a local children's theater and a non-profit health care organization, was manager of a family resource center, and is an experienced social worker, counselor, workshop facilitator, event planner and speaker. She has Master's degrees in both Social Work and Counselor Education, a BA in Art Education, and is also ordained through the Association for the Integration of the Whole Person. Sue has trained with the Centre for Living with Dying & incorporates grief therapy into her work, and is also a certified Theta Healing practitioner.
Sue was honored during the summer of 2000 to be chosen for a two-week fellowship to the Vallecitos Mountain Refuge in Taos, New Mexico, to rejuvenate & revision with other community activists from around the country. It was there that she realized her vision of opening a spiritual center, and in 2001, The Sanctuary opened for business in the San Francisco Bay Area, with the intention of helping create conscious community, as well as a sacred space to practice the healing arts. After several successful years of teaching and practicing Reiki and facilitating various groups and workshops at The Sanctuary, Sue, her husband Erick, and daughter Ariana, have relocated to Whidbey Island. Sue was born in Seattle and always had a yearning to return "home." She and Erick share a love of nature, travel, holistic living and spiritual exploration. They are happy to house the Reiki Sanctuary in their home on three tranquil acres in Freeland.
Sue's e-mail is reiki4innerpeace@yahoo.com
