Healing lies at the crossroads of faith and medicine

Leah’s Light is a mental health recovery center hidden in the mountains of the Eastern Sierras. It is here that an unlikely group of five patients, each at the precipice of suicide in their lives, embark together on a tumultuous path to find hope and purpose. From the ambitious Ivy League college student whose identity has been forged by achievement, to a retired coach struggling with the constraints of a progressive illness, each character must work to uncover the lies that have trapped them in a moment of despair.

At Leah’s Light, the patients tell their stories from their own unique perspectives as they engage in intensive sessions with a faith-based psychiatrist. United by a common cause, to build a rescue center to help survivors of human trafficking, the group coalesces into a powerful team until catastrophe threatens one of their own. Loss of Lies excavates the buried crossroads of culture, faith, and medicine and reveals a message of hope to all whose lives have ever been impacted by mental illness or suicide. This novel takes a surprising look at how the victorious vulnerability of mental wounds powerfully invites the presence of the Author of healing.

Why I Wrote This:

The world is suffering. In the past decade rates of young adult suicide have increased by nearly 60%. Over 1 million people in the US attempt to take their life, approximately one attempt every 27.5 seconds. In June of 2020, 40% of adults in the US reported having challenges with mental health or substance abuse. At this time, there is unprecedented demand for mental health services and a gross shortage of providers. The patients I see are experiencing more devastation and pain than ever before. Loss of Lies came out of my grief for this suffering. In a world where you can wait over 6 months to see a psychiatrist, I wanted to reach beyond my own patients and help as many people as I could. If through this novel, I can offer even a word of hope, even a whisper of healing, then this endeavor will be a success.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255

A Little About Me:

I was born in San Diego, CA, a city with near-perfect weather and an amazing coastline. I spent a lot of time in childhood at the beach watching my dad play volleyball. After his professional career, he turned to coaching and the beaches of life turned to hard court. I developed the amazing talent of being able to take a nap on a gym floor. As my companions on the sidelines were often medical trainers, I embraced a passion for medicine along with an intense approach to life. In the classroom, I was fascinated with almost every subject.

My search for an intense university where I could study across disciplines led me to Cornell University in Ithaca, NY (not-so-perfect weather, but “gorges”) where I majored in Spanish Literature and studied pre-medicine. I was definitely the only Spanish Literature major in my medical school class. While in med school, I was completely blindsided by my love for psychiatry. The medical and sociologic sides of me were both at peace. In psychiatry residency, I had amazing mentors, thoughtful and multidimensional doctors, who encouraged my love for literature and people. Now I am a board-certified psychiatrist who has been practicing for over 15 years.

In my personal life, I struggled. My sin had painful consequences, and I felt many times the ache of my actions. I walked through some dark valleys but emerged with a deep humility and tenderness for God. I have been shown astounding grace and through it a redemptive path to healing. I now spend my life working to help others find theirs.

I am married to Steven, my partner in ministry and best friend. He is the Pastor of Discipleship at North Hills Church. Together we have four children, between the ages of 11 and 18. Yes, that’s a lot of teenagers! They are all wonderfully unique, and my time with them is one of life’s most precious gifts.

I been involved in multiple ministries, but I am most passionate about the fight against human trafficking and have hosted fundraising walks through A21 and churches.

Every day I take up the cause of mental illness. I serve many patients who have questions about the integration of faith and medicine and am dedicated to bridging an understanding between my family in faith and the medical community.

In addition to spending time with my family, I love hiking, reading, and drinking tea. I have three canine children, an insatiable and mischievous Lagotto, a small, snuggly rescue dog and a Goldendoodle who is undeniably perfect. We all enjoy regular trips to a family home in June Lake, CA.

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