Hope Harbor Counseling

My Story

Marita Tiller LPC

Marita Tiller LPC: Stories of Survival

Some people have intense major events in life that capture their attention and cause them to pivot, re-think what they’re doing and where they are going. It shapes their passions and motives for much of what they do. For me, it was largely a steady drip of awareness that I am loved and safe in the hands of my Creator, my Lord Jesus Christ. Part of that awareness came from the stories of my parents, who professed His powerful hand in their survival in Europe during WWII, as evacuees, displaced people, immigrants to 5 countries, who lived in the forest for a time and were kept safe. This taught me to turn to God throughout my life, but to be honest, God is the one who always kept me close to Him.

Respecter of Cultures

It wasn’t always easy having 5 siblings and being a kid whose parents were different, but it forced me to align with my faith and what God thought of me, rather than what others thought. I assimilated into the American culture and was able to have a broader perspective of people and their origins, that we are innately more alike than different, and each of us has something amazing to offer the world. It also taught me that what we see doesn’t guarantee that the assumptions we make about others are correct. I passionately love people because everyone has value as humans, no matter what they believe, even if it is different than my beliefs.

A Pivot Towards My Calling

I got married young, had 2 children, stayed home for 10 years and raised them, realizing through the years that my heart ached for people who had been abused, who suffered at the hand of others, people both close to them and strangers alike. After an understanding of significant betrayal, I became a divorced part-time mom who had to learn to support myself. I went back to school and earned a degree in communication studies, then re-married and returned to school again to become a counselor.

Journey to Trauma Work

I began working in residential treatment in 2006 and later taught skills to parents and their kids to address the difficulties that caused big disruptions. In 2009, I began my counseling career, working with a variety of clients. Not long after, I honed in on my passion of trauma recovery with adults so that they can be healthy individuals, parents, and leaders. This included training in EMDR and becoming a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

You already have everything inside you that makes you YOU.

I am a respecter of people, I believe that the core of who you are is always present inside even if it isn’t nurtured, protected, and free to grow. I believe re-wiring of the brain is possible and past painful experiences do not have to intrude on the present forever. I am incredibly honored to be a part of the process of removing the shackles that keep you from moving forward and living life as a free person.