Little About Me

I am a widow, a mom, as I am called by my sons, and Nana, called lovingly by my grandchildren. Family is very important to me as well as the love for others. I am passionate about the need for spreading a wide net of mutual love and respect. I love to golf, however, I laugh when I think about the number of times I missed the target by a mile. I am an avid reader and I love poetry. I love the masters, you know, Shakespeare, Chaucer and yes, a little Poe. I enjoy sitting on my patio with a cup of morning Jo and listening to a soft classical melody or a moving gospel hymn. Life is good, and I am still here in the race.

Biography

Dorothy J. Thomas is a heart-felt advocate of Behavioral Health and Addiction Pathology. She was the Director of Addiction Services at Loretto Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science, and a Masters in Human Services, Counseling and Doctor of Religious Philosophy degree in counseling. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) and Gender Competency Endorsement (GEC). Throughout her tenure in the field of Addiction Medicine, Dr. Thomas has functioned as a Clinician and Administrator. Positions held during this period ranged from Executive Director, Manager and Therapist with various organizations. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she is an educator and was a member of the adjunct faculty staff at Triton College; as well as hosting WVON’s Recovery Radio program. Her love and respect for humanity is only exceeded by her passion for working with special populations including women, mentally ill substance abusers, victims of family violence and criminal justice.

Dr. Thomas’ personal accomplishments include, eighteen (18) years as a library Trustee (elected official) for Broadview Public Library District, from 1989-2010. She served two terms as both President and Vice President of the Board. She chaired the building committee with plans of building a new facility. Dr. Thomas was also a member of the 4th Senate District Women’s Committee, 7th Congressional District Substance Abuse Advisory Committee, and Citizens Activated to Change Healthcare (CATCH) Committee (treatment on demand), and member of Triton College Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. She also served on Governor Blagojevich’s Social Service Policy Transition Committee. She was appointed to the Board of Directors of Westside Holistic Family Services, a non-for profit community agency.

Representing the state of Illinois, Dr. Thomas was the invited guest of President George Bush to the unveiling of the “Stop Family Violence” stamp, as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness.She had the honor of engaging the President in conversation regarding the Domestic Violence prevention strategies in Illinois.

Dr. Thomas relocated to Memphis, TN in 2010. Since moving back to her southern roots, she continues to be involved in the community. She was appointed, by the county Mayor, to the Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium in 2013, where she continues to serve. She has completed and published two books, one of which addresses the issue of grief. She continues to be very active in her church where she serves in as Director of Public Relations. She writes a column for a local community not-for-profit organization, addressing the needs of youth.

She states that her life is directed and orchestrated by God’s divine order. “It is my belief and faith that allows me to continue to venture down the roads less traveled. Furthermore, the work we do will not provide wealth but fulfillment, not freedom but commitment, not awards but rewards, not despair but hope, not attribution but contribution. For whom much is given, much is expected. Her philosophy of life revolves around learning and she believes that “Once learning has ceased, so does living.” This is who I am, and this is what I live by.”

My Books

Down In the Valley...Weeping May Endure For A Night

The journey through the valley of the shadow of death does not end when a loved one dies ... but rather is just beginning. How long will you linger down in the valley? How long until healing comes? How long will the pain and loneliness smother your heart and spirit? How long until God speaks peace and healing, learning and growth to your soul? The answer, just like the experience of the journey itself, is different for everyone. Walk through the valley with the author as she travels through memories, emotions, and questions. She shares her questions, her anger, her slowly growing understanding and changes, to offer guidance on your personal path through the valley. Just as she learned, the deepest pain comes in the darkest moment of the night. Cry out to God ... and before you know it, your tears will fade to sweet rest and peace, and joy will come in the morning.

Price: $21.95

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On The Outside Looking In.

Joel and Jenny Lowe; an upper-class married Christian couple’s marriage was built on a foundation of sand. Their marriage is riddled with deceit, omissions, shame and guilt. Due to Jenny, they are faced with myriads of life’s dilemmas that threaten to rip apart their delicate union. You see, Jenny has a secret, in fact, she has several—secrets, that are placing her marriage, career, and her life in perilous jeopardy. However, Jenny has reached a fork in the road. Does she lose everything, or is her life and world restored by the power of God?

Price: $21.95

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Media Contributions

Healing From Grief.

Dr. Dorothy J Thomas brings 20+ years of experience in the fields of addiction, behavior health, training, staff and organizational development, and counseling. If you have experienced one or more losses, and you wish to move beyond the pain, this program offers you the probability of a richer and more rewarding life. ...

ReNewing The Spirit Motivational Moments. (AUDIO)

Description Coming Soon. Listen to the station now... ...

N Recovery Radio Show.

Get The Help You Need to Overcome The Obstacles In Your Life. Coming Soon on HolywoodRadio.com ...

Girlfriend Lifestyle Online Magazine.

Contributing Writer ...

As a credentialed expert in Behaviorial Health, Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas would make an excellent guest for your Media Outlet.

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas is available to provide your brand, station, publication or media outlet inspiratonal programming to enhance your product. Contact DEWAYNE BENTON (publicist) for more information. ...

As a credentialed expert in Behaviorial Health, Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas would make an excellent guest for your Media Outlet.

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas is available to provide your brand, station, publication or media outlet inspiratonal programming to enhance your product. Contact DEWAYNE BENTON (publicist) for more information. ...

My Gallery

Dr. Thomas Speaker Sheet

Book Dr. Thomas For Your Next Event

My First Book Signing For "On The Outside Looking In"

Cokesbury Christian Store/Memphis, Tennessee

Golfing with the "Q's" Omega Psi Phi

2008

Loretto Hospital Annual Golf Outing

Chicago, Il

National Domestic Violence Awareness with President George W. Bush

October 8, 2003 At The Whitehouse

Life COGIC Annual Community Day

Dr. Thomas with Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, Yvonne Williams

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas

Down In The Valley...Weeping May Endure For a Night

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas Consulting

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas Consulting’s mission is to explore and address the needs of the individual and community through education, counseling and healing. Unresolved grief is an area that continues to remain hidden by hundreds of people in our society.

My husband, friend, and confidant for forty years, passed away in 2007, leaving me broken, empty and feeling hopeless. This journey of grief, caused me to experience a whirlwind of emotions without purpose or power. My faith played a monumental role in bringing me out of valley that had been a part of my life for several years. My most recent book, “Down In The Valley, Weeping May Endure For A Night”, shares this journey of love,loss and restoration. I still felt that I needed more so I decided to invest in a training program that would provide further clarity and closure for me. One that would give me the tools to help others in their quest to “Move Beyond Loss”.

I read many articles and researched a number of programs in an effort to obtain the information and curriculum that would provide me the knowledge and insight I desired. Finally, it happened. I found an organization that totally met my needs. The Grief Recovery Institute® founded by John W. James and Russell Friedman. John W. James and Russell Friedman have been working with grievers for more than thirty years. They have served as consultants to thousands of bereavement professionals and provide Grief Recovery Method ® Seminars and Certification Programs throughout the United States and Canada with our clients seeking services in addressing their individual and personal needs, as well as, stakeholders with interest in improving community human resources.

THE DEFINITION 

THE NORMAL AND NATURAL REACTION TO LOSS OF ANY KIND. THEREFORE, THE FEELINGS YOU ARE HAVING ARE ALSO NORMAL AND NATURAL FOR YOU.  WHILE GRIEF IS NORMAL AND NATURAL, AND CLEARLY THE MOST POWERFUL OF ALL EMOTIONS, IT IS ALSO THE MOST NEGLECTED AND MISUNDERSTOOD EXPERIENCE, OFTEN BY BOTH THE GRIEVERS AND THOSE AROUND THEM.

THE PROBLEM 

IS NORMAL AND NATURAL, MOST OF THE INFORMATION PASSED WITHIN OUR SOCIETY ABOUT DEALING WITH GRIEF IS NOT NORMAL, NATURAL, OR HELPFUL. GRIEF IS THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO LOSS, BUT MOST OF THE INFORMATION WE HAVE LEARNED ABOUT DEALING WITH LOSS IS INTELLECTUAL.  THE MAJORITY OF INCORRECT IDEAS ABOUT DEALING WITH LOSS CAN BE SUMMED UP IN SIX MYTHS WHICH ARE SO COMMON THAT NEARLY EVERYONE RECOGNIZES THEM. MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER QUESTIONED WHETHR OR NOT THEY ARE VALID. THE MISINFORMATION IS BEST DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING SIX MYTHS

THE SOLUTION 

THE RECOVERY FROM LOSS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY DISCOVERING AND COMPLETING ALL OF THE UNDELIVERED COMMUNICATIONS THAT ACCRUE IN RELATIONSHIPS. WE ARE AKK ADVISED TO “LET GO” AND ‘MOVE ON”, AFTER LOSSES OF ALL KINDS. MOST OF US WOULD DO THAT IF WE KNEW HOW.

IT IS TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LIFE IN THE HERE AND NOW”. WE CAN NOT LIVE A PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLED LIFE IF WE CHOOSE ONLY TO EXIST. HAPPINESS IS LIVING NOT MERELY EXISTING. CHOOSE TO LIVE TODAY AND MOVE BEYOND YOUR LOSS.”

DOROTHY J. THOMAS

CERTIFIED GRIEF RECOVERY SPECIALIST®

Dr. Dorothy J. Thomas Consulting

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