"Prior to my son’s passing, I was a grief facilitator, COO and interim Executive Director at a grief support center. When I encountered grief firsthand, and after unsuccessful support from three clinical professionals, I met April and knew instantly I found a safe place to be vulnerable. There is no judgment, nor following of any prescribed path. April opens up the space I need to explore my feelings and supports me with grace and dignity. I’ve been with April for 2 years and consider our relationship a gift for my well-being."

--Rich, Unitarian Universalist

--Mark, Jewish

Grief Companion

Virtual (Zoom) or In Person

"April was more than a lifesaver, helping me navigate my very personal grieving journey. Her empathy, love and support was invaluable."

You are the only 'expert' navigating your way through your grief, but having a companion to listen to the stories, the tears, and the silences can be a help and a comfort when facing loss in this life we share.

I will offer you my presence, listening and compassion as you find your way forward no matter the circumstances of your loss or the length of time since the death.

SoulCollage®

Learn from a Certified Facilitator. Groups. One-on-One. 1/2 day Retreats. In Person. Virtual on Zoom.

"When the Soul wants to experience something she throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it." Meister Eckhart, 1260-1328

"...tear out your first image...wonder what it symbolizes...let the image speak to you...there is gold in the process." Seena Frost, SoulCollage® Founder

4 hour retreats for groups of 8 people at $45/person. Personalized training in 2 hour sessions for $40. Sessions can be focused on grief or other healing, spirituality, crafting your future, or chakra energy.

There is a satisfaction that comes from the first tear of an image out of a magazine followed by a curiosity of what it might look like to add two or more distinctly different, perhaps seemingly conflicting images together, leading to a deepening of connection and understanding when the newly assembled image begins to reveal a wisdom that is already within us waiting to be seen and heard.

SoulCollage® is a process created by Artist and Psychotherapist Seena Frost that invites us to create a "deck of cards" with specific size & style and to engage the deck with a particular practice that gives voice to our inner wisdom.

Let me teach you the process and then whether as a Retreat Leader for a group, a Spiritual Director or as a Grief Companion, allow me to listen with you as you hear from within how to move forward with self-compassion and trusted intuition.

Each deck is for personal use to be interpreted only by the creator. Decks can be shaped to contain "suits" that help us identify our inner and outer resources. Cards can represent real people, universal archetypes, and Chakra energies.

Stay for half a day or over several nights. Meal plans possible.

The Enneagram

Some refer to this ancient tool as 'types' or 'personalities' or 'styles'. Russ Hudson refers to the Enneagram as "Nine Gateways to Presence."

I find the Enneagram to be a dynamic way to get to know how I have learned so far to function in the world, and how I can further learn to be more fully myself, more fully connected to others, and more deeply engaged with Life.

I would be delighted to guide you to resources to help you identify your number on the Enneagram and then help you understand this powerful, ages-old tool.

Much more than a "label"! I will help you understand your number as a starting point from which you can navigate the circle to be more aware of your gifts, limitations and learning edges, and how you might best employ other strategies for self-understanding, growth and joy.

The view from where I sit....

Sand Tray

for storytelling and self expression....

Archetypes that represent mothers, fathers, children, monsters, religious figures and so much more can simply but profoundly illustrate chapters in the book of your life and help you look more deeply and see more clearly.

A spiritual direction or grief companioning session can be enhanced by the quiet storytelling that happens in the sand tray. Let the statues help you express what might be otherwise difficult to reveal.

"I immediately fell in love with Sand Tray at the Jung Center in Houston, Texas. Like so many, I find this to be a most helpful tool to visualize my story without having to draw or paint. Come explore my collection and your own heart either one on one or in a small group." --April Boyden

Want my toys to come to you? Talk to me about facilitating a retreat!

Your Wedding Day!

Funerals & Memorials

Having served in congregations and in hospices, I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting so many wonderful people and their families. I have been further privileged to be with some at their last breath. And then honored to be with loved ones as they began to grieve and then formally gather to remember, to honor, and to begin the more outward work of mourning.

Whether your grief is very new or much time has passed, I would be honored to assist you in planning a meaningful service to remember a loved one.

I am available to be the officiant when other details are tended by a funeral home; OR I can meet with you to plan location, music, order of service and other details.

Planning a service is itself a time of honoring and remembering. The sharing of stories before, during and after helps us move forward in our grief.

Pulpit Supply and Public Speaking

With some Irish heritage, I am drawn to the Celtic expression of the Divine Spirit as a wild goose. The Holy has been known to pursue us with relentless vigor! I would be delighted to explore scripture in your place of worship.

I am no stranger to microphones and am comfortable engaging small groups at retreats, or larger congregations in worship.

Previous topics: art & poetry as meditation & prayer, shame and guilt in the spiritual experience, recovering from religious harm, living with grief, nurturing resilience in work and private life, pondering personal history, care-giving & service, learning through interfaith conversations, creating home altars & rituals, experiencing epiphanies and more. What would you like to dive into? Let's chat!

"April delivered a warm, deeply insightful presentation sharing profound wisdom with genuine passion that left a lasting impact on everyone at our (hospice caregivers) retreat." --Moriah, Registered Nurse