Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaleigh Rogers.
Hi Kaleigh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Most certainly! I can say that I never anticipated being a therapist or serving others the way I do now. My story includes both tragedy and triumph, and the person that has come out on the other side shines brighter than I ever imagined possible. I am a nationally certified trauma therapist, business owner, master builder in a local nonprofit, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, an Arizona board of behavioral health certified supervisor, engaging speaker, and writer. I am absolutely a builder and healer – spearheading the creation of supportive spaces for people to heal, grow, and shine like the incredible people they are. I was born in West Virginia. I was raised in a one-stoplight town until I moved to Arizona in 1998. My ancestry is full of coal miners, military members, and farmers. Things were not always easy for my ancestors or me, but I did have a loving family by my side. I have experienced traumatic events throughout my life and experienced what it means to live with complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Isn’t it wild that a person with CPTSD would end up being a nationally certified trauma therapist? When I was younger I found myself in a low place. It was in this place that Jesus met me – He assured me that He loved me and has walked with me since that time. That’s been my saving grace and why I’m still kicking. I was given no doubt a full heart for others, in particular a heart for inner-city youth and the justice affected. As a teenager I would see the pain in the world and desperately wanted to do something about it. I thought I would be a teacher but God certainly had other plans. At 18 when trying to decided what to do the rest of my life I had a midlife crisis and a divine interaction with God. He directed me to “help people.” So I kept walking in the direction of serving others and served in many capacities. I supported the aged on a dementia unit, ran healing groups in a domestic violence shelter for women and their children, I helped men and women with legal issues at a congressional office, and then found my long-term home working full-time at a residential treatment center for youth in which I remained for 6 years. These youth were admitted out of detention and psychiatric hospitals to receive treatment for trauma, emotional, and behavioral disorders. At their core: they were hurting kids that needed love, teaching, and a chance. I loved those kids. Some, now adults, call me and let me know where they are and how they doing. I am beyond proud of the courage these youth have to face life’s hills and valleys. Total inspiration!
Even while I served with passion, vigor, and skill, I myself had some things to work out. No human, even therapists, are unflawed. I was now a legitimate workaholic working in a broken Arizona mental health system. The demand was higher than human capacity can allow. And I ran full force into it all. I burnout. Although I walked with God, I was too busy to allow Him to truly work through me so I took it all on my shoulders. Bad idea. I could no longer work in a system in which I was a workhorse. I couldn’t do it anymore. I remember sitting in my office, paralyzed… Something had to change.
Around this time I felt the call to be around horses. I didn’t grow up with them, though I did grow up in nature. I trusted my intuition and was invited to participate in the Rite of Passage pilot program that pairs traumatized and anxious horses with people facing the same opportunities for healing. I fell in love with this way of healing. This was right before the start of the pandemic in 2020 and still I needed to work full-time so I went through three rounds of interviews for the Lighthouse Project – a comprehensive outpatient program to love on and walk with hurting teens and their families. Picture this: the final interview was on a Saturday morning at 9am at a boys and girls club in South Phoenix. I was being interviewed by 30 youth in South Phoenix! – I wouldn’t be hired unless I was approved. To this day I am so thankful I was. This project was like no other. I was treated with respect and dignity as a clinician. I was not overworked. I received top-notch clinical oversight, and was able to follow God’s calling to serve these youth. I still work with some of these youth, now adults, to this day. During my time there my mentor and director saw the leadership gift I was given. I soon led the advanced trauma team which became a sanctuary for other therapists and their clients to receive the most effective trauma treatment. We built a beautiful team but some internal changes happened during a company buyout and I knew God’s next clear call: it’s time to fully launch into entrepreneurship and ministry.
I was terrified. And liberated! I followed His calls and built my business (well, really it’s God’s business): Shine His Light, LLC – a place for the lost and hurting. Shine His Light ensures no one gets left behind. Don’t have health insurance? It doesn’t matter. I partnered and helped spearhead a local nonprofit to ensure people had access to the care they need. I continued to lead in cutting edge trauma treatments including unique equine therapy programs, one day retreats, and outdoor adventures. I am also an engaging speaker and hope dealer these days. Shine His Light shines in the darkness of the mental health epidemic, the access to care wall, and bridges the gap in Bible literacy so others can understand what they are reading and apply it to help others. I shine His light wherever I go. People need to know they are loved and they matter.
If you would’ve told the small town girl West Virginia girl who now lives in the Arizona desert that she would one day inspire so many, she would’ve looked up and said “we’ll see.” Well, she gets to see that now. Big dreams are possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Robert, this road has been interesting!! There have been major challenges and set backs but in all reality, all the set backs feel like set ups for the here and the now. All the challenges, spiritual battles, and uncertainty I have faced have produced in me perseverance, strength, and wisdom. A client recently told me that challenges are really opportunities for growth. And I’ve had plenty of those.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I founded and own Shine His Light LLC, a place dedicated to offer emotional freedom, healing, and self-discovery connecting people to a broader community of support. Using the 10+ years of professional experience, and 30+ years of personal experience, I developed Shine His Light to be a place for the lost and hurting. I am in the business of dealing hope. There’s so many lost and hurting souls out there – like a sheep lost in the wilderness clinging to the edge. I serve these individuals in various ways. These days I hold many hats: Christian trauma therapist, equine group therapist, nonprofit master builder, business owner, fundraiser, networker, writer, engaging speaker, and hope dealer. In a simple sentence though I essentially shine His light wherever I go. I am known for my big smile, humor, compassion, and a fire to serve others. I have spoken to over 200 therapists, at women’s and men’s retreats, equine therapy events, and am an expert in trauma, mental and spiritual health. I work with groups, individuals, and horses to let His living water flow through. On any given week I am seeing individual clients for trauma therapy, facilitating equine therapy groups, meeting with business owners to sponsor Shine His Light, leading outdoor adventures, writing my first book, and developing creative content to inspire others. What really sets me a part is that I love everyone. Doesn’t matter if you are an oddball, outcast, served in prison, or are scared to be yourself. I love you. That’s something I am full of gratitude for – that God has given me a heart for others and directed me to go out and serve. He calls us and I answered Him.
What does success mean to you?
This is an interesting question. If I answer in worldly terms, success is living life in abundance with my family, serving others, and changing the landscape of the mental health system. In spiritual terms, success is defined by loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul, and loving others deeply, and wholly. I’ve learned that if I lead in the spiritual first, the second follows suit. The fact I’m alive and continuing to inspire others is certainly success to me.
Pricing:
- I’m ready to speak on platforms more and more.
- I’m seeking to write the books God has put on my heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: azbrokenarrow.com/shineHislight
- Instagram: @shineHislight_llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacqueline.rogers.718
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-kaleigh-rogers-lcsw-mpa-bc-tmh-cctp-76365b7a/
- Other: azbrokenarrow.com/donate
Image Credits
Kaitlyn Bundy Photo
