Not All Angels Have Wings
Dr. Angel R. Miller is redefining her own restoration and recharging and helping others cope and heal and discover their own along the way. Let’s revisit with her and check-in.
How has your passion for helping others evolved and how do you keep the fire burning within yourself to continue to advocate for the causes that are important to you?
Since relocating from Charlotte / Gastonia in 2021 to the Outer Banks, I have completed my PhD in Biblical Counseling and am currently working to establish a private practice in the Outer Banks. Additionally, I recertified as an Addiction Counselor and my work with current clients is rewarding, especially for those experiencing severe addiction and PTSD – I thrive on helping them achieve wholeness. I am coordinating with others to help bring a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter to the Outer Banks, NC. My career as an addiction counselor keeps me fairly busy; however, I am still connected to leaders within the community, along with being passionate about assisting my clients with the best possible recovery experience. Ministry endeavors have increased as well, I am an active member of a Hebrew community based out of Knightdale, NC serving in the capacity of education, trauma, addiction, being an assistant, and adjunct professor for the ministry’s cojoined bible college.
You have experienced your own valleys with health and wellness. How did those episodes inspire you to be of aid to others who may have experienced the same or similar in their journey? Did you feel like anything was missing as far as resources when you were struggling that you have now provided a solution for?
Ironically, many of the clients I have served here in the Outer Banks (or currently serving) suffer with some of the health conditions I have experienced and continue experiencing. As I reflect on my challenges with receiving adequate healthcare, my heart often aches for these individuals as they face challenges obtaining appropriate resources. My significant health conditions forced me to discover alternative methods of managing pain (especially Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Diabetes). These alternatives do not always help 100% but they make things better. The biggest thing for me is teaching clients or individuals to utilize coping skills and mindset, along with mindfulness to navigate these chronic pain and health issues.
Since we last chatted with you there has definitely been a major upsurge in mental health concerns and awareness. Even the COVID pandemic has caused healthcare to be at the forefront of many headlines. Have you noticed an increase in not only people needing help but also an increase in people wanting to do and feel better and therefore seeking help versus ignoring health concerns and just hoping they will go away?
There is definitely much to be said regarding how COVID has affected the mental health and other medical conditions of people, especially mental health concerns among teenagers and underserved populations. Suicide attempts have increased, depression and anxiety is at an all time high. With that substance use and abuse has increased. Nonetheless, I do see individuals practicing self-care rituals, recovery-based activities, and seeking safety among therapeutic professionals and other providers. Healthcare parameters have changed and many providers find themselves not being able to sustain viable practices in many areas, therefore are relocating or changing fields.
How would you define restoration when it comes to the work that you do? What is one strategy that even in its most generic form can be applied to most areas of concern or healing goals?
For me, this goes back to my own reconciliation and restoration with Christ Messiah. After facing numerous difficulties personally and professionally, I found myself at the bottom of the valley seeking solutions for my despair. This same restoration is what I teach daily to clients and others on social media. Most High Yah is a loving and caring God, who seeks to bring wholeness in the lives of His children. But even for my clients or others who do not believe in Him, how I live my life is visible to them and these individuals become inspired by my resilience to overcome challenges and still choose to live a quality life. This strategy, again, is developing and executing a positive mind set and utilizing coping skills which provoke peace, calm, and healing instead of focusing on negative skills that yield poor outcomes. Teaching my clients to establish at least three achievable and small goals per day works for their healing process. As a client achieves a goal, he or she becomes more confident that achieving success is possible.
You are trained and certified in many areas and have several businesses, but what does a typical day look like for you now? What are the areas that you are actively working in all these areas at once and looking back how do you feel like they enhanced the work you were doing?
Many years ago, Most High blessed me to establish an international platform through my first book His Purpose, My Praise. From that one endeavor launched numerous projects, features, assignments, and purpose. Ultimately, all of those past projects led me to becoming ordained as a pastor, pursuing a Biblical Counseling degree and becoming an Addiction and Trauma Counselor (A long journey which cannot be captured in this one response) which is my full-time career now. Through my business, I published personal projects for others, published my own books, marketed for people, and helped individuals launch their own endeavors. Now I am focused more on counseling, coaching, and ministry endeavors. I still write. I still compile anthologies but not as much as I once did in the beginning. There is one project forthcoming, long overdue but baking in the oven titled My Sister’s Keeper: Timeless Tips, Tidbits & Wisdom for women.
Read Dr. Angels first feature interview with CWM
Tell our readers what you do overall with A. Morris Consulting, LTD and where you are based now?
A Morris Consulting, LTD is the name I originally planned to launch as my umbrella company, however, I am changing that name. I am unsure what the new company name will be at this time. Formally, Angel B. Inspired, Inc was the name which my publishing and consulting company are housed under. My heart is going in a different direction, just not sure what yet. I am currently taking suggestions. LOL
Who is your support circle when you need support and how do you recharge?
Recharge – on the beach or at a nearby restaurant, the park, walking my dog through the neighborhood, prayer, listening to music. My support system consists professionally of some of my coworkers, a circle of awesome friends at home and out here in the Outer Banks, my family, daughter, and my ministry family. Today, I can say that I have a strong support system, which has evolved from where it once was.
What is the last thing you did for yourself in terms of self-care?
Most recently, I spent about 3 hours on the beach with my dog, reading and relaxing. Living at the beach provides me with great opportunities to practice self-care. Self-care is a priority for me, especially as a counselor. Often, I will unwind by applying a facial, purchase a lovely bouquet of flowers for my apartment or office, get a pedicure, eat at a favorite restaurant, or just watch mindless television. My downtime is key and a must at least 15 minutes per day, which is a routine I established many years ago. The very last thing I have done is spend a few hours at the nail salon for a much deserved pedicure and nail treatment.
What is the last good book you read written by a woman (not including your own) OR What song currently gets you motivated and ready to conquer the world?
Currently I am reading Switch On Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf and often refer to Commanding Your Morning by Dr. Cindy Trimm. As for music, praise and worship is always a go to for me, as well as smooth jazz, classical piano or old school R&B. A favorite I have been listening to lately is Strength, Courage & Wisdom by India Arie.
I notice on your blog you mention creating a life in the Outer Banks. Tell us about that.
In 2021, I left my job in Gastonia and moved to the beach in Kitty Hawk, NC accepting a much better opportunity financially, professionally, and personally. I have always wanted to live at the beach, and this has been a rewarding experience waking up to the sound of the ocean daily and being able to create work life balance at the beach is amazing.
What does family look like these days and what do you do in your downtime?
Family is important to me; however, I rarely see them since moving to the OBX. We attempt to schedule times during the year to visit and spend time together when possible. During December 2022, I was able to travel home for a two-week vacation to Charlotte and Greensboro to spend time with my family and close friends.
Any recent accomplishments or since your last feature that you would like to share?
Since my last feature, I received a Bachelors in Christian Education, Masters in Christian Counseling, Addiction Counselor Certification, PhD in Biblical Counseling, Associates in Ministry, Trauma Specialist Certification, an Honorary Doctorate in Sacred Literature, and contributed to multiple fiction anthologies.
Anything to add?
Gratefulness is my mantra. Without my past experiences, adversities, disappointments, and even historical successes I would not be in the place I am today. Everything I endured “worked out for my good” as mentioned in Romans 8:38. These light and momentary circumstances have molded me into a better and happier woman. My life is at a good place and just as my clients are taught to focus on the present, I say “Today, just for today, all is well.”
For more information visit www.drangelmiller.com.
