Melodie Asdell
Storywork Coach
Meet Melodie
A person's story is profoundly precious, and I hold deep respect for the courage it takes to place one's story under the care of another. It's no small thing to begin to speak what might feel unspeakable - to trust that your words will land in gentle, wise hands, that you will be held in a space marked by both tenderness and strength.
Through years of my own Storywork - including the careful reconstruction and rebuilding of my faith - I discovered a calling to sit with others as they explore their lives and stories. The old English word respair speaks to a fresh hope: a recovery from despair, a willingness to hope again. My hope, as we sit together and engage your story, is that there would be a sacred exchange of despair for respair - so that you come home to yourself in new ways.
I am especially attuned to stories shaped by profound harm - stories that can feel fragile, complex, or heavy with grief. I bring a steady, grounded presence to this work, able to remain with what is painful or unsettling without turning away, while honoring the dignity and agency of the storyteller.
Specialties Include
Storywork
Family-of-origin wounds
Sexual Harm
Spiritual Harm
Trauma
Abuse
Learn More
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Certificate of Completion | ReStory Institute Level 1 & 2
Spiritual Director | Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction
Recovery Weeks Trauma Training | Allender Center
Small Group Leader | Abuse Recovery
Leadership Training | Open Hearts Ministry
B. S. Organizational Development & Change | IU School of Business
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My desire is to offer protection and containment to my clients. Bringing visibility to private, deep places in our hearts and stories is no small thing. We deserve to be held responsibly while we do our work.
I believe in the importance of integrating all three centers of our intelligence: Mind, heart, and body.
My doctor calls what ails my left foot Functional Instability. It meant an end to my running, yet I am able to remain active in other ways. However, my foot requires extra care like PT, balance and strength training, and good shoes with medical grade inserts. Because of this consistent, intentional care of my foot, my whole self is able to remain active and strong.
Storywork is a bit like that - there are no bad parts, yet we all have parts that need more care to be at our best. No part, no chapter of your story, is too big or too small. No part is too much, or not enough. No matter your season of life, you are worth good care. And it's never, ever too little or too late. Until you take your last breath, you are worth taking care of.
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My love of story is a thread woven through every season of my life. I have always taken delight in losing myself for hours in the pages of a good book or a great film, with Memoir remaining my favorite genre. I love sudoku, and once held a 268-day streak on Wordle.
For most of my 65 years, I have been a runner. Running was a place of refuge and long distance was my sweet spot. When my husband was alive, we ran together and he would ask, "Mel, don't you want to run faster?" My answer was always “Nope.” I guess I'm built for distance instead of speed. Due to injury, my running days are now behind me. You can still find me on the trails, only now I'll be walking or cycling.
My Miniature Schnauzer, Gracie, accompanies me on nearly every walk. My sweet kitty, Little Bit, prefers to be home on the heating pad. They are such sweet companions.
My most important role is that of Fairy Godmother to the most beautiful family that I have been adopted into. My refrigerator boasts their artwork and a wall in my kitchen bears witness to their growth through the years - they love seeing how they have grown! I love nurturing these young lives and investing so deeply into their wellbeing.
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50-minute Session - $125
80-min Session - $188