THE AUTHOR

Claudia Liljegren encourages readers to reflect on their personal challenges as they explore the relationship between psychological and spiritual frameworks. She aims to offer hope to individuals experiencing distress. Drawing on both faith and professional dedication, she brings a distinctive perspective to her work. In her practice, she acknowledges the interplay between humanistic and spiritual approaches while helping others. Raised in the suburbs of the Twin Cities, Claudia’s faith was an important, though private, aspect of her upbringing.

She pursued a degree in social work at Moorhead State University, where she met her future husband, Fred. After earning her master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Claudia and Fred married and settled in west central Minnesota on Fred’s century-old family farm.
Claudia worked for several years as a program director at a residential facility for chronic mental illness and as a child protection case manager. As well, she spent over 40 years as a psychotherapist in mental health centers, the last being at Lakeland Mental Health Center.

She has also served, and continues to serve, as a consultant on the Region IV Crisis Response Team across five counties. She remained dedicated to therapeutic practice throughout her professional journey.

Claudia has also been a lifelong Christian who has often grappled with reconciling her faith and her work as a therapist. Authoring this book allowed her the process to do just that. Now retired, Claudia and Fred have raised two children, Annie and Andy, and have two wonderful grandchildren. Recently, they also concluded their work on the dairy farm.

Claudia’s Christian perspective and professional commitment have shaped her life. Faith and a professional commitment to her profession have deepened her understanding of the interaction between mind and spirit. This worldview continues to inspire her engagement with others who share this interest.