About Us

Darlene Ouimet CTACC

About Darlene

After struggling my entire life with dissociative identity disorder, multiple personality, chronic depression, and the effects of child sexual abuse, I finally found the help that I needed and I began to emerge from broken. My life today is dramatically different than what it used to be. Living, really living, isn’t just getting from one day to the next coping with those issues. Living is fully embracing life and participating in it. It is about knowing who I really am and not being defined by my past or by any other person.

My journey has been both difficult and exciting, instilling in me an extreme passion for helping others live in freedom, without the shackles of fear and shame. Wherever we find ourselves in the recovery process, we have the hope of wholeness and a purpose filled life. Mine is a story of hope. Having come from the depths of despair to being thrilled at the prospect of a new day, this blog is about the process of healing, learning to face fear and walking forward in truth and joy. It is about thriving and flourishing in day to day life.

I am a certified professional life coach, mental health advocate and inspirational speaker. I’m happily married to the man I used to be unhappily married to and together we share life with our three children, cows, pets and horses on the wide open spaces of Southern Alberta Canada.

From December 2010 to July 2010

Carla Dippel shared her journey and co-authored this blog

About Carla

Since I was very young, I have searched for what would truly make me happy. I tried being a good girl, pleasing my parents, pleasing my friends and relatives, going to Sunday School, giving of my time and talents at church, Christian school, being “accomplished”, being popular, being smart, getting a degree, having boyfriends, getting my own home, being thinner, being prettier, having hobbies, having more friends, having less friends, being a leader, consulting everybody else, pleasing EVERYBODY. I labored furiously, always putting the cart before the horse. The answer to my ultimate question “How can I be happy?” has been whispered in my ear many times along my travels. Within the last few years, I have been able to hear the answer more and more clearly: real happiness lies in accepting, knowing,  that I am valuable just as I am, with no strings attached and no extra dressings, and that there is a definite purpose and meaning for my own unique life. Walking in this truth has changed everything, giving me the courage to replace despair and depression with hope and joy.

I live in beautiful Alberta Canada. I love to cook, dance, write and grow in knowing what is good and true about this life.  As I emerge from broken, I delight in being a distinct and adventurous woman, living my life to the full, exploring new possibilities and making my dreams a reality. I am excited for this opportunity to share reflections from my journey with you and to hear your own stories in return.

In the words of Jane Siberry, “We will walk in good company.”