Deana Strom brings a background in art and theological studies to her role as a Hospice Spiritual Counselor. She applies formal education and diverse life-experience as she accompanies patients and their circles of support on their end-of-life journey.
“I am grateful to come alongside patients and families as they process their mortality and all the emotions, spiritual questions, and relational dynamics that accompany such a tender time,” says Deana.
“I use listening skills, offer opportunities for spiritual/emotional exploration of life’s meaning, and hopes for one’s end of life journey…I also offer spiritual practices and rituals as desired. I especially love using art engagement with patients and families to help create memories and facilitate deeper conversation.”
After earning an undergraduate degree in Art Education, Deana earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. She served as a campus chaplain at the University of Washington before undertaking the training to become a Spiritual Counselor. During this time, she worked as a preschool teacher, which she said, “Actually provided much insight into the way we humans deal with emotions and relate to each other!”
Deana loves working with Hospice of the Northwest because of the holistic approach to the overall care that we provide patients, including spiritual care, as patients work through their journey. She enjoys being part of our dedicated care teams, working with registered nurses, social workers, doctors, volunteers, and other spiritual counselors to make sure each patient is treated with compassion and dignity.
Deana enjoys dancing, swimming, and reading, as well as being outside gardening and hiking with her husband and one-year-old Aussie Shepard, Poppy. She is learning to embrace the fluid dynamic of becoming a consultant to her three young adult kiddos and elderly parents. The cedar trees outside her bedroom window remind her to breathe.
Something fun about Deana is that she is an identical twin! Growing up, before computer-generated avatars could show you how a haircut could complement your face, she and her sister would trade who got their haircut first so they could see how it would look.
When people ask Deana what it’s like to be a Hospice Spiritual Counselor, she says, “Though the work can sometimes feel heavy, what keeps me working with Hospice of the Northwest is the opportunity to use my gifts and skills to be of benefit to the world. I work with such amazing people.”