Elise Gower (she/her) is a queer, cisgender, white woman who lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is in her final months of graduate school at Louisiana State University where she is pursuing a master’s in clinical social work. Her career in ministry, community engagement, and leadership development fostered a commitment to cultivating intentional community around the tradition and values of Ignatian spirituality. Elise previously worked at various Jesuit institutions including The University of Scranton, Loyola University Maryland, and The Office of Ignatian Spirituality. She continues to lead retreats, offer workshops, and contribute writings connected to her professional interests. Elise has extensive experience working with individuals and groups, centering storytelling and its value in collective antiracism work and LGBTQ+ accompaniment and advocacy. She is passionate about the intersections of mental health, queer identity, and spirituality. This led to her recent career evolution and return to school; she soon plans to start a private practice to support people from various backgrounds and life stages as they process the experiences of intersectional identities, anxiety, depression, relationships, stress management, transitions, grief, trauma, and life’s unexpected moments. It is in this context Elise feels most authentically aligned in her discernment.