Meet Sheryl
Founder of Soul-Smudge, Sharing My Journey with You
A Glimpse into My Journey
As the founder of Soul-Smudge, I’m passionate about guiding others on their spiritual paths. My journey has been filled with spiritual experiences that shaped my path and led me to create this space for healing, spiritual development, and growth. Through Soul-Smudge, I aim to provide a safe space where others can connect with their higher selves, unlock their potential, and embrace their own spiritual awakening.
Spiritual Beginnings
From a young age, I had vivid spiritual experiences that formed the foundation of the work I do today. I could sense spirits, received dreams filled with symbolism, and feel the emotions of those around me. This deep sensitivity made me aware of energies beyond the physical, though at the time, I didn’t have the framework to understand what I was experiencing. I remember having conversations with relatives who had passed before I was born and feeling an intense connection to the unseen world.
As an empath, I often felt the emotions of others, though I believed they were my own, which caused a lot of confusion. In my early 20s, I lived in a house where spirit activity was undeniable. Without the tools or framework to understand what was happening, this experience brought more fear than clarity. Though it frightened me at the time, it later became a key piece of my journey toward understanding and working with the spirit world.
A Dark Night of the Soul
In 2005, my spiritual world dimmed during a difficult divorce. My upbringing in mainstream Christianity left me feeling judged and abandoned by those I once trusted. I was told I was being rebellious for leaving my marriage, and fear of divine punishment loomed over me. Walking away from organized religion, I entered a long period of spiritual disconnection, anxiety, and depression—a true “dark night of the soul.”
Moving Beyond Religion
For many years, organized religion gave me structure to understand my spiritual experiences, but as I’ve grown, I’ve come to see that the divine is accessible within each of us. My journey has been about finding my direct connection with Spirit, beyond the boundaries of religion, and helping others to do the same. I believe we are in a time of spiritual evolution, where more people are discovering the power of their own inner connection.
A Reawakening: The Estes Park Experience
In 2015, during a trip to Estes Park, Colorado, I had a profound paranormal experience. I captured a photo that sparked questions about the spirit world. While the image didn’t serve as proof of the paranormal, it was a pivotal moment that reawakened my interest in the unseen. This experience marked the beginning of my spiritual reawakening, leading me to explore Reiki, psychic development, shamanic techniques, channeling, working with spirit guides, the Akashic Records, and past lives. It was through this awakening that I began releasing the layers of trauma and religious fear that had once held me back.
The image that sparked my reawakening.
Taken at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, 2015.
My Career in Healthcare
In my mid-30s, I returned to college and earned a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ultrasound). From there, I worked extensively in hospital, outpatient, and ER settings, gaining a deep appreciation for both the science and the art of caring for people. For seven years, I served as a college professor, teaching sonographic anatomy, pathophysiology, scanning techniques, and professional skills to aspiring sonographers. I later returned to outpatient imaging before stepping into my current role at a College of Osteopathic Medicine, where I now teach ultrasound to future physicians.
This medical background gives me a unique perspective on the body and healing, and a deep respect for how the physical and energetic systems work together. While neither sonographers nor Reiki practitioners diagnose or give medical advice, my knowledge of anatomy allows me to connect with the physical body in ways that beautifully complement energy work.
I would love to see Reiki become more widely embraced in medical settings, especially hospitals, where stress reduction and relaxation are greatly needed. It’s already being offered in some hospitals, and I believe it has the potential to be a powerful complementary healing technique for patients, staff, and healthcare workers alike.
My Approach
For me, teaching and energy work are woven from the same thread—both are about guiding others toward discovery, confidence, and transformation. The years I spent as a college professor have given me a strong foundation for creating structured, supportive learning experiences here at Soul-Smudge, while my spiritual path infuses each one with depth and sacred presence.
My approach to Reiki is both deeply spiritual and intentionally crafted, blending Reiki with a tapestry of complementary energy techniques.
Every session is a sacred container, guided by Spirit and infused with the intention of the client’s highest good. No two are alike—each one unfolds like a unique chapter in the client’s healing story, meeting them exactly where they are and carrying them to where they’re ready to go.
I often invite the presence of Ascended Masters, angels, and spirit guides, and weave in the energies of crystals, essential oils, and sound to create a space that feels both grounded and otherworldly. Channeling may emerge when the moment calls for it, always flowing in perfect alignment with Spirit’s guidance, ensuring the work is exactly what’s needed in that moment.
My Training
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Usui Holy Fire® III Reiki Master–Teacher
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Holy Fire® Karuna Reiki® Master
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ICRT Animal Reiki Master–Teacher
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Professional Member of the ICRT Reiki Membership Association
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Shamanic Energy Medicine Practitioner (Four Winds Society Light Body School)
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Soul Realignment® Practitioner, Levels I, II, & III
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QHHT® Level 2 Practitioner
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Graduate of the Sage Goddess Crystal Masters Healing Program
What You Can Expect
When you step into a session or class with me, you’re entering a space that is both grounded and sacred—rooted in compassion, guided by intuition, and shaped by the wisdom of years in both healthcare and energy work.
From the moment we begin, your experience becomes a sacred container designed just for you. We may work with Reiki energy, the presence of Ascended Masters, angels, or guides, and the supportive frequencies of crystals, sound, and aromatherapy—each element chosen with care to meet your needs in that moment.
Together, we’ll invite balance to your physical, emotional, and energetic systems—releasing what no longer serves, restoring harmony, and deepening your connection to your own inner guidance. Whether you’re seeking physical relief, emotional healing, or spiritual insight, you’ll leave with a greater sense of peace, clarity, and alignment.
And as you step back into your day, you’ll carry with you a quiet knowing — that you are more aligned, more whole, and more deeply connected to your truest self.
