Denise Roy, LMFT, M.Div., is an author, a psychotherapist, a popular speaker, and a mother. Denise has presented at schools, parenting groups, churches, and community organizations nationwide on parenting, spirituality, peacemaking and women's issues.
Her book, Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion, and Grace (Jossey-Bass, 2007), was named one of the best Spiritual Books of 2007 by Spirituality & Practice.
Here's what Publishers Weekly had to say about Momfulness: 'Roy combines her experience as a marriage and family therapist, a spiritual director, and a mother of five in this delightful book of meditations, a sequel to My Monastery Is a Minivan. Roy defines momfulness as "the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence," and outlines six spiritual lessons: developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things and understanding the value of community. Each meditation begins with a quote, from the likes of Anne Lamott and Annie Dillard to Thich Nhat Hanh and Teresa of Avila; each includes a reflective piece—an essay, observation, or story—and each ends with a suggested practice. Roy's anecdotes are fresh and her storytelling colorful and imaginative.'
Random House Audio published Meditations for Mothers as an audio book; it includes Denise reading excerpts from Momfulness that busy on-the-go moms can practice.
Denise is also the author of My Monastery Is a Minivan (Loyola Press, 2001), which received the following awards:
* one of 50 Best Spiritual Books of 2001 by Spirituality & Health Magazine
* Family Life Book of the Year (2002) by the Catholic Press Association
* Finalist, ForeWord MagazineSpirituality Book of 2001.
Denise has been quoted or featured in numerous publications, including: Real Simple, The Washington Post, Woman's Day, Redbook, First for Women, San Jose Mercury News, The Dallas Morning News, Spirituality & Health, The Indianapolis Star, New Age Journal, and The Tampa Tribune.
Her essays have also appeared in the following books: The Maternal Is Political, by Shari MacDonald Strong; Your Children Will Raise You, by Eden Steinberg; I Like Being a Mom, by Theresa Borchard;The Miracle of Sons, edited by Jamie C. Miller and Jennifer Bayse Sander; Let Go, Let Miracles Happen by Kathy Cordova; and Humor for a Mom's Heart by Shari McDonald.
A licensed marriage and family therapist, Denise received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. She was also one of the first women to receive a Master of Divinity degree at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley.
Denise has worked with women and women's issues for over twenty-four years. She directed the Women's Center at Santa Clara University, and was a U.S. delegate to the International Congress on Women, held in the former Soviet Union.
Denise and her husband live in the San Francisco Bay area; they have three grown sons, a twelve-year-old daughter, and a nineteen-year-old foster daughter from Iran.
You may contact Denise Roy by email at denise@deniseroy.com or voicemail at 650-833-8148.
