Hi! I’m Jo.

Healing Hearts with Jo was born out of immense grief and struggle with a few BIG WINS mixed in. If you would have told me 20 years ago that I’d be running support groups and retreats for moms and families affected by addiction, I would have laughed at you.

After walking through the pain and uncertainty of addiction with my loved one, I was determined to find a different way—something that truly helped. What we were doing wasn’t working. Then I discovered the Invitation to Change and CRAFT approach, and it changed everything. It’s a compassionate, evidence-based method for supporting a loved one through substance use—without losing yourself in the process.

Words Matter, Love Never Fails

The things we say matter, especially when the person we are trying to communicate with is Struggling with substances. If you have found yourself in a situation similar to the one I was in for years with my loved one, and you are trying to find the words to say that will not condone nor ridicule, you’re not alone.

(The words you say to yourself, and your loved one matters.)

Finding a supportive group of people who get it and who are using beneficial tools and language was life-changing for me. Knowledge is power if we have the courage to take action, to change our thought patterns and words. It becomes easier to move from guilt and anger into peace and confidence when we are surrounded by others who are cheering us on and sharing their experiences.

Are you pretending everything is fine, putting on a smile when you don’t know where to turn? If you feel like your world is crumbling underneath the weight of so much anger towards addiction, and all the unfortunate circumstances that led your loved one to using substances, I pray that you will believe me when I say:

There is hope, and you CAN get through this.

The opposite of addiction is connection.

You don’t have to do it alone. Please reach out.