TERESA RITZINGER
Peer Mentor (She/Her/Hers)
SPECIAL INTERESTS: INDIVIDUAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT | OUTDOOR RECREATION | PARENTING/STEP-PARENTING | SPIRITUAL WELLBEING | EMPLOYMENT-RELATED SUPPORT | ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SUPPORT |ABUSE RECOVERY| SELF CARE |LIFESTYLE TECHNIQUES FOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH |YOUTH AND ADULT FEMALE WELLNESS | RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY | DIVORCE RECOVERY | BOUNDARY SETTING | LGBTQ+
Teresa was born and raised in southeastern WI. Growing up, she was part of a large conservative farm family, pitching in with all the chores involved with growing crops, animal health, and being part of a small business. This lifestyle instilled a deep need to be outdoors, caring for plants and animals. Early on though, Teresa felt “different” than her siblings due to her nature of pushing boundaries, and testing established family, societal and religious practices, and limits.
Early adulthood was spent exploring all the paths that had been taboo, resulting in alcohol misuse, unhealthy relationships, and other risky behaviors. Divorce followed years in an abusive marriage, as did feelings of embarrassment, low self esteem, grief associated with losing a cherished step child relationship, and experiencing PTSD. As a physical and sexual domestic abuse survivor, and having happily rekindled the relationship with her step child, she is able to walk along side others experiencing similar traumas.
Eventually, Teresa met her life partner and raised a family of her own while working full time in the grind of 24/7/365 manufacturing environments. This part of her journey was very positive, but also required navigating the post-partum baby blues, anxiety, depression, work life balance (an oxymoron, right?), being sandwiched between child care and elder care, etc.
Her career supporting employees in a Human Resource role, gave her a front row seat, and the ability to influence decisions around employee health and wellness. As the conscience of the organization, she preferred to spend her time identifying affordable access to quality physical and mental health benefits, providing living wage jobs for community members in need of a second chance, ensuring all employees regardless of age, gender identity, and other protected classes were treated with respect. She advocated for opportunities for skill development and advancement and shining a light on ways for employees to access community resources for help with normal, real life barriers to sustaining employment and living a health life. Teresa’s present. She’s using self care to heal from burnout and expectations that workers just “need to increase their stress tolerance”.
On this journey, Teresa has embraced coping mechanism finding time in nature is especially healing. She still has a heart for caring for animals, having 2 cats and 1 dog, frequently dog sitting, and providing home stays for puppies being trained in local prisons to be Assistance dogs. She enjoys reading gripping fiction novels or experimenting in the kitchen in the winter. The rest of the year you’ll find her in the natural world, traveling, exploring different cultures, exercising, enjoying all things food, filling her soul at live music events, and just plain being with loved ones. Teresa’s beliefs have shifted from following religious practices, to honoring a variety of spiritual beliefs. She acknowledges and respects each person’s ability to have and practice their own beliefs.
The heart of Teresa’s approach to life has developed to be… 1)Live Love…so much so that it’s tattooed on her wrist, 2)Unconditional acceptance…also a tattoo she sports and 3)Relationship… inscribed on a barn board from her family farm and the centerpiece of her kitchen. .
Teresa is a certified Human Capital Coach, Mental Health First Aid trained, and eCPR (Emotional CPR) certified. Her ability to listen deeply, and establish connection are keys to supporting others. Being keenly aware of the growing need for peer support in our Teresa is now providing services at At The Roots, LLC.