Echoes Within

Support for All — No Cost Barriers, Just Healing

Author: Daniel Belum

  • Neurodiversity-Affirming Coach Liliana Rowan Joins Echoes Within, offering Transformative Services Supporting Authentic Self-Discovery and Holistic Healing

    Neurodiversity-Affirming Coach Liliana Rowan Joins Echoes Within, offering Transformative Services Supporting Authentic Self-Discovery and Holistic Healing

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Neurodiversity-Affirming Coach Liliana Rowan Joins Echoes Within, offering Transformative Services Supporting Authentic Self-Discovery and Holistic Healing

    Phoenix, AZ – October 14, 2025 – Echoes Within is pleased to announce the addition of comprehensive coaching and intuitive guidance service provider Liliana Rowan, a neurodivergent, queer coach specializing in trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming care. With a unique blend of evidence-based practices and intuitive spiritual tools, Liliana creates safe, collaborative spaces for individuals seeking personal transformation, self-acceptance, and empowered living. This announcement marks a significant step in providing resources for those on their journey towards authentic self-discovery and holistic healing. This announcement is an important milestone for our community.

    Personalized Services for Multifaceted Growth

    Liliana offers three core service areas designed to meet clients where they are in their healing journey:

    1 on 1 Coaching provides personalized support for neurodivergent thriving, identity exploration, relationship structures, spiritual development, and cultivating radical self-acceptance. Sessions are tailored to each client’s unique needs, values, and pace, addressing everything from ADHD and autistic experiences to kink exploration and authentic self-reconnection.

    Mindfulness practices are specifically adapted for neurodivergent minds and nervous systems, offering accessible tools including breathwork, body awareness, grounding exercises, and compassionate observation. These trauma-informed techniques help clients regulate emotions, reduce overwhelm, manage sensory experiences, and build sustainable personal practices.

    Tarot Reading serves as a collaborative, empowering tool for intuitive guidance and reflective insight. Liliana uses tarot as a mirror for inner wisdom, helping clients navigate life transitions, relationships, identity questions, and spiritual paths without prescriptive or fear-based interpretations.

    A Journey of Personal Discovery Informs Professional Practice

    Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in childhood and later discovering her autistic and queer identities, Liliana brings profound lived experience to her work. As a parent of two neurodivergent children, she intimately understands the challenges of balancing care for others with self-compassion and personal growth.

    “I hold space for transformation — where intuition meets action, and healing becomes a path to wholeness,” says Liliana. “Because I’ve lived it. I’ve navigated the grief and relief of late-diagnosis self-discovery, and I’m here to help create spaces that welcome all of who you are.”

    Values-Centered, Liberation-Focused Approach

    At the core of Liliana’s practice is a commitment to deconstructing limiting narratives shaped by patriarchy, heteronormativity, mononormativity, and ableism. Her work integrates reflective self-awareness, goal setting, mindfulness, radical self-acceptance practices, tarot readings, moon cycle rituals, manifestation spells, and sigil magic.

    Liliana also provides affirming space for those exploring kink, sex positivity, and ethical non-monogamy, offering nonjudgmental support for self-inquiry and growth.

    “Healing and growth happen not through ‘fixing’ ourselves, but through learning to accept, understand, and nurture who we truly are — beyond systems that were never built for our thriving,” Liliana explains.

    Getting Started

    Echoes Within invites prospective clients to schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore their needs and discuss how Liliana’s services can support their journey. The session provides an opportunity to address questions, understand available support, and outline next steps.

    “If you’re looking for a coach or guide who can hold complexity with compassion — who gets the messiness of real life, and believes in your power to grow through it — you’re in the right place,” says Liliana.

    About Echoes Within

    Echoes Within provides a variety of mental, emotional, and physical wellness services that honor each client’s unique journey without concerns about financial barriers. Echoes Within creates safe containers for exploration, healing, and transformation.

    Contact:
    Echoes Within
    info@echoeswithin.org
    Website: www.echoeswithin.org

    —

    Media Contact:
    For interview requests or additional information, please visit www.echoeswithin.org or schedule a consultation through the website.

  • Time To Be Consistent

    Time To Be Consistent

    Here is my standard daily templates which is what I supposedly use for time management.

    • ☐ 5:00–6:00 → Exercise
    • ☐ 6:00–7:00 → Relax with coffee, free flow
    • ☐ 7:00–7:30 → Prepare the day
    • ☐ 7:30–7:40 → Review Flashcards
    • ☐ 7:40–8:00 → Write
    • ☐ 8:00–9:00 → CRM
    • ☐ 9:00–10:00 → Task Hour
      ~ scan Task List and see what I can accomplish today.
    • ☐ 10:00–10:30 → Email
    • ☐ 10:30–11:00 → Short created & Posted
    • ☐ 11:00–12:00 → Lunch, Nap & Shower
    • ☐ 12:00 – 4:00 PM → Project Time
      ~ scan In Progress List and see what is today. From Kanban view, move anything scheduled for today from

    Now, I’m not saying I stick to this everyday – as a matter of fact, today I slept only about 6 hours so went back to bed after exercise and now I am at “7:40 – write” and it is really…11:10am already.

    But, it does help to be consistent.

    Successful people maintain specific routines because habitualness creates mood.

    By keeping to a consistent pattern, we remove two things – first, stress that comes from not being sure we are doing the ‘right thing’. And secondly, reducing decision fatigue by automating small task. What do I do at 5am? Get up. What do I do before coffee? Exercise. Will I have time to clear my email today? Yes, at 10am.

    Routine allows conscious decisions to guide your day instead of fears. It deactivates “fight or flight” responses by removing constant uncertainty.

    But don’t take my word for it. Create your own time block, stick to it for a week, and remember – use check boxes! Get that nice little ‘ahhh’ when you check something off.

    (h) certified human generated content

  • You Don’t Need Someone to Talk To, You Need Someone to Listen

    You Don’t Need Someone to Talk To, You Need Someone to Listen

    Have you ever started to share with someone and they quickly jump in with how you should solve your issue…when you haven’t actually explained what the issue is yet?

    I’ve learned to say “Do you want me to give you feedback, or just listen?”

    So at times we are asked for feedback and our perspective or ideas on solutions. Other times, we just want someone to listen and lets us process.

    Why It’s Important to Truly Listen

    A third scenario – and one of my favorites – is when we know we have the solution within us but need help shining a light on it. There are a few therapy modalities, such as David Grove’s Clean Language, that does just that. You don’t give the person feedback per se, but instead you give them room to hear what they are saying…and what they already know.

    It’s essential to create a safe space where we can truly listen to one another.

    Need to talk to someone? Or just be heard? We are here for you.

    Contact

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  • This sucks! THIS SUCKS!!! or … maybe it doesn’t

    This sucks! THIS SUCKS!!! or … maybe it doesn’t

    I don’t like vegetables. I don’t mean I demonstrate against them or protest broccoli, I just don’t eat them.
    Then one day I decided to become a Buddhist monk and that specific path required being a vegetarian.

    Sometimes we are stuck in situations we don’t like. Someone sleeping nearby snores; unruly children running amok; that awesome coffee shop you found is playing religious music. We think “This sucks” and sit in our annoyance.

    What if we didn’t have to?

    What if instead we thought that this is a way to reframe a situation?
    Instead of being stuck thinking that something ‘sucks’, step back and see what we can learn. What we can experience. What is other peoples reality? Can be practice compassion for the parents of those kids; we grateful that people who follow that religion have a place to gather; etc.

    For me, I found out:

    • not only what lentils were, but that they are a pretty great soup
    • just because I didn’t like onions 20 years ago didn’t mean I didn’t like them now
    • zucchini raw? yuck. In a bread? Awesome!
    • the power of And. Cucumber AND humus. Celery AND peanut butter.

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
    (h) certified human created content

    Need Assistance with your mental wellness?

    Find out how Echoes Within can assist you.
    Click here -> https://www.echoeswithin.org/services/

    Want to keep up with all the going ones with Echoes Within?

    Newsletter link – > https://www.echoeswithin.org/newsletter/

    Help us help our community

    Donate here – > https://www.echoeswithin.org/donate/

  • I feel like I’m not good enough

    I feel like I’m not good enough

    I’ve had people say this to me…

    “I feel like I’m not good enough”

    Now, I could respond with the short answer of:
    “You are good enough”.

    But rarely does anyone say “Oh, thanks, I’ll just move along then”! So let dig in a bit.

    “I feel like I’m not good enough”
    Answer: “You’re thinking about this all wrong”.

    See, I’ve worked with lots of people struggling with self-confidence. And you know what separates the ones who stay stuck… from the ones who break through?

    They don’t try to control every single thought or outcome in their lives.

    Instead, they learn how to roll with whatever challenges show up. They get comfortable being uncomfortable with uncertainty.

    Granted, building confidence is not easy. Life throws curveballs. Big setbacks happen. Situations you’ve never faced before show up.

    And maybe you’ve frozen in a moment and that your inner voice screamed “I’m not ready for this!”.

    That just means your human.

    It might help to realize that you are not as far away from deep self confidence as you think. Truly confident people…

    • Don’t have all the answers. They just take the next step.
    • They have learned to stop overthinking every decision.
    • No more researching “what if” scenarios for hours.
    • No more wondering if you’re capable enough.

    You are capable enough. You just need to learn some tools.

    -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

    Need Assistance with your mental wellness?

    Find out how Echoes Within can assist you.
    Click here -> https://www.echoeswithin.org/services/

    Want to keep up with all the going ones with Echoes Within?

    Newsletter link – > https://www.echoeswithin.org/newsletter/

    Help us help our community

    Donate here – > https://www.echoeswithin.org/donate/

  • Hug or Kick?

    In 1989 I was arrested for the second time for ‘possession of a controlled dangerous substance’. My previous arrest was a month before that.

    As I faced the reality that I was an addict and started the process to be a recovering addict, I had a number of mentors (sponsors) along the way helping me to learn to live a life free of drugs.

    Throughout the years I had two primary types of people that helped me. One was the ‘hug’ style. These were the people who, whatever was going on, responded to it with compassion and kindness and reassurance that everything would be ok. This was very valuable when I felt like things were falling apart and that, in my mid 20’s, life was totally screwed up beyond repair.

    The other type was the ‘kick’ style – as in, a kick in the ass. These folks were more ‘Ya, like is hard, get up and fix it’. They were all about me taking responsibility for what I could and staying focused that if I want change, I needed to change.

    Both are valid. If you are aware of 12 Step programs, then you will likely know one of the creeds is ‘Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference’. It is a pretty wise creed as these things go.

    As I have developed my own mentoring and therapeutic approach to others, I’ve tried my best to be balanced between these two styles. Because I do believe that sometimes we all need a hug, a cuddle from a dog, a warm word and assurance that it will be ok. And sometimes we need that person who reminds us to get up and get cracking, that if we don’t do anything then nothing will change, that we are the stewards of our own path.

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  • Echoes Within Secures 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status

    Echoes Within Secures 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status

    Press Release

    For Immediate Release

    Echoes Within Secures 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status to Expand Inclusive Healing and Growth Programs

    Yuma, AZ – August 22, 2025 – Echoes Within, a nonprofit dedicated to providing affirming, accessible support for emotional healing and personal growth, has been recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

    This milestone enables Echoes Within to expand programs that remove financial and systemic barriers for marginalized, alternative, and underserved communities, and to receive tax-deductible donations and grants.

    “This recognition validates our mission to ensure anyone—regardless of background, identity, or means—can access the support they need to thrive,” said Daniel Belum, Director of Echoes Within. “We meet people where they are, and help them build the resilience, confidence, and inner peace they deserve.”

    How Echoes Within Supports Communities

    • People excluded by traditional mental health/spiritual services
    • Immediate relief + long-term tools for stress and anxiety
    • Safe, affirming support for sexual challenges
    • Self-confidence building and lasting behavior change
    • Non-standard identities/relationships (including LGBTQ) seeking nonjudgmental care

    Programs & Offerings

    • Peer Mentoring – community-driven, affirming support
    • Workshops & Presentations – for groups/events of any size
    • Personal Growth Programs – stress & anxiety relief, sexuality wellness, self-confidence, identity exploration
    • Accessible Care – no financial barriers

    About Echoes Within

    Echoes Within creates safe, inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and growth through peer mentoring, workshops, and individualized support. Learn more at www.echoeswithin.org.

    Media Contact:
    Daniel Belum, Director
    Echoes Within
    Yuma, AZ 85365, USA
    Phone: ‪(269) 849-9067‬
    Email: info@echoeswithin.org

  • 5 Things I Learned About Myself at the 5 Day IO intensive

    I recently completed the Summer 5 Day Intensive (August 11th – 15th, 2025) at the IO Theater in Chicago, IL. I was teamed up with 11 other improv people from around the world (yep, international students as well) and wow, what an experience! Our instructor was Clayton (and my fault, I didn’t record his last name) and he was terrific! I’ve had good and bad improv instructors and this guy was just so damn skillful!

    I learned tons and tons of things about the art of improv and how to hone my personal craft. But this post is about 5 things I learned about myself.

    1 – I’m pretty good

    I’m not great, I’m not going to headline at Annoyance or Second City…but I do have a sense of humor and don’t hurt any show I’m in. The reason this is on the list is I spent a week around 11 other people doing the same stuff I was doing (some who were much more skillful than me) as well as watching shows at night (where I was constantly wow’d by how good everyone is). Friday I woke up with a strong case of imposter syndrome, but I got over myself and…well, I was pretty good!

    2 – I have room to improve

    So much room to improve! But I don’t mean that in a negative way, but instead just seeing what people do and thinking ‘wow, that is a great move!’. And although I do enjoy reading about improv, live practice is the way.

    3 – 5 Days is a long time

    As an introvert (someone who is recharged by time alone), being on stage, learning, hanging out, for 5 days straight was straining. I would do it again, but I would be careful to manage my energy as well!

    4 – Zoom is a fine vehicle but…

    I have taken a lot of Zoom classes as well as done improv on Zoom online sessions, and those a skill. But it is a different animal than in person by far. I know that improv went ‘online’ with Covid and that has a place but for me, interacting with an entire person in person is a favored skillset.

    5 – I get to/need to be me!

    In our group, we had a few people who had solid powerful surgical lines; others who were Big Energy; others who had other mixes and skills. And we were all doing it ‘right’. I am one of the big energy people and I don’t need to change that. Play into my strength instead of trying to be someone else.

  • Party Guest

    Party Guest is an improv game where one or more players act as guests at a party, each embodying distinct characters or characteristics. The host then tries to guess those characteristics or quirks. The scene typically involves:

    • A host who facilitates or interacts with the guests.
    • Each guest bringing a unique persona, quirks, or agenda, as suggested (in secret from the host) by the audience.
    • Interactions between the guest might reveal conflicts, secrets, or humorous situations.

    As stated above, the goal, when played as a game, is that the host is trying to guess each character or trait.

    BUT here is a key part. Sometimes the “host” just doesn’t know. Either they don’t pick up on the clues or a specific character game eludes them. That is where the other players have to help out.

    This clip, from the Shoot from the Hip, is a great example of how sometimes the host can forget a common character (Bugs Bunny) and the other ‘guest’ can assist him.

  • New Board Member

    We are happy to announce that Donovan (he/him) has been promoted from Treasurer Advisor to Board Treasurer!

    Donavon is an experienced financial leader with over six years of progressive responsibility in public sector auditing and financial program management. He holds an MBA from Franklin University, where he specialized in financial management, strategic operations, and organizational leadership. Donavon has a strong background in overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, streamlining financial systems, and ensuring compliance with GAAP and state regulatory standards.

    Donavon brings his expertise in fiscal oversight, cash flow analysis, and internal controls to help strengthen the organization’s financial health and sustainability. His previous roles include Auditor at the Department of Youth Services and Financial Program Manager overseeing software implementation and reconciliation processes. Currently works as an Accounting and Finance Manager for a non-profit. He is passionate about mission-driven work and is committed to transparency, accountability, and impact in nonprofit finance.

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