Hi!  I’m Kristin Thomas Sancken, a trauma-informed writer, editor and book coach based out of Charlottesville, Virginia, where I live with my husband, two kids, and zealous Golden Retriever.

I was born in Panama and raised in Mexico. Today, my kids don’t speak a lick of Spanish, despite my best efforts. Our roots are straddled across the east coast and the midwest of the United States.

EDUCATION

• Valparaiso University, BA in International Service and Humanities
• Virginia Commonwealth University, MSW in Social Work
• Western Theological Seminary, D. Min. in “The Sacred Art of Writing”

My career is woven from two core passions: service and storytelling. After graduating college, I spent several years working with Latino families, helping them navigate the American public school and mental health systems. I then transitioned into journalism, serving as a features and education writer for a rural weekly newspaper while earning my MSW. This unique blend of skills allowed me to lead communications for a children’s welfare non-profit for four years. My work then culminated in doctoral research focused on the impact of inter-generational trauma on emotional and spiritual development.

AWARDS

I have won a variety of awards for my writing, including:

• University of Virginia’s Fralin Museum Writer’s Eye Contest – First Prize (2021)
• Associated Church Press – Reporting and Writing (2016)
• Virginia Press Award – Features Series & Education Writing (2011)