Darlene J. Harris

Darlene J. Harris is the founder of Self-Employed Ministry: Speaking From The Heart, a faith-centered ministry dedicated to empowering and healing women who have experienced trauma. Inspired by her own journey as a survivor of sexual assault, Darlene is driven by a desire to ensure that no one suffers in silence as she once did. She is the author of And He Restoreth My Soul, a resource for counselors, pastors, and professionals supporting survivors of abuse, and she designs workshops, retreats, and speaking engagements to guide women toward recovery, forgiveness, and personal growth.

With extensive experience as a crisis counselor, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Team member, and volunteer advocate, Darlene has worked with organizations including Project Sister Family Services and The Center for Community Solutions. She is a Certified Mediation-Dispute Resolution Counselor in California and has served on planning committees for conferences addressing violence, abuse, and trauma. Her professional work demonstrates a profound commitment to advocacy, education, and community support, partnering with law enforcement and service providers to assist survivors in navigating crisis and recovery.

Darlene’s ministry extends beyond counseling into leadership and mentoring, helping women rebuild their lives and find purpose through faith and guidance. Her speaking and consulting work, featured in publications such as The L.A. Times and the International Forgiveness Institute, emphasizes hope, healing, and empowerment. A dedicated coach, author, and advocate, Darlene continues to inspire countless individuals to transform pain into resilience, using her own experiences to light the path for others.

• RPC-1
• Certified Mediation-Dispute Resolution Counselor
• SART, DART, DV-101

• Domestic Abuse Response Team
• Sexual Assault Response Team

• Institute on Violence Abuse
• Trauma Conference
• Project Sister Family Services/Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Center