Chaplaincy · Spiritual Care · Counseling

Transforming your life
one conversation
at a time

Leaf to Life offers compassionate, holistic support through interconnected pathways of growth — counseling, coaching, and advocacy rooted in spiritual wisdom.

Pink geraniums in a terra cotta pot
"Growth is not always visible — but it is always happening." — Leaf to Life

Ph.D.

Practical Theology

BCC

Board Certified Chaplain

20+

Years in Ministry

Three Pathways of Growth

Care that meets you
where you are

Leaf to Life offers compassionate, holistic support through three interconnected pathways — counseling, coaching, and advocacy — each rooted in spiritual wisdom and a deep belief in your capacity to grow.

Spiritual Counseling

A safe, nurturing space to explore life's challenges, process grief and trauma, and cultivate emotional resilience through evidence-based approaches rooted in spiritual wisdom.

Coaching & Mentoring

Identifying your authentic path forward, developing practical skills for flourishing, and navigating major life transitions with clarity and confidence — much like tending a garden through changing seasons.

Advocacy

Supporting clients in accessing resources, navigating systems, and finding their voice in challenging circumstances — ensuring that barriers to growth are addressed with the same care we give to removing obstacles that prevent a plant from thriving.

Speaking & Teaching

Professional keynotes, workshops, and university teaching on grief, diversity, belonging, and spiritual resilience — for faith communities, healthcare organizations, and universities.

Dr. Dilys A. Brooks

About Dilys

A guide, not a fixer

Ph.D., Practical Theology Board Certified Chaplain M.Div.

Dr. Dilys A. Brooks is a Board Certified Chaplain, ordained minister, and Loma Linda University Campus Chaplain with over 20 years of ministry experience. Leaf to Life grew from a deep belief that every person carries within them the capacity for growth — even in the hardest seasons.


Ready to Begin?

You don't have to carry this alone

Sessions available in-person (Colton, CA) and virtually. Start with a free 15-minute introduction call.

What We Offer

Services

Three interconnected pathways of growth — chaplaincy-based care offered in the spirit of accompaniment, not treatment.

Pathway One · Counseling

Spiritual Care & Grief Support

A safe, nurturing space to explore life's challenges, process grief and trauma, and cultivate emotional resilience through approaches rooted in spiritual wisdom. For those navigating loss, illness, faith questions, or seasons of deep uncertainty.

Sessions are 50 minutes and may be held in person (Colton, CA) or virtually. This is not licensed clinical therapy — it is chaplaincy-based accompaniment.

Garden stone steps with agave and terra cotta pots

Pathway Two · Coaching

Life Coaching & Mentoring

Coaching and mentoring that empowers individuals to identify their authentic path forward, develop practical skills for flourishing, and navigate major life transitions with clarity and confidence — much like tending a garden through changing seasons.

Ideal for those in career transitions, faith discernment, relationship decisions, or any season of becoming.

Aeonium rosettes in a galvanized bucket

Pathway Three · Advocacy

Client Advocacy

Advocacy work that extends beyond individual sessions — supporting clients in accessing resources, navigating systems, and finding their voice in challenging circumstances, ensuring barriers to growth are addressed with the same care we give to removing obstacles that prevent a plant from thriving.

A sculpted hand supporting a tree branch

Photo by Neil Thomas / Unsplash

Organizations & Communities

Groups, Workshops & Speaking

Facilitated group gatherings, grief circles, and workshops for churches, healthcare teams, universities, and nonprofits. Dr. Brooks has spoken internationally — from Australia to Romania to the UK — on grief, diversity, spiritual resilience, and belonging.

Group of people placing hands together

Photo by Hannah Busing / Unsplash

A note on scope of practice: Leaf to Life provides chaplaincy-based spiritual care, not licensed clinical mental health services. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need clinical therapy, please reach out to a licensed professional. I am happy to help connect you with appropriate resources.

Dr. Dilys A. Brooks

About

Dr. Dilys A. Brooks

Ph.D. Practical Theology Board Certified Chaplain Ordained Minister

Leaf to Life grew out of a simple but deeply held belief: every person carries within them the capacity for growth — even in the hardest seasons. Sometimes all that's needed is a steady presence, a safe space, and someone to walk alongside.

Dr. Brooks is a Board Certified Chaplain and ordained minister with a Ph.D. in Practical Theology (Claremont School of Theology, 2023), with an emphasis in Spiritual Care and Counseling. Her doctoral research examined how silence around childhood sexual abuse shaped victim-survivors' understanding of faith, self, and community.

She currently serves as Campus Chaplain at Loma Linda University, where she has ministered since 2005, and leads the university's Micah 6:8 Series — a monthly seminar addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has spoken and taught on four continents.

The garden has always been her teacher. A seed doesn't need to be told how to grow. It needs soil, water, and light. That's what Leaf to Life offers: the conditions for your own healing to unfold.

What Guides This Work

Core Values

Presence

Showing up fully, without distraction or agenda. You will be heard, not managed.

Dignity

Every person is worthy of care — regardless of faith background, life stage, or story.

Rootedness

Grounded in chaplaincy practice and a gardening-as-growth philosophy.

Reconciliation

Committed to belonging, equity, and the healing work of crossing divides.

Education

Academic Formation

  • Ph.D., Practical TheologyClaremont School of Theology, Claremont, CA · May 2023Emphasis: Spiritual Care and Counseling
  • Master of DivinityAndrews University, Berrien Springs, MI · 2005
  • Master of Arts, Supervision and AdministrationBank Street College, New York, NY · 2000
  • Master of Science, Reading: Diagnosis and RemediationAdelphi University, Garden City, NY · 1995
  • Bachelor of Science, Business ManagementCollege of Staten Island, NY · 1991

Certifications

Credentials & Accreditations

Board Certified Chaplain (BCC)Association of Professional Chaplains · March 2022
Clinical Pastoral Education (6 Units)Loma Linda University Medical Center · 2008–2020
Endorsed Campus/Education ChaplainAdventist Chaplaincy Ministries · August 2011
Endorsed Healthcare ChaplainAdventist Chaplaincy Ministries · March 2019
Ordained-Commissioned MinisterSeventh-day Adventist Church · August 2011

Recognition

Honors & Awards

20 Years of Service AwardAdventist Chaplaincy Ministries
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion AwardBlack Alumni Association of Loma Linda · 2021
Spiritual Leadership AwardLoma Linda University · April 2021
Bishop Charles Golden Scholarship/AwardClaremont School of Theology · 2020
Elaine Walker ScholarshipClaremont School of Theology · 2021

Professional Speaking

Speaking, Teaching & Consulting

Dr. Brooks has spoken on four continents — to faith communities, healthcare systems, universities, and international chaplaincy councils — on grief, belonging, diversity, and spiritual resilience.

Signature Topics

Areas of Expertise

Grief, Loss & Spiritual Resilience

Compassionate frameworks for understanding grief in faith communities and healthcare settings — what it is, what it isn't, and how communities can hold space for those who are mourning.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

Rooted in years of university DEI programming, including the Micah 6:8 Series at Loma Linda University. Topics range from unconscious bias to building anti-racist coalitions.

Spiritual Care in Healthcare

For healthcare teams and institutions — understanding the chaplaincy model of care, integrating spiritual care with clinical practice, and supporting the whole person.

Faith Formation & Campus Life

Navigating intergenerational faith formation, student spiritual development, and the unique challenges facing campus chaplains and student ministry professionals.

Healing Trauma Through Faith

Drawing from doctoral research on faith, silence, and survivor healing — a nuanced, compassionate approach to how Christian communities can engage trauma.

Parenting, Children & Resilience

Equipping parents and educators to raise resilient, responsible decision-makers. Topics include building resilience in children and navigating complex social environments.

Selected Recent Presentations

Where Dr. Brooks Has Spoken

  • LGBTQ+ and University Campuses: WWJD?Conscience & Justice Council · Huntsville, AL · September 2025
  • Innovations in Chaplaincy — Inaugural Session: Practicing our Faith in Higher EducationAmerican Academy of Religion, Western Region · Arizona State University · March 2025
  • On Belonging – Spaces and Places in Care and Counseling35th International Seminar for Intercultural and Interreligious Pastoral Care (SIPCC) · 2024
  • The Heart of WorshipBig Camp · Melbourne, Australia · 2024
  • European Division Campus Chaplaincy TrainingBrașov, Romania · 2024
  • Navigating Intergenerational Faith Formation in Campus LifeAndrews University · 2024
  • Building Bridges – Establishing Anti-Racist CoalitionsJustLove Summit · 2024
  • Adventist Chaplains World CongressPlenary Speaker · San Antonio, TX · 2015
  • The One ProjectMelbourne, Sydney, San Diego · 2015–2018
  • South New Zealand Camp MeetingMain Speaker · Christchurch, NZ · 2017
  • European Division Chaplaincy Training SummitFlorence, Italy · 2019

A complete list of presentations is available upon request.

Invite Dr. Brooks to Speak

Available for churches, hospitals, universities, nonprofits, conferences, and professional development events. Travels nationally and internationally.

Reflections

From the Garden

Writings on grief, growth, spiritual care, and the quiet wisdom of things that grow slowly.

Banksia flower emerging

Grief

When Death Meets Divine Love: The Christian Hope of the Resurrection

Published in Rethink — a reflection on how resurrection hope transforms the way we grieve.

2025 · Published in Rethink, pp. 54–57

African violet in bloom

Theology & Trauma

Can Christian Religion Effectively Engage Trauma in a Fallen World?

A chapter contribution to Black Apologetics: Reflections on the Viability of Christian Faith.

2025 · Forthcoming

Fuchsia flowers in a stone planter

Growth

The Seed Doesn't Know How Long Winter Lasts

On patience, dormancy, and trusting the work happening beneath the surface — even when you can't see it.

Coming soon

New reflections will be posted regularly. Reach out to be added to the mailing list.

Let's Connect

Get in Touch

We'd love to hear from you

Whether you have questions about services, want to explore whether Leaf to Life is a good fit, or are interested in a speaking engagement — please reach out. All messages are received with care.

hello@leaftolife.com
Colton, CA
In-person & virtual sessions available
Response within 1–2 business days

Leaf to Life is a spiritual care and chaplaincy practice — not a licensed clinical mental health service. If you are in crisis, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.

Your message is confidential. I read every note personally.

Thank you.

Your message has been received. I'll be in touch within 1–2 business days.

Schedule a Session

Book a Session

All new clients begin with a free 15-minute introduction call to ensure Leaf to Life is a good fit for your needs.

Session Types

Choose what feels right

Introduction Call

15 Minutes · Free

A no-pressure conversation to get acquainted, ask questions, and see if Leaf to Life is a good fit.

Individual Session

50 Minutes

One-on-one spiritual care or coaching. In person (Colton, CA) or by video.

Group / Workshop

90 Minutes

Grief circles, coaching groups, and workshop facilitation for communities and organizations.

Small plant beginning to grow on a windowsill

Please note: Leaf to Life provides chaplaincy-based spiritual care, not licensed clinical mental health services. These sessions are not a substitute for therapy, psychiatry, or crisis intervention. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 988 or contact your healthcare provider.

Request Your Session

I'll follow up within 1–2 business days to confirm your appointment.

Request received.

Thank you for reaching out. I'll be in touch within 1–2 business days to confirm your session.