Jude is a Ritual Artist as well as a facilitator for a variety of healing spaces and journeys.  Her personal ancestral practice involves an interesting combination of spirituality from both sides of her family.  Her mother’s side includes a long line of female en caul births, of which Jude was one.  It is the case that “veiled” births have deep spiritual significance.  On her father’s side, the O’Higgins name is the anglicized form of Gaelic O’hUiginn–a descendant of Uiginn, which is a byname meaning viking (sea rover).  Her ancestors include Drui “poets” of Ireland—seers for the Kings.  The O’Higgins family is a long lineage of well-respected “inspired poets” who entered non-ordinary reality through trance, and brought messages back for Kings.  They used what has been called the “Triple Gift of Imbas.”  This is a type of high inspiration that results in holy prophecy, sacred divination, and enlightenment.  There are three illuminations known as Dichetal Do Chennaib (chanting), Imbas Forosnai (sacred meditation/journey), and Teinm Laida (psychometry).  The state of Imbas is reached through sound and rhythm.  Jude uses such drumming in her ceremonial work.

Jude’s heritage is also enhanced through her mestiza lineage in New Mexico—a mix of indigenous and Spanish ancestry—especially Alonso Catiti from Santo Domingo Pueblo one of the lieutenants in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt that drove out 400 Spaniards and 2,000 settlers.  Jude calls on all of her ascended ancestors in her spiritual practice.

Jude also worked for many years as a tenured cultural anthropology professor, and has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. Jude has completed Dying Consciously Training, No One Dies Alone Training, and has thousands of hours as a Spiritual Care Provider in the hospital, hospice, and as an end of life doula.

She has been actively doing shamanic journey work, meditation, and guided visualization since 1992, and can provide these services for clients and families at their request.  She is a trained facilitator in Parker Palmer’s “formation” or Circle of Trust work, and specializes in the construction of life history stories using interview techniques, and qualitative research methodologies. HELD Services LLC can help clients construct story – a critical component of the transition process that will allow individuals to identify the meaning and legacy of their life, as well as come to terms with any regrets or unfinished business they may wish to address.  HELD Services LLC provides a Transitional Coaching approach to supporting patients and their families.  Often, coaching sessions are approached with a specific focus in mind, and Jude or any trained HELD Doulas can help with this.   HELD Services LLC can help families assess transitional situations, and present helpful solutions to clients and loved ones, as they navigate that difficult time.   HELD Services LLC also offers a three-day, intensive, End of Life Doula Training Course.  This training will provide individuals with all the tools necessary to become a Soul Midwife, End of Life Doula, and/or Transition Coach—whichever term you prefer. By the end of this course, students are able to guide, support, and hold space for dying individuals and those closest to them.  Jude also offers End-of-Life Trainings for various hospices and hospitals in the Utah area.