Why Cyclical Europe?
Cyclical Europe recognizes that people and communities grow in cycles, thus the name Cyclical Europe. Specifically, Cyclical Europe creates spaces for spiritual and leadership growth for the modern intellectual individual, recognizing that established religious institutions often struggle to stay connected with the surrounding individuals and societies.
About Us
Jen Lac
Co-Director — Born in England, raised in Canada, and now living in France, Jen has developed a deep understanding of the dynamics of change, letting go, and renewal. Her inspiration to support individuals at the end of life or in bereavement came from accompanying a dear friend through her challenging illness and passing. The profound grief of that experience taught her the importance of not facing the end of life or grief alone.
Professionally, she has worked in community development, leadership training, integration services for refugees, and supporting individuals with rare diseases. Her background also includes studies in the arts and world religions, and she is trained in end-of-life and grief support through the Couleur Plume association.
Jen works in the areas of faith and other community development initiatives. She has a Master’s Degree in Theology from the University of McGill in Montreal, Canada.
Along with her work, Jen is really interested in learning about what it takes to build strong neighborhoods and to increase awareness of environmental issues. For fun, she likes to paint, go out for dinner and read comedy novels. She recently moved from Toronto and now lives with her husband and three children in France.
Lawrence Sharrett
Co-Director — Originally from the United States, Lawrence is currently based in Eastern Europe. He offers online mental health counseling and leadership coaching services for clients in Europe and around the world. Lawrence has lived and worked in four European cities: Sofia, Athens, Thessaloniki, and Tirana.
Lawrence worked for 10 years as a professional educator, both at international schools and a U.S. public school. This experience positions him to better serve clients, students, parents, families, educators, leaders, and those in people-helping professions. He offers counseling services in English for adults, adolescents, and children.
Education has been an integral part of Lawrence’s professional training. He completed an M.Div. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an MSc. at The American College of Greece (Deree). Holding graduate degrees with honors in counseling psychology & psychotherapy, educational leadership, and theological studies with a cross-cultural emphasis, he works with individuals, small groups, and communities to help facilitate experiences for well-being and leadership growth. Lawrence is also an ordained Christian minister.
Along with running, walking, having coffee with a friend, spending time with family, and studying languages, he enjoys research and writing, and he is currently working on a few writing projects that he hopes to have published in the near future.
His counseling experience is informed by the following needs for individuals and societies:
1) the cross-cultural challenges of expat life
2) social and emotional leadership programs for youth
3) healing from the wounds of religion or the church
4) conflict mediation, relationships, and family systems
5) managing high levels of prolonged stress
6) various symptoms of anxiety or depression
7) resilience in the face of grief, pain, and loss
CYCLICAL EUROPE
Pray with us
“When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied: ‘Love God and love people…'”
– Matthew 22