Exploring Life & Business with Christi Padilla of CL Creative Arts Therapy Services (CLCATS), and PADIC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Padilla.

Hi Christi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
During a 30-year battle with substance abuse, I lost everything I loved. My children’s father was sentenced to 34 years in prison, I lost custody of my 4 children and went in and out of prison for 12 years. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia and breast cancer. Then, by the grace of God, I realized I had this ability, not a disability. With that revelation, I was able to see myself the way God see’s me.

So, I began to do the work that needed to be done. I locked myself in the basement of a abandoned home and I meet my maker-(myself). I was the problem and I was the solution and my faith asked me to surrendered my will and my life to Jesus Christ. I accepted the invitation. For the first time I accepted responsibility for all my actions and forgave others for hurting me. Forgiveness was the key.

Surrounded by my own demons, I turned that basement apartment into a worship center, a school and recovery center. I realized if I wanted to live I had to go to war with all the things that had sunk my battle ship(Worship)

After winning the war over my mind I had a fire burning inside of me to help others. So, I took the idea God had placed in my heart back to the streets that I had died in. The calling was to help other women, men, and families who were going thru what I survived. I put forth the effort to help God’s people and He opened all the doors I needed and allowed me access to work every place I went with nobody’s permission but my own.

My journey with mental illness was the course study that prepared me to what I do. My new life is not just about helping other people, I have written a autobiography and I am the designer of an innovative purse design that is in the prototype phase. My brand is named PADIC and it is my hope that both will prosper enough to leave a legacy for my children and grandchildren.

Not only had my mind been healed but my relationships with my now adult children are greatly improving. I expect full restoration in the coming years.

CLCATS.Org stands for Christ’s Love Creative Arts Therapy Services.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My biggest challenge has been waiting to see the results of my faith manifest . Resurrection is not an overnight process. It takes endurance and takes years for the shift in mindset to produce noticeable results.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CL Creative Arts Therapy Services (CLCATS), and PADIC?
I often call myself a “Loveologist”—someone devoted to helping others feel seen. At CLCATS.Org we use subconscious learning to help people identify their subconscious thoughts and behaviors to bring about positive changes and take action towards their goals.

Move What Matters is my peer coaching venture. I design digital content to share with those interested or pursuing substance abuse and trauma recovery and healing.

PADIC is the name of my designer purse line. Fashion meets function with my innovative design. PADIC is the result of a back yard mechanic, a ladies man and a shopaholic.

Music is the title of my autobiography, in this book I share funny, heartbreaking, scary, and adventurous stories of my life. This book will be available on Kindle and many other platforms.

I am currently volunteering at David Clifton Ministries in Lakewood, Colorado and helping my oldest daughter care for my granddaughter.

DREAM BIG because dreams do come true.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Vulnerability and my faith in God are deeply intertwined. I’ve come to understand that emotions like sorrow, anger, happiness, and joy are spiritual in nature—just as Jesus Christ is spirit. The more I’ve sought His presence, the more equipped I’ve become to truly feel and share His love with those around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CLCATS.ORG
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/padic_?igsh=MWNkeGZhcDNncG5mOA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564056779064
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christilove-speaker?trk=contact-info
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@movewhatmatters?si=SJspgLktFWlyvngc
• Other: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGFW5YnQl8/wpowwoaPRDxcZhmj5OpotA/edit?utm_content=DAGFW5YnQl8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me and all digital art are my original designs.