About Russell

Personal:
I am a two-time cancer survivor. The first time I was only 13 years old and felt a pain in my dominant arm (I was left handed). Turned out I had bone cancer and once they figured this out things moved quickly. There was a biopsy then, after confirmation of the cancer, my entire left arm was amputated. That was in 1978. I’m still here but, yes, I do type more slowly than you do. 

At the age of 39 cancer revisited me. This time is was colorectal and to be quite honest, this cancer negatively affected me more than the other. I’ll not go into great detail but the ensuing radiation, surgery, post-operative radiation and chemotherapy continue to play havoc on my body even today. This has made it difficult to work as much as I used to, even the recent past. Wholistic Education, LLC is my attempt to stay active by educating and supporting people by providing a sorely needed service. 

I’ve been happily married since 1992 and, by all indications, will continue to be married for the foreseeable future.  After having lived with dogs most of my life, my spouse and I now live with two cats, Maisy and Libby. 

Specialties

Rev. Russell Elleven, DMin

Education

  • Doctor of Ministry (DMin) – Meadville Lombard Theological School – Pastoral Care & Counseling Emphasis

  • Doctor of Education (EdD) – University of North Texas – Education & Counseling

  • Master of Science (MS) – University of North Texas – Training & Development

  • Master of Theological Studies (MTS) – Vanderbilt University Divinity School – World Religions

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) – Texas Christian University (TCU) – History/Religious Studies

Credentials:

  • Fully ordained and fellowshipped minister (UUA)

    • Elected Minister Emeritus

    • Affiliated Minister - Church of the Larger Fellowship

  • Two Units of Clinical Pastoral Education – Harris Methodist Hospital

  • Board Certified Coach (BCC)

  • National Certified Counselor (NCC)

  • Certified Grief Counselor (AIHCP)

  • Certified End of Life Specialist (University of Lynchburg)

  • Texas Licensed Professional Counselor (#18315)

  • Texas Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (#9636)

  • Primary & Advanced Certificates in REBT – Albert Ellis Institute

  • End of Life Doula Certificate – University of Vermont Medical School

  • Companion Animal End of Life Doula – University of Vermont Medical School

  • Health & Wellness Coach – Mayo Clinic

  • Certificate in Non-Profit Management – University of Illinois @ Chicago

Memberships:

  • Unitarian Universalist Mental Health Network

  • Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association

  • Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministry

  • American Counseling Association

  • Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling

  • Association of Professional Chaplains

  • Association for Pet Loss & Bereavement

Employment:

  • Chief Administrative Officer – Wholistic Education, LLC – 2019 to present 

  • Executive Director – The Genesis 1:29 Progect – 2016 to 2018

  • Lived in Puerto Rico – 2014 to 2016

  • Minister – Westside UU Church – 2005 to 2013

  • Assistant Professor – University of North Texas – 2002 to 2008

  • Associate Director for Residence Life – Texas Christian University (TCU) – 1998 to 2002

  • Residence Life Coordinator – University of North Texas – 1995 to 1998 

  • Residence Hall Director – University of North Texas – 1991 to 1995

Photograph by Mary Alice Cretsinger 2008