My Background
Like so many people, growing up, I had a mix of positives and dysfunction in my family. Basically, I was lovingly supported but did not realize how tightly my parents held the reins beneath the surface. In my mid twenties I went through a self generated crisis and suddenly found myself firmly outside my family’s religious value system and an outcast in many tangible ways.
I spent decades coming to terms with my different yet surprisingly more comfortable way of living. In actively exploring what felt right to me spiritually, I discovered a number of inclusive (vs. exclusive) paths that felt not really “new” but more like “coming home.”
Important steps on my personal journey toward wholeness and healing include:
- Seven years active work as a prayer chaplain in an inclusive church of my choice.
- Twenty years facilitating small lay groups in people’s homes. The practice of active and respectful listening was a major requirement within these groups. I was once told by a visitor who was observing for the evening that I listened so well it scared her!
The skills I learned and used in both these volunteer activities have become a deep part of who I am. Last year, after encountering a woman crying and holding a baby outside a doctor’s office, I spoke with her and realized she needed immediate prayer support. The chaplain inside me came through easily in a loving but generic way and I could tell my support had comforted her and made a noticeable difference for her. After this unexpected happening, which I term a “divine appointment,” I began to think about becoming a coach. I sensed that the years and intensity of my chaplain work and group facilitation had prepared me well, and in many ways I was a coach already!
I believe in ongoing, ever expanding personal growth and am committed to support my clients in rising and soaring! Over the years I have sought out many types of therapy, both one-on-one and in groups, and have taken many personal growth training courses. The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) has been particularly helpful for me personally in letting go of deep seated patterns holding me back and preventing my full blown happiness and self expression. As one of my coaching techniques, I happily use EFT with my clients when indicated. EFT is easy to do and I can teach you to do it for yourself! It can quickly and amazingly remove old and counterproductive patterns anchored subconsciously deep in your body. Also, it can easily be calibrated, so you can chart your progress of removal and lightening up.
In my coaching sessions I collaborate with my clients to create a clean and liberating personal canvas. We become artists of possibility! As my client, you and I would work together, identifying and agreeing to deemphasize those thoughts and patterns that don’t serve you; we would then replace them with positive habits and beliefs that actively support your achieving desired goals and outcomes. We would also regularly chart and discuss your progress toward these goals in a positive and comfortable way, often with a dash of humor!
All of us have the capacity for growing and changing. What we focus on, whether positive or negative, expands. In my coaching practice I am joyfully committed to focus on your positive growth. It is my honor to support you in making vital, life enhancing choices that bring you joy and deep satisfaction! You are capable of rising and soaring!