Psychosynthesis Life Coach, MA Forensic Psychology
https://www.oasisinthestorm.com
I am dedicated to helping creative-minded people live up to their own expectations of themselves in their creative and personal lives.
What type of coaching do you offer and to whom?
I help creative-minded adults who feel thwarted, blocked, stuck, bored or unfulfilled in their life paths. You may have tried other ways to fix your problems but continue to experience stress, anxiety, anger, depressed mood, or job or relationship issues. Psychosynthesis coaching helps unlock your potential using your creativity. It helps to clarify and define your goals, and to develop ways to achieve them. It helps you find your own voice. Evidence-based techniques from several disciplines, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, creative-arts therapies and dream work are custom-tailored to your needs and your style. We work together collaboratively, and between-session phone check-ins and emails help keep you motivated and on track. Sessions are conducted online and include an optional weekly online guided meditation group.
Why did you get into coaching? What motivates you?
My life has always had two themes: art and easing the distress of others. As a child of inherited trauma, I recognized very early the pain of others, as well as my tendency to help and support people. I was always a great listener. After college, I became director and primary therapist of a residential treatment home for court-ordered children. In order to provide the best treatment, I studied art therapy and received intensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy, which included parent training. These methods were so successful that almost all the children were able to return to their families or transition into adoptive homes, and this motivated me to continue working with those who needed it most. My most rewarding undertakings were as art specialist in a summer camp for special needs children, and photographer for an Environmental Enhancement Project in the brain trauma unit of Bellevue Hospital. Continuing on my path, I earned my MA in forensic psychology, and transitioned to working with adults in various capacities (mental health clinician, art therapist, social worker, case manager). Ultimately I became a psychosynthesis life coach because it combines, in a creative collaborative way, the best of all these worlds and provides fast, practical, permanent solutions to problems of living.
What differentiates you from other coaches?
As an artist (photographer, dancer, poet), I understand the unique struggles of my artist and creator clients. I have also overcome many of the non-arts-related struggles that others experience.
My program is based in psychosynthesis, an approach developed over 100 years ago. Certain techniques have been specifically developed by the founders and leaders in the field, drawing from methods of various healing traditions. My training in art therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and other healing traditions are incorporated into my program. While these methods are customized to each person, everyone is guided to develop their own clear goals which are broken down into smaller achievable steps, arriving at solutions quickly and effectively.
In addition to life coaching, I also offer a no-cost weekly online meditation group, please contact me to register. Several related programs can also be found on my website, and an arts and meditation retreat is planned for the fall of 2022.
What values are important to you when working with clients?
I honor your Truth. I listen deeply and non-judgmentally with respect and caring, and I ask powerful questions. You are an adult, so I don’t need to tell you what to do, I only suggest and guide. That’s because you already know what needs to be done but may not know how to start. We work in a cooperative partnership (not one-up-one-down). My goal is to get my clients to a point where they know how to identify and address their problems on their own, i.e. I’m trying to put myself out of a job.
What do you do for fun?
- make art (photography, drawing, poetry)
- visit family and friends wherever they may be
- hike in forests, deserts, and mountains
- dig in the dirt (i.e. “gardening”)
- gaze at the stars
- watch Cirque du Soleil
- member of Small Planet Dancers, Write-Up Springfield, Out/Spoken Poets, Springfield Naturalists Club