What’s it like to work together?
I work alongside my clients as a coach and guide. My approach is curiosity-based and responsive, which means that it looks a bit different for each person. I use my tools, training, intuition, and observations as we talk to meet you where you are in the moment.
Most of the time, the work we do together looks like a conversation. As we speak, I’ll invite you to become aware of your energy, emotions, and sensations. During some sessions, I may offer to teach you a specific technique or practice that could support you. Or, I may suggest an outside resource that I think could be helpful.*
*Anything I offer is an invitation, and never a requirement. I encourage you to turn inward to figure out what feels right to you. Take what works; leave the rest.
Regardless of the shape of our work together, you can expect it to be:
Relational – We are hurt in relationships, and we heal in relationships. By building trust together over time, our relationship becomes the foundation of stability for you to safely explore what arises in your experience. It is from this stable, secure place that you begin to heal the patterns that are no longer serving you.
Somatic – Somatic means “relating to the body.” Many of us, especially if we have trauma, struggle to connect with our bodies. We may have trouble tracking the feelings and sensations that arise within us. I’ll support you in becoming more aware of your embodied experience, in a gentle, accessible way. The insights you glean will help guide our work together.
Emotion-focused – Our emotions provide us with essential data, yet many of us carry shame around feeling certain emotions that we associate as being “bad” or “wrong.” So we learned that it isn’t okay to feel our full range of feelings. I’ll hold a nonjudgemental space for you to tune into your emotions safely, so that you can benefit from the wisdom they hold.
We can talk about …
Emotional Resilience – Our bodies, brains, and nervous systems let us know (often in unpleasant ways) when we are stressed beyond what we can handle. Thankfully, you already have resources both within you and outside of you that you can tap into for support. When you’re better resourced, you’ll find that you have a greater capacity to skillfully navigate challenges, without feeling overwhelmed. I’d be honored to show you the way.
Rewarding Relationships – Our relationships are essential to our wellbeing. We depend on them to feel safe, secure, and nourished. At the same time, relationships are often the site of our deepest wounds, which can leave us feeling vulnerable, anxious, and insecure. If you’re of being stuck in stressful cycles of people-pleasing, avoidance, and resentment, I get it. We all want to have fulfilling, connected relationships. I’d love to help you radically reimagine how you relate to the people in your life.
Authentic Belonging – When we were young, our survival depended on the acceptance and approval of other people. As adults, we may continue to sacrifice our authenticity in order to fit in or feel loved. But true belonging doesn’t require us to stay small or to be perfect. What would it be like to come home to an unshakeable sense of belonging within yourself, rather than outsourcing your self-worth to others? Our work together can help you get there.
Beautiful Boundaries – We may shy away from setting boundaries because we don’t want to put up barriers in our relationships. But in fact, boundaries are essential if we want authentic intimacy and connection. Every “no” makes way for a more aligned “yes” …if only you can communicate it. If you tend to go along with other people’s preferences so you don’t rock the boat, you’re not alone. I’ll help you develop skills to courageously communicate your needs and desires, guilt-free.
Sustainable Self-Care – Self-care is not one-size-fits-all. If the self-care you’ve been sold isn’t actually working for you, that’s because it’s not tailored for you. Real, sustainable self-care can’t be bought. Instead, it requires us to have honest conversations with ourselves, to check in regularly, and to respond to our needs, moment to moment. Through this process, we cultivate a steadfast, abiding self-trust that sustains us for the long haul. Together, we’ll get to the bottom of what you actually need to thrive.
Prioritizing Pleasure – Pleasure is our birthright. We are biologically wired for it, yet so many of us carry guilt and shame around feeling good. Society would have us believe that we have to “earn” our pleasure (and our rest), so we stay stuck in patterns of striving, overworking, and perfectionism. What if you could stop pressuring yourself to always be productive, and instead pursue what lights you up? If you’re ready to tap into more ease, joy, and pleasure, you’re in the right place.
Curious about working together?
If you’re considering working with me, I would be honored! The first step is to have a conversation. We’ll talk about what’s going on for you and see if we’re a fit.
If you’re not interested in working together one-on-one, no worries. A few times a year, I also coach on these topics in a supportive, small group setting.