My Philosophy
I BELIEVE…
...our most natural state is connection — to ourselves and each other. Discovering and sharing our whole, authentic selves is a profound act of love. Most of us got some complicated lessons along the way about what we were allowed to feel, want, or be. We grew up learning that putting everyone else first, keeping strong feelings to ourselves, and 'being good' was far better than being our true selves. No one taught us that caring for ourselves wasn't selfish. Yet we all know how hard it is to give when we've been running on empty for weeks, months, or even years.
...every person experiences life through their own unique lens, which means a one-size-fits-all approach fits no one. Learning to listen to and trust our inner voice is sometimes difficult, especially when the world is so loud, but it’s often the exact key to finding our way back to ourselves.
...being highly sensitive or a bit different from the norm can be challenging, and learning to embrace those differences can make life extraordinary. Neurodiversity brings strengths and perspectives that deserve to be understood, valued, and celebrated.
I BELIEVE…
…everyone has the right to love who they love and to know their own gender identity. Choices about bodies, families, and how to build a life belong to the person living it.
...growth is lifelong. None of us arrive and stay there. We grow, stumble, learn, forget, and begin again. What matters is continuing to show up for yourself, especially on the days when old patterns pull you backwards.
AND I BELIEVE…
...caring for our physical, emotional, and relational well-being is among the wisest uses of our time and resources..
None of us were meant to go through life's challenges alone.
Where I Came From
Long before coaching, I spent years walking with people through some of life's most intense moments:
Volunteering on a rape relief crisis line, including accompanying survivors through hospital visits and legal proceedings.
Teaching English to people from a dozen fascinating cultures and cheering as their language skills grew strong enough to express all they'd longed to say.
Sitting with patients and families as a hospice respite worker during some of their hardest days
Practising and teaching massage therapy for 25 years, helping people find relief from stress, pain, and overwhelm.
Guiding clients through the emotional process of buying and selling homes, as their REALTOR®
Each of those chapters shaped how I show up: calm in intensity, comfortable with what's real, and deeply respectful of what it takes to make it through big life events.
I’ve loved and connected with people from wildly different backgrounds, traditions, and spiritual paths.
Pronouns: she/her. LGBTQIA+ affirming, all identities, relationships, and family structures are welcome here.
Training & Credentials
BA in Psychology, University of Washington
Certificate in Professional Writing, Algonquin College
Certified Master Wellness Life Coach
Certified Relationship Workshop Facilitator
Certified Focus Mastery & Breakthrough Coach
Science of Happiness Certification, UC Berkeley
Infinite Possibilities Certified Trainer
In midlife, I immigrated from Seattle to build a life with my Canadian husband Pierre. Beginning again — new country, new almost everything — gave me yet another reminder that we can do hard, uncertain, life-altering things and come out the other side with a clearer sense of who we are and what we’re made of.
I wrote of our journey in my first book, Saying Yes: An International Love Story, my chronicle of choosing love over comfort and familiarity at fifty. To my amazement, it became an Amazon bestseller and a finalist in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards.
Now finally at home, I live in Ottawa with Pierre, our dog Kimchi, our cat Teeka, and a zillion red wiggler worms quietly composting fruits and vegetables, leaves and newspapers to amend our gardens.
When I'm not working, you'll usually find me reading, studying holistic health, spending time in nature, or having the kind of deep conversations that make me lose track of time.
Wondering what working together actually looks like?