A number of years back, when my focus was still psychotherapy, one of my clients suggested I market myself as “the least therapist-like therapist ever". I don’t know if that would have worked, but the statement captured a deeper truth; while I'd found a greater sense of meaning and purpose providing psychotherapy than I ever had doing IT work, it still wasn't quite the right space for me to work in.
(You know that shirt you have that looks fine and fits ok, but is always just a little uncomfortable, but you're not sure why? It was kinda like that.)
Coaching, on the other hand, fits me like a glove, as the saying goes. I have the opportunity to bring all my psychological knowledge, training, and experience to bear in the world of business, helping people who care deeply about making the world a better place get better at doing that.
Why small business? Maybe it was watching my dad build a small consulting business in my teen years, maybe it’s just that I’ve always been pretty independent, but I’ve always felt like that was the space that fit best for me. I think a lot of people dismiss small businesses, but the reality is that small businesses can do big things, especially once they learn the right strategies, tools, and techniques.
A little about me
I’ve got a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Brown University, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco. I've been a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (CA License #MFC43212) since 2006.
Truth be told, though, the tools and skills I use most in my work have been developed from ongoing education, training with other professionals, and my work with clients over the last 20 + years.
Beyond the Work
I was born in Montana, but when people ask me where I’m from I generally say Santa Cruz, as the childhood years I spent there were what really shaped my core identity. Since 1992, home has been in Sacramento, where I currently reside with my daughter, my partner, and Greta (yes, as in Thunburg and Gerwig), our chatty tortie pictured here.
I’m grateful to share space with some curious, playful humans who help keep things a little lighter for me. If you stopped by our home, you’d probably find us either doing something creative, playing games, watching one of our favorite shows, eating pizza, or just goofing around.
While I find myself deeply concerned about the state of the world, my work has connected me with many people who are working to make this a better place for now and the future. Being able to help others do that work more powerfully has been a wonderful privilege. If you’re on a similar mission and looking for some help to make it happen, let’s have a conversation and see if it would be a fit for us to work together.
