Why I Moved From Therapy to Coaching
Over the last 28 years, I’ve immersed myself in the profound journey of working with trauma survivors and ex-cult members as a licensed social worker. In this sacred work, I have honed a diverse toolkit, weaving together the power of Cognitive techniques, the transformative practices of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, the depth of parts work, the release found in Brainspotting, and the life-giving rhythm of breathwork, the creativity of SoulCollage™ among many other tools.
As I walked alongside my clients on their journeys toward recovery and the lives they’ve long envisioned, it became clear that much of my work embodies a form of therapeutic “coaching.” Yet it is not simply coaching; it is a deeply personal process rooted in the rich, individual stories each person brings.
Many of my clients have been harmed by the medical model—by diagnoses and the implication that they are “mentally ill” and require medication for the rest of their lives, despite the lack of research on long-term use. If you have been hurt in similar ways, know that in working with me, the focus is on recovery—often a beautiful process of discovery—and the possibility of moving forward with clarity and agency.
Rather than being defined by labels, this work offers compassionate guidance to help you uncover your strengths, reclaim your narrative, and step boldly into the life you envision for yourself.
Coaching does not assign a diagnosis or focus on symptoms from a medical viewpoint. For many people, coaching offers a focused, time-limited form of support that meets immediate needs—and when it is trauma-informed, it can be an effective and meaningful pathway for healing and integration, without requiring extended psychotherapy.
If you have a recent history of suicide attempt or self-harm, coaching may not be for you at this time.
For many people, trauma-informed coaching offers a focused, time-limited form of support that can meaningfully aid healing and integration. While it does not replace psychotherapy when clinical treatment is needed, it can be an effective option for those seeking growth, insight, and forward movement outside of long-term therapy.