“I’m never putting in another Foley catheter.” This was the epiphany I experienced in 2006. I had been a nurse for over 20 years, mostly in home care and later in hospice. I appreciated my patients, I found my work meaningful. At the time, I had three kids in middle school, a supportive husband and I felt like I was juggling all the time. I was overwhelmed and experiencing burnout. I knew there had to be a better way for me and my family.
From this backdrop, over several years, I became a Leadership and Life Coach. I have a special interest in self-leadership to expand out to leading others for greater impact. From knowing yourself, and taking greater charge of your life, you can create a better future for you, those you love and those you work with.
I am a natural nurturer. I have always been interested in personal development and leading a meaningful life. When I was in college, positive psychology and coaching had not been established. I ended up choosing to be nurse for my first career.
Over the past decade, my focus in caring for others has moved from taking care of to actively supporting others to live with joy and make the difference they desire. I built on my history and skills and became a certified coach.
How I Became a Coach
In 2009, I hired a career coach. After a few sessions she recommended that I explore coaching. I went to an initial class with Co-Active Training Institute and came away knowing coaching was for me. I thought, “this is a profession in which I can bring all of myself, one in which I can be of service to bring out your best.” I was so excited, I could barely sleep for a few days. I dove in fully committed and became a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). I continue to enjoy learning and developing as a coach.
My Coaching Philosophy
Living aligned with one’s values allows people to make their impact in meaningful ways. Asking the right questions helps bring awareness to what’s important as well as to one’s own strengths, ways to solve problems, innovate and work with others. As I coach, I listen and reflect what I hear so that people become more aware of their thoughts and behavior. I gently challenge my clients so that they can go beyond where they are now and live more fully in ways that are important to them.
The clients who do really well with me are those who:
- Are interested in having a life of meaning
- Take responsibility for their actions and how they want to be
- Are open to trying on new ideas, perspectives and behaviors
- Are willing to look at their whole life, as well as discreet goals
I look forward to working with these types of clients so that they can create their own meaningful and impactful lives.
By the way, I’m happily married for over 30 years to a physician. We have three adult children. I am involved with my synagogue, enjoy learning, listening to books, reading, yoga and walks. I am active in the International Coach Federation Connecticut chapter where I was president 2016-’17.
Certificate Education:
- Wholebeing Institute – Certificate in Positive Psychology
- Co-Active Training Institute – Certified Professional Co-Active Coach
- Life Coaching Group
- Certified Mentor Coach
- Profit From the Positive
- Oasis in the Overwhelm
Formal Education:
- Pace University – M.S. in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
- Cornell University – B.S. Human Development and Family Studies
