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About
Me:
I was
drawn to coaching through some synchronous events that only
looked like a clear, inevitable path in retrospect. I had
been practicing law for many years, hoping to change the world
by challenging old laws and helping to write new ones. Progress
was slow. As a lawyer, I was required to take continuing legal
educations credits on a regular basis, to hone my skills and
sharpen my mind.
In 1995,
to fulfill CLE requirements, I took a mediation-training course.
I was fascinated by how people who were deeply entrenched
in antagonistic positions could suddenly shift to collaborative
solutions through the help of a mediator trained in listening
and facilitation skills. But I wondered how such a shift might
come about before or outside of litigation.
A short
time later, my friend brought over a brochure from The Coaches
Training Institute in San Rafael. And there it was -- I had
found the answer to my quest! Coaching people and businesses
could prevent discord, dissension, deterioration of relationship
to self and others, floundering, blaming and a host of other
non-productive behaviors. I immediately enrolled in CTI's
programs, and have been actively coaching since 1996.
By 1998,
I had finished all my course work, passed my certification
exam and completed CTI's year-long leadership training program.
I continued to broaden my learning by taking a leadership
course produced by the Women's Natural Leadership Institute,
completing certificate programs at CommunityAtWork in Group
Facilitation Skills, including participatory decision-making
and consensus building, and in Organizational Diagnosis. On
a more spiritual side, I have taken courses in Universal Law
of Attraction (Abraham-Hicks) and regularly use that guidance
in my life and work.
During
my leadership program at CTI, I began developing The SafetyNet
Project -- a nonprofit resource devoted to helping seriously
ill people pull their family and friends together into an
organized, effective, responsive support team. Based on the
example of my dear friend, Donna Solomon, who died of cancer,
I wrote a workbook called "Love Heals: The Patient-Caregiver
Guide to Building A Strong Support Team". I also conduct
in-person and telephone workshops for patients, caregivers
and healthcare providers.
In May
2002, fulfilling a life-long love of dance, I took an intensive
in The Nia Technique--a body-mind-spirit-emotion movement
technique integrating martial arts (Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and
Aikido), dance (modern, jazz and Duncan) and healing arts
(yoga, Alexander, Feldenkrais). I will be teaching Nia classes
as of Fall 2002 and conducting workshops combining Nia and
coaching. The imagery and visualization used in Nia open so
many experiences, "issues" and possibilities that
I want people to have a chance to work with them right after
experiencing them, when they are fresh and content-rich and
emotional-laden. I am deeply committed to combining my coaching
and Nia practices and encouraging people to bring forth their
truths and discover their hidden gifts and desires.
Given
my eclectic background, it is only natural that my clients
presently include a broad cross-section of professionals,
entrepreneurs and creatives (I was trained as a fine artist
in my late teens). I still practice law, but not as much,
so that I can continue pursuing my other passions!
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