What I offer

I coach independently and in collaboration with EMDR therapists. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is evidence-based therapy designed to help people process trauma from stressful past experiences. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation of the brain to neutralize difficult memories. Learn more about this effective treatment here.

Alongside your EMDR therapy, I offer between-session integration, and post-therapy transition and skill building. We will use creative methods (music, theatre, oral storytelling, visualizing, art-making, writing) and integrate somatic practices (body scans, breathing, grounding, mindful movement). As part of your EMDR therapy you will be “installing” more positive self concepts. I can help you express those in other creative formats to shore up and transfer your new insights, and build skills to keep them in play.

I offer in-person and virtual sessions, and specialize in working with educators and creatives. I bring to the work my studies and practice in theatre and education, a decade coaching educators, a decade creating multimedia, a passion for EMDR, and a creative and down to earth energy.

What I don’t offer

While I collaborate with licensed EMDR clinicians, I am not a licensed clinician, and I do not practice EMDR (though I do receive the treatment myself!). I offer non-clinical coaching support that complements your EMDR therapy, helping with regulation and integration in between sessions or after you have transitioned from treatment. EMDR involves accessing traumatic past experiences that continue to trigger distress in your life. It happens in a safe, structured way using bilateral stimulation techniques. This process supports the brain’s natural ability to process and let go of these difficult experiences and replace them with new positive beliefs. My coaching will build upon that process and use other mind/body methods to help you replace the narratives that got you stuck with the fresh stories that help you move forward in flow. If you find yourself in distress, I will refer you to a clinically licensed EMDR therapist who can treat the trauma.

FAQ

What if I am not doing EMDR therapy?
If you are not currently in EMDR therapy, I will provide somatic coaching that is informed by EMDR.
If you would like to begin EMDR therapy, I recommend EMDR Group of Chicago.

If I do have an EMDR therapist, will you be communicating with them?
If it would be helpful to you to have collaboration between your coach and therapist, that is an option we can explore. However, nothing will be shared between your therapist and coach without your written consent. If there is not collaboration, there will be connection. You will bring the insights you develop in EMDR therapy to coaching sessions, where we will turn those insights into action.

What training do you have?
In addition to professional training I received for many years as an instructional coach, I am currently receiving certified training from u-lab Presencing Institute / MIT Learn and somatic coaching development from My Innermission. I also hold a certificate in Trauma-Informed Coaching from The Centre for Healing.

What if I have a trauma response?
If our work together triggers a response best handled by a licensed clinician, I will refer to you a therapist. (ADD MORE HERE.)

How do we begin?
We start with a 30 minute free consultation using a protocol to determine if my coaching is a good fit for you. If we move forward, our first session will involve deeper storytelling protocols using stabilization techniques. From there, we will co-create a plan for the first coaching cycle.

What other questions to you have?
Please reach out using the form at the end of the page.

Pricing

8 week coaching cycle, $1,000

You are supported to:

• Transfer insights from EMDR therapy

• Apply regulation skills in daily work and life

• Build resilience between and/or after therapy sessions

• Create products to make your story concrete, visible, and inspiring

• Set and stay accountable to goals for putting your new story into action

You receive:

• Weekly 60 minute coaching sessions in-person, online, or hybrid

• Brief text or email check-ins between sessions as needed

• Personalized somatic exercises & regulation plan

• Creative project development and feedback

• Goal tracking and accountability

A la carte sessions - $100/hr

Financial aid available; please ask.

Fresh Installations

“Fresh Installations” is a quarterly group gathering to share creative works produced during coaching cycles. EMDR therapy involves reprocessing difficult experiences and installing new positive beliefs, and coaching helps put those into action. Maybe you want to make your new narrative visible in a collage or series of drawings. Or maybe it’s to be heard, through spoken word poetry or a declarative statement. When others witness your new narrative, it can feel supportive, cathartic, and healing. You will realize you are not alone, but in the company of others who have engaged in EMDR treatment and somatic coaching, moving forward with fresh insights. While “Fresh Installations” may not be for everyone at every time, it’s available as part of Foreword Motion’s coaching package should you choose to participate.

“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”

Animations by Barbara Pozzi and Kaoru Hironaka

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