Focus Areas
I'm a certified life and health coach and a peer support specialist. In addition to the Focus Areas highlighted below, there is so much where support and guidance can be offered. However, there are areas of mental health that might be better addressed with the support of a licensed clinician, which I am happy to help with a referral.
Working together, a person-centered approach can help with the following areas:
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can so often undermine our ability to healthily navigate life, relationships, work, and anything that comes our way. Stress and anxiety can affect our physical wellbeing and lead to maladaptive behaviors in lieu of healthy coping skills. Together, we can work manage stress and anxiety and their impact on our mental and physical health.
Substance Use Disorder / Co-occurring Conditions
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a type of unhealthy coping skills and are often tied to a co-occurring condition rooted in trauma or other mental health condition. As a person with lived experience, we can work together to navigate these unhealthy behaviors and unravel the root cause leading to healthier coping skills and ultimately enduring abstinence and recovery.
Self-Worth
We all have great value at every level in life. Yet, there are times when we simple lose sight of our value, which can manifest as low self-esteem leaving us feeling unlovable, with a lack of belonging and just not feeling good enough. Everyone has value and together we’ll tap into our perceived and real value in every aspect of life and maybe realize our purpose.
Relationships
Relationships can be difficult. But ultimately, they are what life is all about…connection. Belonging. Love. Working to understand our role in every relationship can shed light in how we might do better which can inspire others in our lives do better as well.
Acceptance and Serenity
Needing to control every situation, every person is a zero-sum gain. There is only one thing we can control and that is ourselves. We cannot control others. We cannot expect others to do or act as we do. Unless we realize those facts, we cannot have peace or serenity. Acceptance is the answer. If we can learn to accept things as they are, truly accept them as being the way they are intended, we can find peace and serenity.
Spirituality
Religion and spirituality are often seen as being synonymous. They are not. Simply put, religion is a formalized, cultural belief system concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe. Whereas spirituality is a personal exploration that may involve the notion that there is something greater than us that may shed light on our searching for the meaning of life, that we are a part of something purposeful. Together, we can search what that may hold or be, our purpose.
Workplace and Careers
Understanding workplace dynamics can have a great impact on career progression as they relate to goals. Understanding what motivates us and why has an impact on the trajectory of our careers. Are we doing what we are meant to be doing? Together we can navigate the value or our workplace goals ensuring they align with our purpose.
Criminal Justice
Navigating the criminal justice system can be a challenge, especially when in the midst of it, creating stress, anxiety and an inability to think straight. Lived experience in how to recognize the workings of a criminal justice system can help bring a sense of calm in what may lie ahead. Acceptance can play a big role here and together we’ll work toward that.