HERE'S THE STORY

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From a young age I learned to respond to daily life by climbing up into my head, setting up camp and remaining there for the duration. I later realized that I wanted a life that my thinking alone could not provide. In fact my never ending thoughts were becoming the problem. When I discovered the deep wisdom that lives beneath our thoughts, I knew I had accessed a different kind of innate intelligence from which many of us are disconnected. I learned to access the naturally wise parts of myself that are available to each of us; intuitive wisdom, the messages from our body, genuine feelings, and an inner calm. I now appreciate the mind as the intelligent and practical tool that it is. Yet I can connect with the naturally wise parts of myself that support me in making choices that are more balanced, clear and empowered.

I also discovered that it is my purpose and privilege to support others in this holistic, powerful approach to life and work.

CREDENTIALS

I am trained and certified in both fundamental and advanced coaching and facilitation techniques.

Life Coach of the Year Nominee 2012 & 2014
International Coach Federation of New England

Certifications and Education:

  • Certified co-Active Coach CPCC: trained and certified by the Coaches Training Institute (CTI)

  • Certified Deep River Facilitator: Trained and certified in practical methods and tools for those feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Clients learn to create balance and a manageable pace in their day-to-day lives.

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy

Professional Training:

  • Completed full course of study and certification at the Coaches Training Institute: One of the most renowned credentialed coaching schools in the industry. coactive.com

  • True Purpose™ facilitation with Tim Kelley of the True Purpose Institute knowyourpurpose.com

  • Non-violent communication: Specific techniques for communicating our wants and needs responsibly and clearly. This method teaches how to engage disagreement and conflict resolution in a collaborative, respectful way that produces a positive, sustainable outcome. cnvc.org

  • Shadow Work® facilitation: Powerful, effective techniques to access and compassionately manage the parts of us that have been pushed into "shadow", often because of feeling shame. shadowwork.com

Memberships and Affiliations:

  • Jericho Circle Project: Jericho is an organization that offers support to incarcerated men through facilitated circles in which they develop tools to understand their deeper struggles and experience personal growth and change. We are now offering a program that includes support for incarcerated women.

  • Woman Within International & Woman Within Eastern USA: This organization offers connection and support for women through a community experience. They are given tools and processes to connect with their deepest, wisest selves, and are empowered to live daily life authentically and purposefully through retreats, trainings and local groups.

  • Communities for Restorative Justice: This community offers a powerful support process for those affected by crime. It creates an opportunity for the person who caused harm to have a deeper understanding of the impact of the crime. The process includes acceptance of responsibility, along with a plan for accountability based on input by the person who was harmed, resulting in a fuller and more meaningful resolution.

  • Baystate Recovery Services: This organization works with families dealing with addiction and offers a variety of effective services and support.

Personal:

  • I am passionate about how to best access and align all parts of ourselves in order to live more conscious, authentic lives.

  • I have been a participant in and facilitator of process and healing circles for 30 years. Creating and being part of spaces in which people can feel both safe and courageous, continues to be an experience that I consider one of the most meaningful in my life.

  • I am a lover of: lifelong learning, particularly in the social justice space, time honored cultural rituals and gathering in community with others to share an experience or common purpose.

News and Articles

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“Are you an early riser? Debra Hickok, the life coach behind Boston-based Featherstone, gets up before her family...”

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“Those unexpected, practical kindnesses took the weight off my shoulders and became a source of healing…”