Meet Katie, an iPEC Certified Coach

Life's journey is rarely straightforward. We all encounter periods of intense challenge, and during these times, seeking support from those who understand and have navigated similar paths is invaluable. My own journey has been anything but easy, a winding road marked by both setbacks and triumphs.

As a teenager and young adult, I felt unseen and unheard, fostering a deeply ingrained negative self-narrative. This internal struggle compounded the trauma of a severely abusive relationship, a chapter of my life I eventually escaped, securing a better future for my son and myself. The joy of achieving my BA was overshadowed by the onset of postpartum psychosis after the birth of my second child. Balancing motherhood, my career path, and mental health challenges felt insurmountable. We often present a façade of stability to the outside world, masking the inner turmoil. Finding the right medication, a process often lengthy and frustrating, added another layer of complexity.

The years between my second son and the arrival of my twin daughters were incredibly tumultuous. Our family unit fractured, each member grappling with individual struggles. The twins' birth was followed by a period of intense crisis, culminating in an involuntary prescription of a black-box-warning antidepressant, a decision made without my informed consent. This medication profoundly impacted my health, personality, and family dynamics.

However, this difficult period proved to be a catalyst for change. I eventually managed to discontinue the medication, found a better treatment plan, and embarked on a true healing journey in 2018. This wasn't a quick fix; it required deep, sustained work to fully process my trauma. Therapy provided an essential foundation, but I needed more – a tool to move beyond understanding my past and actively shape my future.

In 2020, coaching became transformative. The process of being coached, and subsequently learning to coach others, proved to be the missing piece. Therapy is crucial for processing complex pain, but coaching offers a powerful "next step" – a way to rewire negative thought patterns, build resilience, and cultivate a more positive outlook. It demanded confronting the pain I had inflicted on others, not dwelling on the "why" but focusing on how I could make amends.

Today, my husband and our four children have healed and found bonds with one and other – a testament to the work I've undertaken. Our relationships are strong, loving, and deeply connected. This healing wasn't merely a personal journey; it fundamentally reshaped our family dynamic. Coaching, in particular, facilitated self-acceptance and self-love – the essential tools to mend and strengthen my relationships. The power lies in normalizing the challenges we face, personal ownership that we as human beings will still have moments of internal struggle, recognizing that these experiences are universal, and empowering ourselves to make conscious choices moving forward. 

Therapy processed the past, and coaching changed the future! 

What would you like to work on today?