Brenda Heideman is a forty-something woman with A LOT “going on” in her life. After 15+ years of marriage, Brenda filed for a divorce and reinvented herself. She established and now runs a successful and thriving psychotherapy practice, recently became a certified yoga instructor, and, in her spare time, finds herself eager to get out and explore the new city to which she recently moved.
Brenda first approached me about coaching because she wanted to regain a sense of balance in her robust, busy, “new” life she created for herself.
Before I came to coaching, I felt absolutely overwhelmed with the pace of life. There were so many good things happening in my life, but I was too depleted and stressed out to actually enjoy any of them. I met Chariti and was immediately drawn to her positive energy and quick wit. Also, I had heard of how helpful she had been to many other women and so I figured she could help me as well. I wanted practical solutions that were easy and doable to employ immediately.
When Brenda and I first began working together, it was readily apparent that part of Brenda’s challenge was reining in that BIG heart of hers so that she was honoring, loving, and caring for herself and her own needs, instead of always putting the needs of others first. So, we quickly got to work, figuring out what Brenda needed MOST in order to get herself “back in alignment” so she could continue to serve others in the way she wanted to and knew how without depleting herself.
Coaching with Chariti gave me the tools I need to be successful in my business and personal life. She helped me to line up my “feeling goals” with my “doing goals.” I think it will be an ongoing challenge for me, but Chariti helped me to see how I can slow down and live in a more grounded way. I can easily get swept up in the abundance of life, to the point where I can feel quite overwhelmed and depleted by it all. Chariti helped me to feel in my bones that there really is no race, no reason to rush…that I truly live my best life by consistently saying NO to things that are not truly HELL YES’s! What a way to live!
As a psychotherapist, Brenda was a bit uncertain at first about how her relationship with a professional life coach might unfold. But, in true Brenda style, she came to each session with a beginner’s mind and an open heart. Together, we created some absolute magic together that changed Brenda’s life FOR THE BETTER.
Chariti deepened my knowledge and appreciation for the art and science of successful coaching. She helped bridge a professional gap (as a Psychotherapist) that is sometimes fraught with fear and ignorance. Psychotherapists and coaches are very similar, but we are also very different. My work with Chariti helped me to better understand the value and role of effective coaching for my clients and myself. My work with her also helped me to run my business in a way that is more consistent with my core values and beliefs.
When I asked Brenda whom she would recommend to get involved with coaching with me, she simply replied:
I would recommend you to anyone who is seeking positive support, practical guidance, and assistance in developing systems of organization, all while having some jolly good laughs along the way!
Thank you, Brenda, for your willingness to “take a chance on me,” to stay curious about coaching and all it can offer, and to be OPEN to creating the life that works for you, even in the face of challenging circumstances. You are an amazingly brave, smart, and wise-minded woman. I feel so blessed to have worked with you!
xoxox,
