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As a child and young adult, there was a lot of chaos in my home. I felt anxious about finding and following rules in order to survive and find my worth. I used to pass out regularly and dealt with cystic acne, my body sending me strong messages about internalized stress. The one place I thrived and felt safe was in a classroom, so I never left (haha). I started teaching college writing before I even finished graduate school.
Despite falling into unhealthy coping mechanisms, I have always felt a strong thread of serenity and called to more. Sometimes the answers were just under my nose, waiting for the right moment. In high school, my quote for the yearbook was “Wherever You Go, There You Are.” I had no idea who Jon Kabat-Zinn was or that years later I would be taking meditation classes from him in Big Sur, which would lead to a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat that paved the way for me to become a certified Meditation Teacher and Breathwork Practitioner on my journey to heal.
Writing has been a vehicle for me to find creative expression and a 30 year career teaching. However, the Gateless Writing Method, founded by Suzanne Kingsbury, has made magic happen on the page and in my body.
I was so excited about this process, that I completed the Gateless Academy, a nine month writing intensive. And I became certified teacher of the Gateless Writing Method. Clients I work with love this method and have used it to begin their writing journeys.
As a parent of two very different autistic sons (ages 10 and 24), I have learned that the best gift I can give my kids is to continuously heal and work on my own emotional and physical regulation.
On this path, my parenting methods have been upturned and replaced with a process that aligns with my values and healing. Instead of punishment, I model. Instead of consequences, I attune. Instead of time-outs, I co-regulate. Do I miss the mark regularly? Yes. But, each day I renew my commitment to end intergenerational trauma that I experienced.
Seeing my kids thrive in Costa Rica, led me to create Tranquilo, a Costa Rica Retreat for Neurodiverse Families.
Maybe you’re like me and have tried talk therapy, yoga classes or nightly glass of wine, and they have worked temporarily to some degree. Yet, you are still stuck in old patterns, want to feel more connected and find equilibrium between your mind, body, and spirit. I can guide you in parenting, deep self care, and writing to heal and thrive.
For years I have mentored men and women who are in the midst of crisis or major challenges in their personal life, writing or parenting, to accept themselves, process the pain, find their healing path and attain their goals. My approach is to hold space as a compassionate guide and non-judgemental support and to help you use proven tools like meditation, breathwork, Gateless writing, and somatic exercises on your path towards healing.
I met Kimberly while still living in my childhood home filled with chaos, trauma and unhealthy relationships. She provided a safe space for me to share my stories and process my emotions. She has guided and supported me while shifting my focus from my family’s needs (single parent household, sibling with renal failure, sibling with alcoholism) to my own needs and values in order to heal.
Not Far from the Tree felt precisely tailored for me. Autism, trauma, and motherhood are three topics that I have thought about constantly in the four years since my son’s birth. It was a privilege to meet other moms with kids who face the same sort of daily challenges, and it was wonderful to learn some skills (i.e. writing, breathing, and ritual making) to help in moments of tension. I can’t say enough good things about Kimberly. She’s a stunning writer, a beautiful human, and a caring instructor.
I am celebrating Kimberly’s great energy, positive vibes, active listening skills and guiding me through the sessions. She has the ability to make me feel safe to process emotions during breathwork, and I love her specially crafted playlists.
As a meditation student and teacher, I find benefit in many types of mindfulness practices. Here are some of my meditations. My husband Michael produce them and wrote the background music. Check out my page on Insight Timer.
And, for my extended posts and essays on all things healing, parenting, nature, writing and mindfulness, check out my Substack.
