About Barbra

COACH:  PARENT - GRANDPARENT - ADULT CHILD 

PRESENTER / SPEAKER / GROUP FACILITATOR 

My commitment is to YOU:

"To reclaim our self-esteem, dignity, and self-respect, and learn essential skills and tools to enable us to more wisely navigate the circumstances of our life."

2019...

Most of us are encouraged to "Follow Our Passion!"

What did I do?  "I Followed My Misery!"

I traveled that road of agony, pain, and despair that comes with the experience of estrangement. 

One day, I turned to my business...social media...and typed "estrangement" in the Facebook search bar. I was shocked and horrified to discover multitudes of pages and groups on the subject with thousands of people in them!

WHAT WAS GOING ON?

I investigated these groups and read heart-breaking, heart-wrenching, stories filled with anguish, grief, suffering, shame, and torment.

I discovered  “When Parents Hurt” by Dr. Joshua Coleman.  

I read every page and filled in every question. 

Next, I checked out Josh  on Facebook...officially my happiest day, because his page was not up to date. After an email, a zoom, and a proposal, my new life began.

It's been my joy and unique privilege to work  with Josh for many years, to be trained in his philosophy, and certified by him as a  Coach for Estranged Parents / Grandparents.

It isn’t easy to unlearn deeply engrained habits and shift to healthier and wiser ways of thinking.. 

It isn’t easy to trade judging for observing, or change words from “you should” to "I feel." 

It isn’t easy to take a deep breath... instead of reacting when provoked, or not giving in to blaming and explaining.

For me,  LEARNING is the light in my tunnel.

How fortunate for those who grew up with healthy role-modeling in key areas like coping mechanisms, boundaries, emotional regulation, a values system, and good communication!

"We cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the the wind. 

But now we can take personal responsibility and action to  become who we wish."  

For me, inner harmony and wholeness was the  best gift of reconciliation journey.

WATCH MY "DEEP DIVE INTO THE FIVE MOST COMMON MISTAKES OF ESTRANGED PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS" HERE.

A LITTLE MORE ~

My past professional experience includes assistant principal of a private elementary school, director of two international English language institutes, Human Resource Manager, owner of an independent, boutique staffing company, and social media solopreneur (speaker, trainer, private instruction, and account management).  I have a degree in education, a Core Coaching certificate in Positive Psychology from San Francisco State University, and have studied  somatics,  nonviolent communication, brain retraining...and continue to participate in personal development programs.

I live in Los Gatos, California, and have 3 daughters and seven precious grandchildren.