Hi, I'm Erika!
I'm so happy you're here! First and very foremost, I am a friend. I am your friend! You know how they say "It's so hard to make new friends over the age of [insert arbitrary age here]."? Well, I don't believe that's true!
Some of my deepest, most vulnerable, and most authentic friendships to date came into my life after 35 once I started making big changes, deepening my relationship with myself, and learning to clear away all of my own clouds that were covering my true colors.
Now I'm over 40 and continuing to move away the clouds and form deep and meaningful friendships!
Speaking of Relationship...
Certifications and degrees and professional development and courses and trainings are important (and I'm happy to share mine with you!), but what I have always valued in any coach, therapist, or healer I'm working with more than their background, or how good they look on paper, is our relationship.
It's how well we click. Do they see me? Are they present? Are they actively listening? Are they empathetic? Are they asking me questions that help me dive deeper into myself rather than just telling me what I should do?
Empathy, honesty, curiosity, gratitude, perspective, teamwork, love...These are the values I seek to embody as your Professional Best Friend and Inspirational Joy Coach.
My Meta Programs!
For those of you into allllll the Meta Programs, here's a list of a few of mine!
Astrology: Aries Sun(12H), Aquarius Moon(12H), Aries ASC, Pisces Mercury(12H), Aquarius Venus(11H), Libra Mars(7H), Libra Saturn (7H), Libra Pluto(7H), Cancer North Node(4H), Capricorn MC
Human Design: 4/6 Sacral Generator, RAX Vessel of Love(25/46 | 10/15); Valleys environment, Nervous digestion, Touch cognition!
MBTI: ENFP to the max baby!
My VAKOG Representational System: Primary is Kinesthetic! Visual and Auditory are a close 2nd (both high) and Auditory Digital is pretty low. So I'm looking for people with high Auditory Digital to collaborate!
Me on Paper:
I have been working in the fields of Coaching and Education since 2000. Before moving into predominantly education in 2007, I worked as a gymnastics coach and fitness trainer for both children and adults for several years. I received my B.S. in Exercise Science & Psychology through Truman State University in 2005, became AMI Montessori trained and certified in 2012, and earned my Masters in Education from Loyola University of Maryland in 2014.
I am a Certified Professional Coach, receiving my coaching certification through ISTOK, an ICF qualified coaching program. I am a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and as of summer 2024, I am a certified Master NLP Practitioner, Practitioner of Time-Line Therapy, and Hypnotherapist, something I'm so excited about diving more into!
I have worked in several coaching and education environments and industries including: gymnastics, health & wellness, fitness, lifestyle, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, PBL, play-based, and ESL. I have both coached and taught in the US, South Korea, and China. In 2023 I decided to take a step back from my long career in Education to pursue Professional Coaching on a more full-time basis.
Certified Professional Coach (ISTOK ICF)
Certified Practitioner of Hypnotherapy
Certified Master NLP Practitioner
Certified Master Practitioner of Timeline Therapy
Certified Master NLP Coach
Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
Akashic Records Channeler
Health & Fitness Coach
B.S. Exercise Science + Psychology
M.Ed. Montessori Education
What I am NOT
I am NOT a licensed Therapist, Psychotherapist, or Counselor. I am trained to recognize when someone is in need of more intensive mental wellness care. If I suspect a client to be in need of licensed therapy or medical doctors, I will advise and refer accordingly.
