Susan's One-Minute Biography

My work combines my training in the tradition of contemplative inquiry with my calling as a teacher. I’ve studied peacemaking my whole life, and I’ve come to realize that peace begins within.

As a public school teacher, I explored peacemaking while teaching writing, literature, psychology, and archetypal mythology. When my two children were young, I studied conflict resolution theory to understand my personal parenting challenges. Drawing on my experience in the trenches and current research, I co-authored a nationally recognized book and traveled the country teaching peacemaking classes to parents, educators, and counselors.

In the meantime, I found myself facing serious life challenges, including losing family members to suicide, addiction, and critical injury. The cumulative effect of these crises was to deepen my spiritual practice and motivate me to help others navigate through life’s difficult passages. I became certified as an Interfaith spiritual director, trained with Hospice and served as a bereavement volunteer.

For the last few years I’ve incorporated meditative inquiry and The Work of Byron Katie in my practice. I have studied with Katie for five years, and I was one of the first practitioners to be formally trained and certified by her. I’m currently a Certified Facilitator and Trainer with The Institute for The Work.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and I am a Certified Master Coach and Instructor with Dr. Martha Beck. Her approach to life coaching combines solid research in neuropsychology, adult learning, mysticism, and humor. I currently serve on the faculty of the Licensed Certification Training program for Martha Beck, Inc.

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