My Story

I can relate to unexpected losses. I had no idea I would be a single mother raising three boys on my own. I do share custody with their father, but who wants to only have their children half time, 50% of the year … ? I keep doing my best to make the most out of it. It’s working. My sons are caring, fun-loving individuals that I enjoy spending time with. More good news is that the life I lead now, is entirely resonating with WHO I AM. I feel so incredibly fortunate. I couldn't say that about myself before my divorce.

My biggest issue was moving up and out of  the trauma that unfolded at that time. I had felt like such a victim. I had so much grief and anger. Somehow, I also had some awareness that it was going to be a huge learning curve for me. I knew I would help others with what I learned some day. I wanted so badly to move into an empowered way of being. In other words, pivoting off of "WHY me??!!" to "Ok, How can I make this work FOR me?"

Hindsight served me well: My ex husband actually became one of my best teachers, because I figured out how to transform the betrayal and how to use it to empower myself. Now, I can confidently say, " I could not have been the woman I am now, had I stayed in that relationship. " The culmination of my experiences and the wisdom gained, resulted in a book I self-published: "12 Spiritual Truths for Starting Over." I wanted to make something good out of what happened by offering help to others.

So you see it IS possible to flip terrible, traumatic experiences. I empower my clients. I teach them these skills and my guidance provides a path to healing. I look forward to watching you bloom into your most empowered self!

---

My Experience 

• I graduated from Cal Poly State University in 1991 with a Bachelors in Human Development, concentration in Applied Psychology. Counseling internships at Hospice, the Women's Shelter and Klein Bottle Youth programs.
• I graduated from Antioch University in Santa Barbara in 1993 with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology. 
• I became licensed in Denver Colorado in 1997 as a Licensed Professional Counselor (L. P. C.) I counseled families, children, and struggling single mothers on welfare in transitional housing. Empowering women was central.
• I started raising my family and put my career in Psychology on hold in 1998. 
• After my divorce, I picked up where I left off in 2007, and began teaching Psychology for the University of Phoenix.
• I started my own Life Coaching practice in 2008.
• I self-published my book in 2014.
• In 2014, I was given my spirit name: Water Dove Hawk during a ceremony in the Chumash tradition. The Grandmother told me that I have all thee essences (water, dove and hawk), and they are each equally important. From that day forward I strive to embody this name.
• I began leading silent mediation group hikes in 2017. 
• Traveling to sacred sites and connecting to the land became important to me in 2017. I bring that wisdom into our sessions.
• August, 2020, my spiritual practice went a step deeper and I was initiated into the Sufi order and granted a Murshed/Guide, Gayan Gregory Long. He gave me my sufi name: Rafia. It means exhalter.
•  In 2021, we began working on turning my book into an Audible version. It is narrated by the fabulous Rachel Fredrickson.
• In 2022, I became certified as an Energetic Practitioner of Aleya Dao's, Seven Cups of Consciousness. I am not featured on her platform/website for these coaching sessions using my connection to the nature realms via Zoom. 
  

---

I share pictures of my travels here, because they have enriched my soul's journey so much. Each place I traveled to had a purpose: to seek out sacred lands. Here are a few; Sedona, Islands off Maine, Jamaican ruins, Assisi, Rome, Paris (Chartes and Notre Dame Cathedrals), Cathar castles in the Languedoc region of Southern France, a pilgrimage to Mary's cave at Maxime Saint de Baume, and natural hot springs in Tuscany. Does it get any better than this? I intend to keep living my life to the fullest. And one day not to far off in the future, I will lead retreats to one of these amazing areas.

Port Royal, Jamaica

Sedona, Arizona

I took my sons on a road trip to see the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone park in 2017. Three nights we slept in a teepee.

Angels' Landing, Zion National Park

Tuscany, Italy

My journey to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (Mary Magdelene's cave) in Southern France.

---

I live on the central coast of California in a funky ole fishing town (now a tourist attraction) where I host two listings for Airbnb. We have a sacred rock on our coastline that used to be a volcano and part of "The Seven Sisters" - land whose ancestors include the Salinian and Chumash nations.
My two teenage boys are at home and attending high school. My oldest son is a professional ballet dancer in Portland Oregon.
I participate in Dances for Universal Peace and I love attending ecstatic dance. I take good care of myself with a rigorous self-care routine that includes hiking, yoga, meditation, gym workouts, and eating clean foods. Music and Nature is my therapy! 
I like to think of myself as a guide/facilitator, teacher, nature/animal lover, wisdom seeker, heart opener, body temple, music lover, way shower, yogi, entrepreneur, shaman in training, dancer, writer, traveler, and most importantly - a mindful mother of three sons. I have been devoted to my spiritual path and personal growth since I turned 19 years old, when I attended my first meditation class/training. 
​Teachers I've studied and in-person training have included the following; Clarissa Pinkola-Estes, Michael Tamura, Ganga White, Dee Wallace, Jennifer McClean, Sandra Ingerman, Jane Burns, Shabda Kahn, Gayan Gregory Long, Jean Houston, Judith Orloff, Jean Shinoda-Bolen, Denise Linn, and Joan Borysenko, Carolyn Myss, and Aleya Dao.

---

---

To receive regular insights and get to know me better, you can follow me on Facebook @http://facebook.com/anewleaf4u
​and Instagram @trailcoach28.