Growing up, I faced an enormous amount of change with very little support from my family. I learned a lot along the way about how to navigate change in productive ways. But facing it alone was deeply painful.

I am a coach because I want to offer others the support I never had. Nobody should have to face life alone.

Our session will be

  • Relational

    Trauma is about disconnection. We grow and heal in community, so when that is denied—for whatever reason—we often become stuck. Learning to trust again is a vital part of healing. In our sessions, I will engage with curiosity and compassion, not judgement.

  • Client-Led

    Loss of control is a major part of trauma. Healing begins with restoring a sense of control and agency. I offer suggestions, questions, and observations, but you get to decide what we talk about and what is valuable for you.

  • Playful

    Change and growth require space to experiment and explore. Play is one of the most powerful tools we have for doing this. In our sessions, I invite you to expand your curiosity and creativity.

I am a
Trauma Recovery Coach

During Covid, I spent a lot of time supporting people, and was reminded how much I love doing that. Through a friend, I found the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching and completed training and certification. The process reminded me that I have been listening to and supporting people since high school. I know what it is to feel alone, and I want to do what I can to help others who may be struggling.

I am particularly experienced at navigating change—whether dealing with overwhelming (and normal) feelings of anxiety, fear, depression or anger, or trying to figure out what exactly comes next.

Some of My Specializations

Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD includes a variety of survival responses developed in the absence of support and connection when we are overwhelmed. Those adaptations are highly functional when we are isolated, but often hinder our healing because they depend on disconnecting from ourselves and others. Grief is often a central component of cPTSD, but that may be masked by anger, numbness, impulsive behaviour and/or high performance.

Childhood Emotional Neglect

Children need emotional support and validation from their caretakers in order to learn to trust the world and themselves. Unfortunately, many parents are unable to provide this, for various reasons. This can happen alongside other forms of abuse and neglect, but it can also happen in a home where physical needs are attended to. Without this support, we struggle to know ourselves and find a place in the world.

Seventh-day Adventists (Current and Former)

Seventh-day Adventism promotes a wholistic approach to health which provides a valuable foundation for healing. However, it often tends towards fundamentalism, which can lead to religious trauma. Because it is a tightly connected community, leaving can be devastating.
I was raised Adventist and studied to be a pastor, but my relationship to the church is complicated. I value the experiences I had growing up, but I struggle to reconcile that with the exclusivity, emotional immaturity and controlling behaviour common in the church. Wherever your journey leads you, I am familiar with the complexity of being Adventist—especially as the child of a church employee.

Religious/Cultural Trauma

Religion and culture provide powerful resources for facing the demands of life. Unfortunately, they are sometimes used to coerce and control behaviour and thought, rather than to cultivate confidence, curiosity and compassion. When that community forms a central part of your life and identity, it can be difficult to leave. Those who do may face profound isolation and struggle to adapt to the world “outside.”

Adult Third Culture Kids

Third Culture Kids experience displacement and isolation as their parents move for work or other reasons. Conventionally, these are missionary, military or business kids, but they can also be the children of immigrants. They don’t belong to their parents culture or the local culture. Survival may require adapting between various contexts, which can leave them wondering who they are. As well, they may struggle with unresolved grief as their parents are often too busy to attend to their emotions around transition.

Academic Overachievers

Excelling at school often brings a different kind of isolation—especially when you are dealing with trauma. Being a “good” student can mean being ignored by teachers and bullied by peers. It is often assumed you are “okay,” when that may be far from the truth. For many overachievers, anything less than perfection may bring abuse at home. At the same time, there is often less support because “they’ll figure it out.” Self-reliance can easily turn into alienation and deep loneliness. And success at school doesn’t necessarily mean success at life, leaving some overachievers struggling to find meaning and purpose once school ends.

If you don’t see yourself in this list, that’s okay. I coach people from all backgrounds and walks of life. If you have questions, please, contact me for a free consultation.

I look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and accompanying you on your journey.

You are not alone.

Testimonials

  • David is an incredible coach! Working with him led me to making several discoveries about how my past trauma was affecting my current life. David has a gentle demeanor that creates a safe space, and he also is gently direct in bringing things to light. Our sessions were filled with both laughter and tears, and were very enjoyable and educational. David is very skilled at Trauma Recovery Coaching, and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking healing and personal growth.

    -Annie M - Seattle, WA

  • Coaching with David has been a great experience. With his grounded and steady presence I felt safe to share and explore without judgement. He is wise and insightful and I so appreciate our work together.

    -Dee

  • With David's guidance and advice, I was able to open up more than ever before and understand why I think and act the way I do. This allowed me to feel so much more comfortable in my own skin and start living the life I want rather than what my parents had wanted. By talking through past situations, I became better able to understand them and connect with them on a deeper level. I became more comfortable with setting boundaries and being honest about my true feelings. This is by far the best experience with coaching I've ever had.

    -Kaye