My story is just that, a story. One that I have the pleasure of stepping out of as often as I can, for it does not define me, nor should it and yet it is relevant. And so I decided to share the facts you need to know about my education and training and a little bit more about who I am as a person. I'd like to give you a sense of who I am, before you hire me as your coach.
On a formal level, I am a writer and life coach. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Masters in Education. I am also certified in Reiki Levels I and II. After ten years of teaching middle school, I decided that my soul was calling me in a different direction. While I loved my students and they loved me, it was never my dream to be a teacher. I felt it was important to honor my truth and I left in 2005 to pursue my dreams.
I am a writer first and foremost, but I believe I am also here to serve others which is what led me to life coaching. I am a ICA certified professional coach. I have also trained in the Shalom Process (www.shalommountain.com).
On a more personal note, I am an outspoken survivor of childhood abuse and created two sites for survivors of abuse in 2006:
My background of abuse and pain, allows me to come from a loving, compassionate, nonjudgmental place. I am willing to go into the dark places with you, if need be. I can also be light, fun and creative as well as hold you accountable to the goals we set together.
My clients are first and foremost human beings looking to create a deeper awareness of themselves and discover their truth. I work with primarily women. I also work with survivors of childhood abuse.
My Coaching Story
How I came to be a life coach and what is a life coach anyway...
This is my coaching story, the story of how one of my callings came to be. I say one, because I have many dreams :) Some I have chosen and some seem to have chosen me.
I was a very wounded child. It was as bad as it could get. And when I awakened to the magnitude of it, I also awakened to the fact that it is part of my why I am here, it is a part of my purpose.
I will never forget the day it hit me... I went through all of what I went through as a child, so that I could help others like me. Oh, dear. Needless to say, I had mixed emotions about it. I had questions. I resented that I had to go through all of that to be something for others. What about me? Why me? I resisted, quite a bit at because well...I have lots of dreams and oh no, how can I just pick one and really, do I have to? That is one pretty huge mission, and oh crap, what if I am not good enough....
And on it went.
It was hard not to listen to those voices and some days they did get the best of me, but something inside me just kept going. Something inside me just kept pushing and moving in the direction of helping other women heal.For a while, I didn't realize that in being there for others, I would do my greatest healing work and as a matter of fact, being a wounded healer would be one of my greatest healing salves.
My wounding gave me a unique perspective, compassion and empathy that was boundless. It also gave me an intuitive edge. I knew when to go slow, when to stop, when to push a little more. It was a gift really born from the days of reading people to survive. I had somehow picked up a sixth sense, an acute awareness of energy.My childhood also gave me an understanding of how wounding manifests in our lives. How we act out our wounding and replay the cycles of childhood and so often forget who we truly are. And so I first created two sites for survivors, My Voice of Truth in which I told my story, with my full name, and pictures of me (that was actually uncommon back then) and shared resources that I myself found helpful. Then, I created a site for survivors to submit letters to their abusers because writing to the nine men who molested me as a child was so freeing, so what I needed at the time. The site is still up today and regularly accepts submissions. I wrote all 364 pages of my memoir. It took me a good four years to write it with many breaks in between, because it was oh so hard to revisit all those painful memories and each time I did, I felt drained, triggered and a little more free. I was told by my editor at the time, that I should become a life coach. She said it would allow me to work on myself too which was awesome and it would lend to my credibility in ultimately publishing my book. Again some resistance, and feeling as if my experience as a survivor wasn't enough and that I needed to do more to prove that I was worthy to write such a book. It took about a year to get past the fear and resistance. Sometimes it takes time.It took another six months to find a program that resonated with me, a place where I fit. I enrolled in ICA and graduated a year and a half later in 2009. At the same I also trained at Shalom Mountain Retreat Center, learning how to do the powerful Shalom Process with others, a process that has literally changed my life. It was there that I was asked to come up with a few sentences that encapsulated what I felt my life was calling me to become.
It came clearly on that last day of our six month training, "I am a safe haven for wounded souls." Me? Yeah, you. It is a pretty big mission and I wondered how I could hold it, be it, live it. How in the world?
A voice within me said, little by little, step by step, one move at a time. Your true self will guide you even when you feel broken inside. Trust the process.
Today, life in its infinite wisdom graces me with women, who say yes, Stephanie, yes, thank you and yes, I feel safe with you, I can trust you and darling that doesn't come easy. And each time I say thank you and take in a breath of gratitude..
My coaching is body centered which basically means that even as you are talking I am asking you to tune into your body. In some sessions we may go deeply into your body. There is great wisdom in our bodies and often the truth can be unlocked when we pay attention to what our bodies are saying.
The body never lies.
I also help clients move through feelings and thought patterns that may be blocking them from what they truly want. I work with women mainly, on issues such as self esteem, self care, love addiction, healing, creative pursuits, transitions such as divorce and break ups all geared toward discovering living their truth.
My sessions are mainly by phone or Skype as well as in person sessions. Sessions often include guided meditations, focusing exercises, brainstorming, goal setting and body centered processes.
As a coach, I focus mostly on the present, helping you find what is next and holding you accountable to the action steps you have created for yourself. I am here to walk alongside you, and to help you find the answers that are already within you.
For the past two years, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work with brave women, willing to make a change, willing to go to their growing edge and come back to the truth of who they are underneath their wounding. To all my current clients you amaze me each and every day.
My rates are $90 per session, and currently the 4 session package special is $300 ($75 a session). Sessions are 50 minutes. Most clients start with a four session package to start since it really gives us an opportunity to find our rhythm as client and coach.
I also currently offer 8 week and 12 week packages. You as the client will decide how long you need my services. Some of my clients have been with me for close to two years.
We begin with a welcome packet and intake form, with some basic questions about what you would like to work on during our time, to be filled out before our first session. Payment for first session or packages are due before our initial session. I also have a sliding scale available used only for those in serious need. There is an additional form to fill out to qualify for my sliding scale. I can be reached at 914-419-8323 or via email at sgagos@aol.com I also run support groups for women in Nyack, NY and will be creating an online community for survivors in the fall.
