Peaceful Cove Coaching
Imagine yourself in a quiet, relaxing cove. Beautiful nature surrounds you. Peaceful streams, light breezes and gentle sunbeams shine on your path.
Welcome
Come as you are, and let's envision your future in a nurturing space. Here, I will provide a gentle and calming presence to accompany you on your journey to your best and authentic self.
I'm passionate about your dreams--even the smallest ones.
I can help
You want to change your habits
You try to change, but the changes don't stick. The same patterns keep repeating. Maybe you need an accountability partner or help identifying your values.
You want to feel at peace
Perhaps you're in pain. You struggle with acceptance or a decision. Maybe there's something you're pushing away that needs attention. The answer is within you, but you can't quite access it on your own.
You want to be less reactive
Maybe you're stuck in a cycle, need support with boundaries or have a relationship conflict and need peaceful communication tools.
Wellness tools to support you on your journey
Customized to your needs
Explore a range of methods to support your journey. You're in charge of your sessions and what's right for you. For some, it's support in maintaining post traumatic growth, for others it's one issue that needs laser-focused attention. Together, we'll match your coaching needs with the tools that work for you.
Meditation
The practice of meditation has numerous benefits. I take an informal approach and believe in making it accessible and unpretentious. Meditation can be look like anything from a simple five minute practice to an hour long, guided imagery experience.
Rest
Many of us tie our value to our productivity and don't take the time for self care or to replenish ourselves. Sometimes, we need to schedule time for rest so that we can show up as our best selves. It can be exhausting living in our masks.
Nature
Nature is all around us, but too many of us are disconnected from our natural existence. Reconnecting with nature can help us with grounding and look like a gentle walk or exercising outdoors, spending a few minutes gazing at stars or going all in with an immersive forest bathing experience.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is all about slowing down and being in the present. This can be meditative or look like something simple, like naming what we're grateful for or noticing the small details of a task or experience.
Art & Creativity
Self expression by accessing a creative outlet can take an endless number of forms and be beneficial to our journeys. For many, it may include processing our thoughts and experiences with journaling in addition to arts, crafts, music and more. For some, creativity may be something abstract or intensely personal.
Community
Author bell hooks stated: “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.” I can't agree more. It's a group effort, so continually strengthening your network of healthy relationships can be an important part of your journey.
Potential Benefits of Trauma-informed Life Coaching
Personal Growth
Growth takes dedication and courage. You may be someone who doesn't need therapy but you just need a little extra support on your journey. For others, you've completed therapy and dealt with your past, and now you want to keep growing. Life coaching guides you in your present and future growth.
Clarity of Purpose
Sometimes we're so caught up in life that we don't know who we are or where we're headed. We're just trudging along putting one foot in front of the other. Instead, with deeper exploration, we can make the decisions and set the goals that align with our true purpose. This clarity of who we are and are meant to be, leads to authenticity.
Lasting Change
Sometimes it may feel like change is too slow, but with each incremental step, you're closer to your desired outcomes. Changes happens one step at a time and on your schedule. For many people, it looks like this: you're grinding through the day-to-day, but then you stop or pause, take a breath, and turn to look behind you... and that's when it hits you all at once. You then feel amazement and gratitude when you see how far you've come.
Authenticity
Becoming your authentic self can mean living a life you can embrace. Often in this state, you are at peace and life's day-to-day frustrations are manageable. You know who you are and you show up as the person you want to be. You're consistent and content.
"Isha is a phenomenal life coach. She's patient, kind and actively listens. She never comes from a biased point of view. She's great at holding you accountable to your goals. Her guidance has really helped me grow and find myself since meeting with her weekly.
--Tierney, TX
What You'll Experience in a Session
I offer individuals a calming presence, peaceful communication and genuine authenticity to create a safe, welcoming space where we can tackle the tough questions that lead to growth and lasting change.
Calming Presence
As we journey together, you'll experience my quiet and contemplative style, and you'll gain confidence to be challenged and challenge yourself. That's where the growth happens.
Peaceful Communication
Our communication is another key for your growth. I will listen for your needs and encourage you to express them. As a careful student of peaceful communication, I will model & guide you with a trauma-informed lens.
Genuine Caring
Author James Baldwin said it best, and his words set the bar high and inspire me: “The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love--whether we call it friendship or family or romance--is the work of mirroring each other's light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when shame and sorrow occlude our own light from view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.”
Framework:
Engage
Partner
Focus
Evoke
Plan
Follow-up
What is trauma-informed life coaching?
How is it different from therapy?
Being trauma informed means being aware of the potential effects of past trauma that may show up in the present. Unlike a therapist, I can't provide treatment for healing past trauma. Instead, I provide life coaching that specializes in support for those who have dealt with past trauma.
For example, this looks like giving you autonomy of your sessions, lots of choices & options and noticing somatic discomfort you may encounter. It means you are given the space to take the time you need.
There are no high pressure sales pitches here and no requirement for locked in coaching packages that may make you feel trapped.
Life coaching is not a replacement for therapy. It can be a stand-alone tool for those who don't need therapy, or it can be a great transitional tool as you leave therapy to move forward toward planning your future.
Additionally, coaching can be simultaneous with therapy as a supplementary tool to work toward goals as determined by you and your therapist.
I'm here to support you.
About Me
The Nkyinkyin symbolizes the twists and turns a person must take to adapt to the challenges in their life's journey. This African Adinkra symbol illustrates the resilience and strength of those who do the hard work of change, and in coaching, represents your growth.
Healing Journey
My greatest expertise comes from my own journey with depression, anxiety and complex PTSD. On this journey, I experienced therapeutic models such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Integration Training. Additionally, the concepts in and practice of Non-violent Communication, Afro-Surrealism, Mindfulness and Meditation greatly enhanced my healing.
The Fihankra or Fi-hankare symbolizes a safe and secure compound. It depicts four sides representing four houses of family with a courtyard in the middle. This African Adinkra symbol signifies protection and security in Akan society and represents what we create in the coaching relationship.
Personal Life
In my spare time, you'll most often find me in my garden, or out & about at a book store, coffee shop, hiking a mountain or forest bathing. I love laughing, creating art and wading below waterfalls. As an introvert, I'm serious about enjoying time alone to recharge, and I'm happiest when I'm learning and growing. I'm married to my partner of over twenty eight years, and we have two children.
Isha Abbott
Education
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M.S. English Education, University of Tennessee
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B.A. English: Technical Communication, minor Women's Studies, University of Tennessee
Training & Development
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Certified Trauma-Informed Coach, Moving the Human Spirit
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Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, TDMHSAS
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Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator
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LiberTEA Collective Civic Leadership, The Equity Alliance
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Meditation Practitioner & Teacher
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Emotional CPR
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Mindfulness Coaching
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Somatic Healing Coach
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Adult Mental Health First Aid
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International Coaching Federation member:
Additional Resources
Below is a small sampling of additional resources that inform my work.
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
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Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors by Carolyn Finney, PhD
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The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments by Hadley Vlahos, RN
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Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
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The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture by Gabor Maté, MD
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Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston
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For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington
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How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease by Michael Greger, MD
How to Schedule
In your free consultation, we'll look over your goals for coaching and discover if we are a good fit. I'm available for any questions you have before, during and after the consultation. There is no obligation.
