My Holistic Journey

From an early age, I was captivated by holistic healing and contemplative practices. In my hometown, the local health food store, "Old Healthy’s," became my frequent haunt once I could venture there alone. Even as a young soul, I found solace in the gentle movements of yoga through the PBS show "Lilias, Yoga and You" on our family's trusty black and white TV. The seeds of my passion were planted.

As I progressed through school, I was fortunate to find mentors in some of my high school teachers and extended family who introduced me to a world beyond conventional approaches. They guided me into exploring realms like hypnosis, massage, and various holistic healing techniques. Looking back, a childhood friend recently shared her lack of surprise at my chosen path.

However, adulthood brought its own set of health challenges. Through these trials, I delved even deeper into mindfulness and its transformative effects on overall well-being. Guided meditations by Jon Kabat-Zinn became a cornerstone of my personal evolution, propelling me towards advanced training and ultimately, the role of an MBSR instructor. Concurrently, hypnosis emerged as a powerful tool, aiding me in conquering formidable health issues that had resisted other forms of healing.

In 1995, I co-founded the Davis Holistic Health Center, a pioneer in providing integrative health services to Davis, CA, and the surrounding region for two fruitful decades. This venture set the stage for the wave of large health organizations embracing integrative health in the years that followed.

Through this journey, I discovered my profound joy in guiding individuals along their own arcs of transformation and healing. Starting in 2003, the eight-week MBSR program and the blended approach of hypnotherapy and coaching have become my go-to methods. They allow me to assist people not only with acute challenges but also in navigating the intricate path of sustained behavior change.

In the present day, my passion for holistic healing and mindful living continues to be at the forefront of my pursuits. When people ask about my interests outside of my work, I often find myself smiling. It's an echo of my early curiosities—now evolved and refined. Beyond my professional life, I delve into artistic photography and collage, find comfort in knitting, and strum away at my guitar, albeit with a dash of delightful incompetence.