Self-Care Coaching

Are You Used to Feeling Like Everyone Else’s Needs Come First?

Are you amazing at solving problems and fixing everyone else’s issues but feel too depleted to focus on yourself? Were you raised to believe “to whom much is given, much is required,” so you strive to give 200 percent to everything that you do?  Do you feel that taking time for yourself is a luxury you just don’t have time for?  Perhaps, you feel uncomfortable setting personal boundaries or establishing healthy limits in relationships. In addition to family obligations and high-stress work environment or professional training, do you add to an already busy schedule volunteering in your community or holding a second job? It may be that you enjoy being busy and feel a duty to serve your family and community, but lately you have been feeling rundown, exhausted or increasingly tense. Do you wish you could understand why you feel stressed, on edge or upset and learn how to foster a sense of fulfillment and wellbeing in your life? 

Many People Struggle to Take Time for Themselves

It is easy to become so focused on planning and execution of tasks or working to attain superwoman/man status than prioritizing your own self-care is a foreign, perhaps even subversive, concept.  When you add the fast pace of everyday life, particularly in cities like New York, there isn’t much time for self-reflection and self-care.  We’ve been busy creating movements, climbing corporate ladders and shattering glass ceilings. We may be weary from racial trauma and a barrage of microaggressions. Let’s face it, most people are not taught the value of self-care and, to be honest, for many of us self-care has been a luxury reserved for others.  For many, self-care seems “selfish” which flies in the face of your upbringing. Pressing professional or family issues may need immediate attention, and it always feels like there will be time to spend on your personal wellbeing later. 

Or, maybe you learned growing up to value career, relationships and commitment to others over personal health and wellbeing. You may have a sense that you need to meet certain standards in order to succeed, but trying to satisfy others and putting yourself last can limit you from attaining the personal success that you seek.

Fortunately, there is help and hope. Self-care coaching can give you the guidance, support and skills you need to foster greater health, happiness and deepen your relationship with yourself and with those in your life.

Learn How to Care for Yourself—and Others—with Self-Care Coaching

Caring for yourself is an integral part of reducing and resolving stress and discomfort in your life. I foster a safe, supportive environment where you can feel both vulnerable and empowered as you explore and challenge negative self-thoughts, unhealthy behavior and limiting self-beliefs. You can recognize when thoughts or behaviors are getting in your way and learn to gently confront them and let them go. 

I tailor my approach to best support and address your unique needs and values, as well as help you develop tools and techniques to achieve your personal, professional and relationship goals. By taking time to understand your experience, you can learn to tune into your emotions and bodily sensations. You can recognize when you are feeling stressed and take steps to find relief before that stress can affect your productivity, mood or relationships.

I take an active, solution-oriented approach to self-care and personal development coaching, and our primary focus will be on identifying what’s blocking you and developing incremental steps to help you move forward. Stress, diet and exercise play an important role in how you feel physically and emotionally, and we will work together in a collaborative relationship to find a solution that is right for you. Like a mentor or trainer, I can help you reflect on your choices and learn practical tools and exercises that can help you reach your personal, professional and relationship goals. By introducing just one new practice tailored just for your needs into your life, such as breathing exercises, mindfulness or journaling, you can find relief, healing and personal growth.

I have been working with women from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds for 20 years. I have seen the power of self-care in both my personal and professional life, and I am committed to helping other women foster a sense of fulfillment in their life and relationships. In addition to feeling more satisfied and connected in your own life, engaging in self-care practices produces a ripple effect in families and communities. Healthy modeling of self-care teaches our girls how to value themselves and our boys how to understand, treat and value women. With personal development and health coaching, you can foster greater overall health and wellbeing for yourself and the people you care about.

You may be interested in working with a self-care coach, but still have questions or concerns…

I don’t have the time or energy to change my whole routine.

It is possible to create lasting change in your life by taking small, incremental steps. I work with you to identify and incorporate small changes you can begin to make that fit your schedule or routine. And, over time, these changes will allow you to get to the heart of why you are struggling and create meaningful and lasting change in your life.

I’ve heard meeting with a personal or career coach is expensive. Is it really worth the cost?

Like going to the doctor or gym, meeting with a self-care coach is an investment in your health, happiness and wellbeing. Instead of spending money on temporary distractions, such as shopping, grabbing a drink or stress eating, you can directly explore and address feelings of distress before they build into a more expensive medical or mental health issue. Not only can you learn the skills you need to feel healthy, happy and empowered, but you can teach those skills to people you love so they can improve their lives, too.

Things aren’t really that bad, and nothing’s going to change anyway…

If you saw that a loved one was suffering, even if they told you, “It’s not that bad,” you would want to help that person find relief, help and hope. Let me be for you what you are for the people you care for in your life: a source of comfort, guidance and support.
You Can Feel Healthy, Happy and Empowered

If you are ready to begin working toward personal healing and growth, or if you have additional questions about self-care coaching in New York City, I invite you to call me at (516) 647-1712 or use my online calendar to schedule a free, 15-minute phone consultation.

You can also learn more about self-care, stress management, work-life balance and other related issues in my blog.

TESTIMONIAL

"Dr. Brathwaite is kindred spirits with leading ladies who tend to the soul & spirit. She asks the right questions. Ones that get to the core of the issue at hand."