MSC Private Coaching

 

“The idea that mindfulness and compassion are practiced not to change behavior or fix a difficult experience, but rather because difficulty, pain or suffering is being experienced - is a landmark and enduring concept for me. I have approached change all my life from the perspective of aversion. Even the impulse to improve something is grounded to some degree in aversion. I wasn’t really aware of that before.

I’ve noticed already that when I practice, especially self-compassion when needed, there is an immediate result, a kind of loving presence that wasn’t there before. That is a gain right there.

It is liberating to know that we can take care of ourselves by just stopping and letting ourselves be heard and recognized.”

 

 

Empathy Through Art Workshops

 

 “In 2021, while the museum was closed to the public, we wanted to be able to continue some form of programming for our audiences.  We invited Deborah to teach her Empathy Through Art workshops virtually, as we felt this was exactly what many people were looking for, at the time. Her first was a series over Zoom, discussing three different forms of empathy, and using art to convey them. The fourth workshop was hybrid (our first attempt at this format), with a small in-person class streamed over Zoom for the virtual participants. While planning these workshops, Deborah was a joy to work with as she is not only talented, organized, and professional, but she truly exudes the empathy and care that she teaches in her classes. Even over Zoom, she had the ability to communicate with the participants in a caring, supportive way. Throughout the series of workshops, we had multiple returners, as they thoroughly enjoyed her classes and had nothing but praise for Deborah.” – Lisa Javeck, Assistant Director, Fralin Art Museum, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

 

 

MSC Course with Teachers and Administrators:

 

- School Counselor

“I was uncertain at first if I would be personally ok to be open and share with colleagues from work during the course. I was surprised to discover that it went well especially during the pairing sessions. It made me feel connected in a different way with my colleagues, beyond the roles that we assume at work. That connection carried over to a sense of relatedness even in the hallways.”
 

- Teachers

“It has been a great experience for me and has changed the way I am with myself in the classroom with the students. I hope that other teachers will be able to have the opportunity to take this course.”

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“Thank you so much! I love this course and the way you teach it. What a gift to us all”
“Mindfulness in daily life – this is something so simple but also so rewarding. To be completely aware of the activity you are doing at that specific moment is something I am grateful for and appreciate”.

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“Deborah had a presence that I could feel as I walked into the room that embodied mindfulness and compassion. It was helpful to see that modeled especially since I am teaching students in the classroom. Voice and presence are so important.”

 

“The MSC course with Deborah has helped me to be mindful of myself and to care. After a few sessions I have become more patient and present and it has given me the opportunity to attend more to my students’ needs to give them more attention and understanding.”

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"I learned how to change self-criticism to self-compassion. I had the chance to understand more about what causes the difficult feelings in current situations. I also learned how to show compassion not only for myself, but my mindfulness partners. I will transfer this compassionate understanding to my teaching and become a better listener for my colleagues and my students."

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“Deborah was very encouraging with us all, to have our own experiences and not to compare ourselves with one another. She also has an incredibly soothing speaking voice.”

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"Deborah is an experienced and professional mindfulness teacher. Her voice varied according to teaching purpose, which help the participants relax and concentrate. She is quite knowledgeable about mindfulness and able to answer our questions in details. We learned a lot from all the practices. some of the practices became part of life routine, like mindfulness breath and savoring."

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