Transformational Coaching

BASED IN SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA
Serving clients throughout the USA, UK, and Canada

Coaching • Mediation • Integration

I provide coaching, counseling, mediation and consultation focused on individuals, partners, and groups seeking to create transformational change in their relationships, their work lives, and ultimately themselves.

Hi, I’m David.

Coaching, for me, is more than a profession; it's been the compass steering me through the wild storms of divorce, co-parenting quandaries, addictive loops, co-dependent twists, and the turbulent currents of anger. When the conventional avenues of therapy faltered, coaching didn't just offer solutions; it served as a guide, showing me a different path, a transformation amidst the chaos of life's tempests.

As a father, writer, surfer, and advocate, my existence resonates with the vibrations of compassion, kindness, humor, inclusivity, collective liberation, deep ecology, and anti-racism. These frequencies form the backbone of my work as a Coach, Mediator, and Cooperative Communication Teacher & Trainer.

My voyage has shaped a coaching style not just about problem-solving but about unveiling tools for metamorphosis. These tools open gateways to eudaimonic self-care. Eudaimonic self-care, delves into a deeper realm of wellness—a path that leads not just to happiness but to flourishing, where individuals align with their true essence, leading to a fulfilling and meaningful life:

1. Establishing Better Boundaries: Balancing the energies—less output, less depletion.

2. Accessing Personal Power: Embracing the courage to chase dreams echoing in the soul's chambers.

3. Embracing Self-Compassion: Cultivating the deepest connection—with oneself.

4. Discovering Authentic Values: It's about stripping away masks, revealing the raw essence within.

My forte lies in guiding individuals through life's enigmatic dances by guiding them back to themselves—be it burnout, confusion, or relationship intricacies. My methodology harmonizes somatic practices and compassionate mindfulness aimed at fortifying inner resilience and refining communication to be effective and clear.

My educational history is rooted in Developmental Psychology and seasoned by Applied Social Work & Community Education. I bear certifications in Skills for Change Coaching, Mediation, Bodywork, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Cooperative Communication. Evolving incessantly through ongoing training, I weave a tapestry of tools like Transactional Analysis, Positive Intelligence, CBT, and Somatic Psychedelic Integration.

Passionate about harm reduction and personal growth, I also offer guidance for those pondering the conscious and culturally-sensitive use of psychedelics.

I reside in Santa Cruz on unceded Awaswas and Amah Mutsun territory, extending both virtual and in-person sessions.

My mission transcends mere issue resolution; it's about bestowing upon you the tools to voyage through life's cosmic seas, rewrite your narrative, and unearth the boundless potential within. Let us embark on this voyage of discovery together.

How Personal Coaching Works

Personal Coaching is often compared to therapy but shouldn’t be. In coaching, we’re in a conversation about your essential self, how you want to be with that self, and fulfilling the vision you have for that self. Coaching doesn’t diagnose you or pathologize your experience but instead seeks to normalize why we struggle and experience resistance to change and then develop pathways to achieve the goals you create for your life. While I’ve had therapeutic training, my focus as a coach is to help you to:

  1. Build Consciousness in new ways

  2. Articulate your Vision for your life, work, or relationship

  3. Develop skills in Communication and Problem Solving

  4. Make a plan and support you to take Action

How do I know if we’re a good fit?

Many have come to work with me because they’re running into dead ends in therapy. Therapy has helped uncover their symptoms or diagnoses but hasn’t given them tools to succeed. While any coach can give you tools, success in life change isn’t just about the tools alone. It’s about a good relationship. Good relationships have trust, honesty, and vulnerability. If we’re a fit, we’re a team. 

Of all of the coaches, mentors, therapists, guides, and healers in the world, the ones that will help you change your life are the ones with whom you feel a natural fit and a desire to work with. In my experience working with clients, those who resonate with my style, my story, and my personality are practically guaranteed to find results with me. 

WE’RE A GOOD FIT IF…

  • You’re ready to be real, tell the truth, and be open to trusting a process.

  • You’re ready to invest in your personal growth, relationships, and work. 

  • You’re ready to learn information, skills, and practices relevant to your life. 

  • You’re ready to accept feedback and supportive direction.

  • You’re committed to making time in your life to practice what you learn.

  • You see the value, potential, and possibility in learning how to navigate, communicate, and express in relationships.

WE’RE NOT A GOOD FIT IF…

  • You don’t think investing in your personal development is a good use of money, time, or effort.

  • You’re looking for a mental health diagnosis or crisis services. 

  • Someone else urged you to do this, and you’re doing it to appease them. 

  • You want proof that this will work. 

  • You want a space to vent your complaints but aren’t willing to take any actions to invest in change. 

  • You want to use communication skills and relationship knowledge to manipulate or control others.

Testimonials

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C.H. (Salt Lake, UT)

“I was unsatisfied with 2 different life coaches I had before I found David. From our first conversation, I felt an immediate connection with him. I felt comfortable that I could be open and not judged for me being honest with myself. What I needed in a life coach or therapist was someone who could listen, give me tools to use, and willingness to challenge me to achieve higher. We don’t seek help if we are happy with who we are, so if you want to change, David has the tools you can implement in your life to become a better version of yourself.”

— C.H. (Salt Lake, UT)

K.J. (San Luis Obispo, CA)

“I reached out to David seeking career coaching during COVID-19. He and I established weekly and bimonthly phone sessions via 1hr calls. For me, the tools David has shared have led me to feel more confident with what I can and can not take control of in my life. One of his strengths is his ability to empathize and connect with others. If you are looking for couples coaching, career support, or help with change, etc. you will be exploring so much more. I am so grateful to have started the journey and to have had David's constant support along the way. I recommend you give him a try!!”

— K.J. (San Luis Obispo, CA)

C.S. (Woodside, CA)

Before I met David, I had very little experience with coaching, therapy, or spiritual development of any kind. In fact, I was a skeptic who was quick to point out how it wouldn't benefit me. My life today is proof that David's approach works. He has helped me get to know who I am and to be comfortable with who I am. He has given me the tools and vocabulary to quiet the stories I tell myself and to look at what's actually true, to rely on my intuition, and not question every decision I make. I now feel as though I belong. I've learned what it means to be a father and husband and that a man can be both strong and vulnerable. Life is no longer a riddle without an answer and in the process, David has become a role model, a spiritual guide, and a friend.

— C.S. (Woodside, CA)

M.M. (Grass Valley, CA)

“David is an exceptionally gifted coach. I have worked with many therapists over the past several decades, and know how rare it is to find someone like him. He is tactful and yet not afraid to challenge his clients in places that ask for that. My partner and I come from very different places and have very different therapy needs, and David somehow manages to meet us both exactly where we are at and give each of us a picture of where our work lies independently as well as together. He does this with seeming ease and I come away from our sessions very impressed! In my experience, he shines as a couples coach, and I refer all of my friends to him with confidence that he can provide them with excellent support and insight.”

— M.M. (Grass Valley, CA)

R.P. (Santa Cruz, CA)

“I felt called to reach out & let you know how much I have appreciated you, at this critical juncture in my life, and that I am grateful for the few sessions I have had the honor to experience your calling & gift as a Coach. You have exceptional listening skills and you are such a kindhearted spirit. Thank you for the tools I have implemented ~ giving myself space for self-care daily, nurturing myself & allow myself permission to feel. I have created a vision of who I am I have been mapping my progress & it has all been helping!”

— R.P. (Santa Cruz, CA)

J.B. (Santa Cruz, CA)

I was "STUCK" and now I am "UNSTUCK!" We had several sessions twice weekly for one month and I learned a lot about myself and my strengths and weaknesses. David's approach to my journey was very compassionate and understanding. He validated my feelings and emotions that I was experiencing with helpful tools to have a breakthrough with my "old reactions" and he taught me "new reactions" to my relationships. My personal and professional! If I ever feel "STUCK" again I will be calling David to help me.

— J.B. (Santa Cruz, CA)

Ready to get started?

If you’re ready to begin your journey through personal coaching, whether that’s gathering additional information or booking your initial consult, I’m here for you. Please use one of the buttons below to get the ball rolling; I’ll be in touch soon!