About Erin

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 In 2015, I was starting a consent-based outdoor learning program for children. It was our first season and I was trying to guide a staff member who had intervened in a conflict between two children. I understood that the facilitator was valuing safety yet I wanted her to also see the perspective of the kids. I was trying to help her figure out how to communicate her wishes in a way that wasn't shaming or "power over" and a parent overhead our conversation. "I know what you're trying to do! That's NVC!" she said excitedly.  I had never heard of NVC before but within a month I had organized facilitator training for all our staff on NVC principals. I've been using NVC daily ever since! 

I have always been interested in learning. In fact, I have a nice collection of degrees and certificates supporting my longstanding interests in intrapersonal growth. However, my most profound learning BY FAR has been learning NVC  by applying it to my life experiences. 

The pandemic changed life for all of us, didn't it? I got sick at the start of the pandemic which developed into a rare autoimmune disease. This greatly impacted the ways I could work and live. I took all of the parts I loved from my previous ways of serving people and created  "MetaMentoring".  Although I fall into the "coaching" category and I have some paradigm-shifting processes to share,  I am absolutely a co-learner in each expression of my work. I hope that by showing up with all of my vulnerabilities and humanness, you'll be able to learn right along with me.

 I am an educator and facilitator. I share natural learning philosophy and compassion techniques and help people apply them to real life situations. By fostering a deeper awareness of your feelings and needs in the moment, you can discover how to access creativity when you face challenges. I invite you to learn via my podcast, videos, social media, blog posts, my book “Finding Ahimsa", and my online practice groups. Whether you wish to deepen your connection with the people you love, engage more collaboratively with colleagues, or navigate changes, these tools can help!  

The relationship you have with yourself is the most important relationship of all, hands down. And yet, I know after learning these techniques, you will definitely be applying them to the relationships that are most meaningful to you; with your kids, with your partner, with your extended family, friends, and co-workers. I am so excited for you to see how NVC can work to bring you more connection. 

The nice thing about the techniques I share is that they work for all humans. I've taught NVC to kids and adults alike, in organizations and within families - these skills are transferable, making it worth the investment to learn them!

A special note to parents: I've worked as a parent coach and taught children in different settings. I see your frustration with sibling fights and exhaustion in wondering if your needs matter (they do!). Learning NVC can help with all of those things!

I have explored learning from more angles than the average person. In my undergrad I looked at intrinsic motivation and collaborative processes in teams and groups. In my MBA, I studied how people are motivated in organizations and how to access creativity in strategic problem-solving. Finally, in my BEd, I learned about conventional classrooms. I have worked as a classroom teacher, created consent-based learning programs, supported families in making educational choices and helped with organizations to improve their collaborative processes. It may seem like an odd assortment of work experiences, but they all share a similar underlying theme - how do we support people in the directions they want to grow and flourish?

Natural learning is a passion of mine and it is the foundation in my understanding of how learning happens and how societal changes happen too. I unschool my own kids (and love talking about it!) If you work with me, you'll definitely hear some paradigm-shifting ideas about how humans learn.

I've always been a reflective person but I haven't always been keen to share my thoughts aloud. When I got sick, things changed. As I re-emerged in the world, I needed to renegotiate boundaries within every relationship. I was a different person with different needs. It was exhausting work and sometimes I had to say uncomfortable things but I got used to that feeling of vulnerability. 

Now I try to use my vulnerability as a strength. We are all walking around feeling various degrees of uncomfortableness. Maybe if I express my humanity aloud, you'll feel safer to explore what is true for you? Maybe together we can find safety where there was previously discomfort? That is my hope - that together we can find ways to have more of our needs met.