My parent’s told me they named me Joy because of the happiness & gratitude they felt welcoming my birth, even though I was the accidental 3rd child. It was also what everyone called my grandmother whose real name was Josephine.
So while my name is Joy, also the deep desire of my heart is to help others to live with more joy in their lives and in their hearts. To experience joy may include a feeling of happiness but indicates a deeper sense of soul satisfaction.
My Training and Credentials:
- Life Coach training from MentorCoach, LLC with certification expected in April 2020 and specialized training in Career Coaching, Somatic or Body Centered Coaching and Group Coaching.
- Certified Parent Coach with training and Certification from Parent Coaching Institute through Seattle Pacific University. Specialized training included Ages and Stages of Child development, Parenting in a Media Age, Parenting for Healthy Brain Development
- Member in good standing of the International Coach Federation and the Institute of Coaching
- Additional Coach training from Coach Approach Ministries, and WBECS (World Business and Executive Coach Summit)
- Certified in the Art of Pastoral Care through Northern Virginia Pastoral Counselling
- Completed graduate level course work at John Leland Center for Theological Studies, studied Philosophy, Theology and Christian Education and Leadership.
- Worked in Christian Ministry and Church Administration in several churches.
- Worked for many years as a professional photographer and taught photography at Walter Reed Medical Center.
- BA in Communications from American University
I am a mother and a grandmother. I grew up as a “third culture kid” and spent most of my childhood in Africa and Europe. My family today is very multi-cultural and includes beautiful and quirky people from all over the globe.
I’ve survived and learned from lots of ups and downs, including cancer & divorce. Curiously, these experiences may have taught me the most, because I know that rising from the ashes of failure is possible. I have found that the most difficult experiences, besides being times of suffering, are also opportunities for change and growth. But I will have to honestly add, I never could have made it alone, which is why I personally so strongly recognize the need for good coaching.
Coaching people to thrive, discover their potential and become the best possible version of themselves and advocating for children to have the best possible start in life are what I love doing the most.
My Approach
My coaching practice uses a strengths focused approach, heavily influenced by training in the well-researched methodologies of Appreciative Inquiry and Positive Psychology, a relatively new field which proactively focuses on discovering and building on strengths and personal empowerment.
I’ve extensively studied child development, the impact of screen-based media on thriving and brain development, as well as how positive change occurs in organizations and families. My coach training has included specialized courses on Transformational Parent Coaching, Brain Smart Parenting in a Media Age, Career Coaching, Group Coaching and Body Centered Coaching, among others.