Imagine the better version of yourself!
My journey started from a place of constant exhaustion and sleepless nights. I know what it feels like to struggle with sleep and feel disconnected from yourself. Through working with families and individuals, I’ve learned that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to better sleep or well-being. We all have different paths.
For me, it was about rediscovering my own inner potential. Now, my mission is to help others tap into their own unique resources to improve their sleep and quality of life. Everyone’s journey looks different, and I’m here to help guide you toward a version of yourself that’s more rested, balanced, and energized. Want to learn more about how sleep can transform your life? Keep reading!
When I first got into sleep coaching …
… When I first got into sleep coaching, I wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. My goal was simple: help people stop struggling with sleep. Back then, I was really into behaviorism—you know, the idea that our environment shapes our habits through conditioning. It seemed logical to focus on creating the “perfect” environment for myself, my child, and my clients, all in the name of getting better sleep.
Hitting a wall
But after a while, something didn’t sit right. Behaviorism is helpful, sure, but it only scratches the surface. It doesn’t explain what’s really going on inside our heads. Thoughts, feelings, consciousness—these things matter, but behaviorism wasn’t cutting it when it came to understanding those deeper layers.
Getting into Positive Psychology
That’s when I started digging into positive psychology. I began focusing more on things like happiness, well-being, and free will, rather than just the problems people were having with sleep. I mean, we’re wired to focus on the negative—it’s how our ancestors survived—but these days, it often holds us back.
By shifting the focus to what’s going right, rather than obsessing over what’s going wrong, I’ve been able to help my clients develop a more balanced perspective. It’s not about pretending life is perfect, but about seeing it clearly—both the good and the bad.
Sleep, Dreams, and Consciousness
Then it hit me: sleep isn’t just about recharging your body. It’s also about your mind and emotions. Ignoring the role of consciousness at first was a rookie move, but eventually, I realized how important it is to pay attention to what’s happening mentally, even while we sleep. Understanding dreams has become a huge part of my work—it’s like a window into what’s really going on, and it helps me support my clients in a much deeper way.
Dreams as Windows to the Unconscious
I’ve had my share of memorable dreams, but one in particular was a game-changer for me. It wasn’t just a nightmare; it was like a wake-up call, pushing me to rethink my approach to sleep coaching:
I dreamt I was at the airport with my daughter, a mom friend, and her kid. As we were about to board our flight, my baby was suddenly kidnapped. Thankfully, my friend managed to get her back quickly, but then she dropped a bombshell: some people drug other’s kids to keep them quiet on flights. I was floored—shocked that I didn’t know about this and unsure if my friend was just sharing a scary story. Meanwhile, my baby was sleeping, and I couldn’t tell if it was a natural nap or something else.
I woke up in a panic. Well, in coaching we would say: “no pain, no gain.”
My dream revealed much about my transition
This dream was more than just a scary story (and of course non of it was real)—it was a deep dive into what was going on in my head and my career. The airport felt like a crossroads, reflecting the changes I was going through professionally and how they were affecting my role as a mom. The kidnapping symbolized a fear of losing control, hinting that I was worried about losing confidence in my abilities. My friend rescuing my baby was like a mirror showing my own insecurities that I don’t reach my potentials professionally. And the whole drugging-children thing? That was a metaphor for feeling like I was missing something crucial in my practice. Finally, the sleeping baby represented a fear that something essential—my instincts, creativity, or my work—might be getting dulled or overlooked.
How This Shapes My Practice
That dream was a milestone in my transition to my new approach of sleep coaching. It also pushed me to tap into my own inner wisdom and trust my gut. I’ve learned to listen to those instincts and dig deeper, if I feel something’s off or missing. It helped me go beyond the fear of not having all the answers and encouraged me to dive into new areas of sleep research.
It was a huge boost for me to quit self-doubt and bring dream analysis into my practice. I see it as one of many valuable tools for unlocking deeper truths and guiding both personal and professional growth
So, nowadays, along with solid, scientific methods, I’m all about exploring the power of dreams. By delving into the symbolism and emotions in your dreams, we can often uncover solutions to sleep issues and other life challenges that might not be obvious when you’re awake.
Where Key Disciplines Meet
When I started in sleep coaching, it wasn’t obvious what I needed to know to offer the best solutions. Since sleep coaching is a new field, traditional training programs didn’t cover everything. So, I pieced together top-notch insights from universities worldwide to create my own “sleep university.”
My approach blends multiple fields to tackle sleep issues holistically:
Neurobiology & Physical Health: sleep is tied to our body’s physical processes. I use insights from neurobiology and health science to address your specific needs.
Positive Psychology: your mental state impacts sleep. I apply positive psychology techniques to boost your well-being and improve sleep quality.
Systemic Coaching: sleep is influenced by your life’s big picture. Systemic coaching helps address the broader factors affecting your sleep.
Social & Cultural Sciences: human contexts shape sleep habits. I consider these factors to provide personalized solutions.
This blend of disciplines helps me offer a well-rounded and effective sleep coaching experience tailored to you.
Are you sleep-deprived?
Time hasn’t solved your sleep problem? Others told you that you need to accept that parenting means no more sleep for you? Do you postpone improving sleep because you think there is no middle way between this struggle and cry it out?
Important FAQs
So many asked me these questions
Sleep is a complex deal and it’s not just about a one-way approach—it’s a mix of biology, psychology, environment, and culture. Trying to solve it by focusing on just one area would be like fixing a car by only checking the engine. Here’s why I keep my approach broad:
Sleep is messy and complicated. If I only focused on one thing, I’d miss out on other factors that mess with your sleep. Everyone’s different, so having a broad toolkit lets me find what really works for you.
Sleep science is always changing. By keeping up with the latest across different fields, I can bring fresh, effective strategies to the table. Specialists are great for specific issues, but they might skip over lifestyle or environmental stuff that affects your sleep. That’s where I come in—I help connect the dots and make sense of it all.
I’m not here to replace medical professionals or specialists but to bridge the gaps and offer a personalized, holistic approach. If there’s something beyond my expertise, I’ll make sure to point you in the right direction.
Great question, and it’s key to understanding what I do! Here’s how we’re different:
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Doctors handle diagnosing and treating sleep disorders or medical conditions. I don’t do that. If I think there’s something medical going on, I’ll send you to a pro.
- Prescriptions: Only a doctor can give you meds. I focus on natural, non-medical ways to improve your sleep.
- Therapy: I’m not a therapist. I can offer advice and techniques, but if you’ve got deep mental health stuff affecting your sleep, I’ll point you to a licensed therapist.
- Seven Realms: I look at your sleep through seven key areas—mind, body, spirit, emotions, lifestyle, social environment, and physical environment. This holistic view lets me dig into how different parts of your life are impacting your sleep.
- Education and Empowerment: My job is to teach you about sleep and help you make smart choices to improve it. Doctors may do this too, but they often don’t have as much time to break things down.
- Working Together: I’m here to complement what your doctor says. If they give you advice, I’ll help you put it into action in your day-to-day life.
- Prevention: While doctors focus on fixing problems, I’m all about stopping sleep issues before they start.
- Custom Game Plan: I work with you to create sleep strategies that fit your lifestyle—not just a one-size-fits-all solution.
- Ongoing Support: I’m here for regular check-ins and support. You won’t need to wait for the next doctor’s appointment to get help.
If you have a sleep disorder or health condition, see a healthcare professional first. I’m here to help you along the way, not replace medical care. I stick to my lane and always refer out when needed.
Dream analysis is an option, not a must. If you’re not into it or don’t believe in it, no worries—we can skip it. While some research suggests dreams can reflect what’s going on in your body and subconscious, it’s not about fortune-telling. Sometimes, talking about dreams can lead to useful insights, but if you’re skeptical, we can focus on other techniques. My approach is flexible and holistic, so dream analysis is just one tool in a bigger strategy. We’ll only use what works for you, and I respect your comfort zone. It’s all about improving your sleep.
Your pediatrician might mean well, but no, you don’t have to stop breastfeeding to help your baby sleep better. It’s a myth that weaning leads to magical sleep improvements. Babies need both sleep and feeding, and you shouldn’t have to choose between them.
I’ve seen moms exhausted from constant night feedings, like one who went to the ER because her baby was waking up every 20 minutes. The doctors suggested stopping breastfeeding, thinking that would solve the problem. But the real game-changer wasn’t quitting breastfeeding—it was starting a proper sleep routine. That same mom breastfed for almost two years, but her baby started sleeping better way before she stopped nursing.
Here’s the truth: Better sleep isn’t about weaning, it’s about finding the right balance. Your baby can sleep well and keep breastfeeding. You don’t have to give up one for the other. Let’s find a balance that works for both of you.
Your doctor might not have been able to help with your sleep problem for a couple of reasons. First, most doctors aren’t sleep specialists—they’re trained to treat diseases, not dive deep into your sleep patterns. And let’s be real, many of them are sleep-deprived themselves! Some doctors do notice the link between poor sleep and health issues and take the time to learn more about it.
Second, they usually focus on meds, which can help in some cases, but sleep problems often go deeper. Real solutions usually need changes in the seven realms: mind, body, spirit, emotions, lifestyle, social environment, and physical environment. Sleep is more than just taking a pill; it’s about finding balance across all areas of life, not just treating the symptoms.
Your psychologist might not have been able to help with your sleep problems for a couple of reasons. First, they’re focused on treating mental health issues, and are not specialized in sleep disorders. Sure, some do see the link between mental health and sleep, and then they can be a great help offering cognitive approaches. Analysts may be interested in your dreams, but it won’t work if you’re not sleeping enough to dream! Sometimes, psychiatrists will prescribe sleeping pills, but that might not be the real fix. If your external circumstances are keeping you up (e.g. children), no pill will change that.
And if the problem is an internal inability to sleep, meds often aren’t the answer either. Sleeping pills can create rebound insomnia—when you stop taking them, your insomnia comes back even worse. Plus, tolerance builds up fast, meaning the pills stop working, but people keep taking them out of habit. That can lead to dependency, and it’s a slippery slope. It’s better to avoid sleeping pills unless absolutely necessary because they can mess with your mood, slow your reaction time, and leave you feeling groggy the next day.
Sleep issues need a broader approach than just popping pills or analyzing dreams—you’ve got to tackle both the mind and lifestyle factors.