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As a doctoral student who had been stuck in a dissertation momentum slump, I have been so pleased by the creative support from Connie's individualized, metaphoric, and gentle approach. I have miraculously gone from a year and a half of frozen momentum to expanded creative thinking, forward motion, and dissertation insight. Her capacity to virtually guide me through the vulnerabilities and underlying struggles that weren't clear to me, and find creative possibilities to maneuver through them while simultaneously honoring them, has assisted me in regaining excitement about my studies. I'm forever grateful for her specialized skills that have allowed me to access my own capacity for movement on this dissertation journey.

Christina Devereaux, MA, LCAT, LMHC, ADTR, NCC; PhD candidate,
Clinical Psychology, Santa Barbara Graduate Institute, USA

I find our work together constitutes a renewal of my ability to tap into a deep well of my own imaginative resources and creativity. What is especially important to me are your gentle nudges toward simplicity in the otherwise complex, organic process of completing a doctorate; sometimes the way through is so simple and obvious, but not always apparent to me. You bring me back to what is needing my attention in any given moment, cultivating simplicity that frees me from the morass of complexity, without wholly discarding it. A sense of momentum arises from the work, energizing me, and illuminating the way on this challenging journey.

Sally Kimpson, RN, BSN, MA; Interdisciplinary PhD candidate
(Nursing and Education), University of Victoria, BC, Canada

Connie's penetrating, searching and intriguing questions have been helping to shake me out of the 'zombie-stage' of my PhD and into some meaningful action. Research is beginning to feel good again! One of those questions includes 'where is your energy?' Not only does Connie ask the question in creative ways, but she has walked with me when I have deeply felt that there were no answers. Surprisingly, the answers have come and my discovery of them has made all the difference. Because life for me as an older student includes commitments to work, family and community, finding energy for my PhD means that now I will actually finish it!

Now Dr. Greg Barker, former PhD Candidate,
Department of Religious Studies, University of Wales, Lampeter, UK
(Editor, Jesus in the World’s Faiths: Leading Thinkers from Five Faiths Reflect on His Meaning)

I'll use the midwife metaphor to explain the magic of working with you. First, I had piles of written pages, competing thoughts, and my head ached with questions: How am I going to put all of this together? How will I start?

Our meetings usually begin with me expressing tormenting hesitations and uncertainties. The magic is in the gentle, respectful questions, comments, or thoughts you come up with. You seem to know when to only listen and when to probe. I really do not know how it works, but at every session I end up with all I need to get the process of creativity going. In your presence and energy something happens, and what is also magical is that I know it is me who created.

Now Dr. Amal Elyas, former PhD Candidate, Department of Curriculum and
Instruction, Faculty of Education, University of Victoria, BC, Canada

When I have doubted my own wisdom, your skill in helping me stay immersed in the moment, to savor the unfolding of what I am discovering in my readings and writings, enabled me to conceptualize and articulate my ideas. You suggested activities that created space for release of my anxieties and resulted in reintroduction of pleasure into my work.

Not only your skills in coaching have been helpful but also your knowledge of the journey through PhD studies has been invaluable, while enabling me to stay present in important and valued everyday relations with other.

Now Dr. Joan Boyce, former Interdisciplinary PhD candidate
(Nursing and Education), University of Victoria, BC, Canada

 
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