About me and my approach

My story

I was born in 1960 in the suburbs of Boston as the youngest child of three. I lost my mother when I was twelve. Before I was born my parents had already lost two of my brothers, tragically. My inquisitive nature and need for open and honest communication, combined with challenging aspects in my childhood, led me on an early path of self-discovery. It is important for me to note that throughout my life I have fortunately experienced a lot of love and support from my family and friends. 

My education encompasses a wide spectrum. I have a Degree in Sport and Psychology. Two months before I finished the degree, I went to live in an ashram with the Hare Krishnas and stayed for more than four years. During that time, I meditated, married, and studied (the only reading I was allowed) Hindu scriptures. After leaving the ashram I divorced, returned to college to finish my degree, and started reading fiction, nonfiction and everything in between again. Moving to San Francisco I became an aircraft mechanic and worked for United Airlines. 

During my time in San Francisco, I spent time touring with a band as a sound technician, practicing Kung Fu, Tibetan Buddhism and taking intensive workshops on de-escalation, conflict training and grief counseling. Sports has taught me discipline of body and mind; to take on challenges, to experience defeats and successes. Especially being a gymnast and training in Kung Fu, taught me how to fall gracefully and get back up for the next challenge. Here I also started formally training my intuition. I am interested in people and their stories, human stories about connecting and overcoming hardships in life.

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In 1991 I moved to the countryside of Switzerland, near Zürich, where I heard cow and church bells daily, instead of barking dogs and shotguns like in northern California. I felt as if I was living in a postcard and it took some getting used to. I learned the language (Swiss dialect) within a year, my incentive being that I experienced first-hand the difference it made. My Sicilian grandparents never learned English when they immigrated to the States whereas my Neapolitan grandparents learned English and integrated well. 

In my over 30 years living in Switzerland I gathered different education and work experiences in the social field, concluding with counselling unemployed people. 

Today I live in Bern, Switzerland in an apartment that in summer feels as if it’s a tree house. I am still reading lots of books and instead of gymnastics and Kung-Fu, I do Yoga and ride my E-bike.