About Irene
I have 30+ years of experience as a seasoned, cutting-edge, skilled, socially conscious consultant, national group facilitator, counselor, coach, and educator.
I am a European-American (Irish, German, and Roma descent) cisgender older woman, an “out” lesbian for over 35 years, a survivor, a co-parent by creative means, an avid MN Lynx basketball and MN Wind Chill ultimate frisbee fan, a community organizer, and an activist. I hail from a small conservative Catholic farming community in rural Minnesota. My mother was a schoolteacher, and my father was a dairy farmer. The farmstead was colonized on stolen Anishinaabe and Dakota land. I am the third child of eight siblings. My life’s work is grounded in the values of equity and healing justice. With all their colliding lessons, these identities inform my motivation and dedication to my services and the communities I choose to serve.
My approach
Whether I am providing personal or relationship coaching, consultation, or presenting workshops, I offer a nonjudgmental, professional, and down-to-earth style that is layered with warmth, respect, and compassion. I am informed by decades of diverse training, certifications, education, and direct service experiences.
Being self-employed provides me the opportunity to intertwine four of my passions actively:
- The privilege to work directly with people who want to make personal, relational, or professional changes.
- To create and facilitate support groups.
- To engage with many different people by offering workshops and trainings.
- To actively volunteer in my communities.
I firmly believe “the personal, is the professional, is the political.”
I approach my work and my life from a holistic backdrop that centers on the impacts of cultural and systemic oppression, injustice, and trauma – and the healing and unifying nature of connection with community and self. White Supremacy, patriarchy, capitalism, conservative religion, and rape culture intentionally and insidiously intertwine to manifest personal, interpersonal, and community violence, harm, and injustice. Healing, empowerment, and wellness are strengthened by human connections that are grounded in humanity, equity, humility, justice, community, and liberation.
See Client Information for more information about my services, approach, issues, and the populations I serve.
Resources As you look through my website, note the resource sections that include recommended readings (PDF), Minnesota and national organizations (PDF), and information related to self-actualization, self-care, trauma, healing, white-body privilege, racial equity, relationships, sexuality, sexual and gender identity, emotional regulation, mindfulness, boundaries, codependency, burnout, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and holistic wellness. These are topics that I routinely address in the direct service and educational services I offer.
If any of my services are of interest to you, please contact me.
to arrange a complimentary 30-minute consultation.
ALL OF MY SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED ONLINE | TELEHEALTH
