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Hi, I’m Lauren

Why I Coach

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a sensitive soul immersed in a competitive environment. After conditioning myself to achieve success on paper, I realized I had lost myself in the process. After a decade into my career, anxiety, imposter syndrome, and stress were still running high.

I found a field I love in user experience design, which allows me to channel my empathy, creativity, and desire to help others. But something was still missing. This existential curiosity led me to exploring end-of-life volunteering, coaching, and residency at the San Francisco Zen Center. It helped unearth a calling in me to partner with others to help them reconnect with their inner wisdom, return home to themselves, and feel truly alive in this one precious life.

My Coaching Approach

My coaching foundation is Co-Active coaching from Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), which is based on coaching the whole person in the present moment with non-judgement, empathy, and curiosity. The Harvard Medical School affiliate, Institute of Coaching, has recognized the Co-Active model from CTI as the gold standard of coaching due to their evidence-based research about its effectiveness. I’ve also trained in Psychosynthesis Coaching, which is a spiritual and integrative approach to working with the human psyche.

Clients have described my style as empowering, warm, intuitive, and clear. My intention is to compassionately honor each person’s unique journey through an empowered partnership.

Credentials & Experience

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC), International Coaching Federation (ICF)

  • Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), Co-Active Training Institute (CTI)

  • Certified Psychosynthesis Coach, Synthesis Northeast

  • Teams@Haas Executive Coach, UC Berkeley

  • Zen Practicioner, San Francisco Zen Center (2019-Present); Jukai (lay ordination) in Jan 2022. Deep gratitude to my teachers Anshi Zachary Smith, Gendo Lucy Xiao, and Zesho Susan O’Connell for their endless patience, guidance, and teachings.

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine

  • Yoga Teacher (200hr training), YogaWorks

  • B.S. Business Administration & B.A. Chinese Language, UC Berkeley