My approach is deeply rooted in my experience and knowledge as a social psychologist and my work around positive psychology, yoga and mindfulness. As I study and work with emotions, identity, leadership, social interactions, and culture, I appreciate the fluid nature of personal and professional growth. My perspective shifts with my continued education and the evolving needs of my clients. I believe every coaching relationship is an invitation to learn and refine—on both sides.

My approach is, therefore, dynamic. It changes as I discover new research, re-examine my own perspectives, and continue to engage with people from diverse cultures and communities. The only constant is my commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment where clients can authentically examine their experiences, solidify their identities, and transform their leadership capacities.

Coaching is a multifaceted process. That centers around the relationship between the coach and thinker, but it starts with the coach’s relationship with oneself and the coachees. The more aware I am of my own biases, stories, and beliefs, the more I can sit back and support the thinker. The same goes for the coachee and their awareness.

Who I Am

“Who you are is how you coach.” – Coach Supervision Academy

I have always been fascinated by what shapes us—the interplay of emotion, identity, and social context. Growing up, I was constantly aware of how different cultures, languages, and norms intersect to form our sense of self and our mindset. Over time, that curiosity developed into an academic pursuit: I studied sociology, philosophy, and social psychology, focusing on how emotions influence our behaviors, relationships, and leadership styles.

Beyond the academic aspect, my life journey has taken me across different continents and cultures. Each move challenged me to adapt, learn the unspoken rules of new environments, and balance my identity with outside expectations. Whether confronting the biases of a new culture or the assumptions others held about me, I realized firsthand how powerful—and sometimes limiting—these social norms and perceptions can be.

As a social psychologist, I approach coaching with these experiences and insights. I recognize that “showing up” authentically takes courage when someone feels different or underrepresented. I also know that each individual’s perspective is shaped by the thinker’s unique blend of personal history, cultural background, emotional landscape, and social influences. My job, as a coach, is to hold space for that complexity so the client can explore it.

Why I Coach

We live in a world that makes us doubt ourselves, creates burnout, and overwhelms us through fear and a sense of a lack of time for everything. My driving force is my belief that insight and knowledge create empowerment, leading to independence. Everyone carries that knowledge within themselves, which is why empowerment can only come from within. Gaining that insight allows to create independence by making aligned decisions.

Coaching provides a structured yet flexible environment in which the client can explore their deepest aspirations, confront limiting beliefs, and harness their effective emotionality to become more impactful leaders and collaborators.

1. Emotions as a Compass
   Emotions are often the unspoken drivers behind our decisions and behaviors. As a specialist in the science of emotions, I see them not as barriers but as a compass and catalyst. By recognizing and understanding positive and challenging emotional states, clients gain clarity on why they act the way they do and how they can intentionally shift their responses.
2. Identity at the Core
   Our identities—personal, cultural, professional—form the lens through which we perceive the world. When we gain clarity over our values, acknowledge our stories, and embrace our individuality, we unlock new levels of leadership potential, creative thinking, and personal fulfillment.
3. Leadership in Context
   Leadership is not just a position; it’s a mindset. Good leaders navigate diverse social ecosystems. I coach with a holistic lens and support individuals in understanding the group dynamics and cultural factors that influence effective leadership. Whether a thinker wants to lead a team or simply be a positive influence in their community, my approach helps uncover the tools to do so authentically and responsibly.
4. Building Cultural Bridges
   Culture shapes how we communicate, collaborate, and even conceptualize success. As someone who has worked with multicultural teams and individuals worldwide, I ensure my coaching approach respects and utilizes cultural differences as strengths rather than obstacles.

Who I Coach

My work resonates particularly with three groups:

These are five effective practices that have proven effective in gaining energy and allowing your mind to rest: 

1. Leaders in Transition

Whether stepping into a new leadership role, navigating a shift in your organization’s culture, or leading a rapidly changing team, you may benefit from exploring how your beliefs, emotional patterns, and cultural influences shape your leadership approach. If you frequently seek guidance on managing complex social interactions, motivating diverse teams, and developing inclusive strategies. In our sessions, you will be able to identify your strengths, solve prevailing negative beliefs, and develop solutions to overcome challenges. Coaching is a partnership, and my role is to hold the process while you have the space to think, feel, and create solutions aligned with who you are.

2. Young Professionals Mapping Out Their Leadership Journey

Early-career individuals who are exploring their leadership potential, refining critical interpersonal and emotional skills, and clarifying their professional aspirations. Coaching supports you in cultivating confidence, resilience, and a more nuanced understanding of how you can meaningfully contribute.

3. Underrepresented or Minority Professionals

Systemic inequities, unconscious biases, and internalized cultural narratives can sometimes overshadow personal and professional aspirations. I focus on helping clients reframe limiting beliefs, gain emotional resilience, and leverage their unique perspectives to excel in environments that may not yet fully value their contributions. But also gain insight that you are whole and worthy of your desired success. My personal experiences as a perpetuated immigrant give me a unique advantage: in creating the space, you need to create integrity for yourself.

Coaching can be a life-changing experience for those who feel “out of place” or underrepresented. Perhaps this is the single most important reason I have entered the field.

What This Means in Working with Organizations

When an organization sponsors coaching, I emphasize clear contracting: the individual being coached must have autonomy in deciding which goals you set and how you wish to measure success. This ensures coaching is not simply about “fixing” someone to fit a predetermined mold but about harnessing their authenticity to drive collective results.

My background as a social psychologist also means I pay close attention to systemic factors and power dynamics. While I am passionate about helping individuals thrive, I also encourage organizations to address broader cultural challenges—such as unconscious bias, communication barriers, and inequitable processes. Coaching is most impactful when it occurs within a supportive, inclusive ecosystem.

How I Coach

In my practice, I adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics and ICF Core Competencies, which supports me in ensuring integrity and professionalism in every interaction. I embrace a coaching mindset that is open, curious, and client-centered—constantly learning and reflecting to support my clients. Impactful coaching is based on collaboration in which clients, with my support, clearly define their goals, explore what matters most to them, and establish measurable steps for success. I encourage open dialogue and deep self-reflection by cultivating a safe and trusting environment. Through active listening and thoughtful questions, I aim to support clients in gaining new insights, challenging their perspectives, and achieving sustainable change. Ultimately, my approach is designed to help clients realize their potential, celebrate progress, and create lasting change so they can flourish in their personal and professional lives.

I describe my method as a flexible method approach based on social- and positive psychology —drawing from evidence-based frameworks while staying grounded in the realities of social and cultural contexts. Every client is different which is why each session is based on the individual needs. There is no “one shoe fits all approach.” A few components stand out:

1. Person-Centered and Emotion-Focused
   • I create a non-judgmental, empathetic space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions.
   • I help clients process the emotional underpinnings of their challenges by leveraging techniques from humanistic psychology (e.g., positive psychology,  unconditional positive regard, and reflective listening).
2. Identity Exploration
   • We delve into how cultural norms, personal history, and social group memberships shape your self-perception.
   • Identity-based coaching helps rewrite the stories you tell yourselve.
3. Systems Thinking
   • Borrowing from organizational psychology and systems theory, I encourage clients to see how relationships, group dynamics, and institutional cultures influence their behaviors and opportunities.
   • Tools like Constellations or Force Field Analysis may be used to map out relationships and identify potential levers for change.
4. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions
   • Where relevant, I incorporate CBT-oriented methods (such as the ABCDE framework) to help clients challenge limiting beliefs with evidence-based reasoning.
   • This is particularly helpful for individuals working to replace self-doubt or imposter syndrome with more constructive, self-affirming beliefs.
5. Leadership and Social Interaction Tools
   • Practical resources like feedback models (SBI), conflict management frameworks, or negotiation strategies (BATNA) come into play for clients navigating complex team or organizational environments.
   • I focus on emotional intelligence (e.g., self-awareness, empathy, relationship management) as a core building block for leadership success.
6. Mindful, Culturally Attuned Adaptation
   • I adapt session length, frequency, and communication style to my client’s cultural and personal preferences.
   • I remain mindful that individuals from collectivist cultures may have different motivators and comfort levels with self-disclosure compared to those from individualistic societies.

Measuring Effectiveness and Growth

I asses coaching effectiveness in three main ways:

1. Client Feedback
   Direct input from clients—via surveys, verbal reflections, or written testimonials—helps me understand what resonates, what needs refining, and where breakthroughs are being experienced.
2. Observed Behavioral Shifts
   Clients often share stories of how they handled a challenging team dynamic, a difficult conversation, or a high-stakes presentation differently than they would have before coaching. These real-life anecdotes indicate tangible progress.
3. Sponsoring Organization Feedback
   Where organizations are involved, I gather feedback on how clients’ leadership styles, decision-making processes, or team relationships evolve over time, always keeping client confidentiality at the center.

Ultimately, the client determines how effective and impactful the results are and does not need to share any insight with me about it.

Simultaneously, I invest in my professional development through continued education and coaching supervision. I hold myself accountable for maintaining ethical standards, reflecting on my biases, and staying current with emerging leadership and cultural studies research.

Finally

Who I am and how I coach are inseparable. My training and experience as a social psychologist form the backbone of my coaching approach. Still, the heart lies in empathy, authenticity, and a genuine desire to support people in realizing their strengths and capabilities—especially those who feel unseen or misunderstood.

I believe that coaching is a deeply relational and transformative experience. Combining scientific rigor with compassionate curiosity can help individuals unlock greater emotional intelligence, stronger identities, and more inclusive leadership styles. In turn, they can influence their organizations and communities to be more accepting, innovative, and human.

I look forward to evolving as a coach and learner—remaining open to new insights, research, and collaborative opportunities. After all, coaching is a journey, not a destination. I am here to travel alongside my clients as they navigate the complexities and possibilities of who they are becoming.