From prison volunteer to psychotherapist: 20 years of helping people transform their lives with Ellen Boeder

From a very young age, Ellen Boeder had big questions about our collective connectivity and she wanted to fully understand the relationship with herself and with others.At the age of 14, in her first week of high school, she was introduced to a therapist who visited her health class, and it was then that she knew psychology (and personal growth) was the path for her.Fast forward to her first 'real' experience in the field, as a volunteer at a women's prison, Ellen taught creative writing to inmates as a form of therapy and healing. This was the very first time that she had experienced a group of people who were trying to piece their lives back together after immense traumas and hardship. The writing was an exercise in putting all the pieces back together. She recounts what an honor and privilege it was to be trusted and "let in" by these women to help transform their lives. And found a powerful life force watching these women pursue and accomplish amazing things from the darkest of places.Today, after nearly 20 years as a psychotherapist, Ellen is focused on helping women and couples via relationship therapy and couples coaching. Her core belief is that with adequate and effective support, the challenges we face in life can ultimately contribute to our evolution and growth—individually, and collectively.In this episode Ellen talks aboutHer path to helping others with their mental and emotional health, starting with her prison experienceHow all of us can begin to tap into our own feelings by slowing down, reflecting, and feeling safe in our own skinHow being curious can lead to deep impacts for yourself and for othersHow pain and adversity motivates us to change, and why being too comfortable will inhibit our growthWhy communication is the most challenging thing for our relationships to thrive, and how at our best we are all understanding one another only 13% of the time!Ellen's Bio:I pursue training in cutting edge, research based clinical methodologies, as well as the transpersonal practices of meditation, yoga, and energy work. I utilize experiential modalities and body-centered approaches, such as Gestalt and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, which I find deeply enhances the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy. My theoretical stance is informed by family systems theory, attachment theory, and developmental neuroscience, in addition to my contemplative and transpersonal training and studies. Faculty member of The Relationship School Level 3 Trained in PACTSensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute Level 1 Training for Treating TraumaPrimary Therapist at La Luna Center, Boulder, COPrimary Therapist at Eating Disorder Center of DenverPost Graduate Training at the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies Master of Arts in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology, Naropa University 2003Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Wittenberg University, 1995Where you can find Ellen Boeder, MA, LPC:WebsiteThe Relationship SchoolYou can find out more about Owl & Key and the Strategic Planning for Life below:www.owlandkey.cowww.owlandkey.co/courselinktr.ee/owlandkeywww.instagram.com/owl_and_key/Get Started today!Get Started with Strategic Planning for Life todayBook your FREE call to learn more!