Becoming Seen: A Journey of Healing, Presence and Purpose
“My process with Alissa was amazing. She is super-efficient, very measured, she knows all of the angles and showed me how to hold my chin so my jaw looked good. She asked me which photos I liked best. It was a very empowering experience!” That is what Julie Bauch, Deep Transformational Coach, said about her recent headshot experience.
“I’ve learned that we subconsciously construct our identities around what was missing in our early life and need to create for ourselves. In my case, I needed safety and stability that was lacking in my home-- so many aspects of my personality and who I became were driven by me trying to create that safety in my life that otherwise would have come from healthy relationships with my parents. My assertive personality, educational choices, career in finance were all subconsciously driven by that.
Throughout my finance career, I was also on a spiritual journey exploring many wisdom tradition practices. In 2023, I began deeper inner work with my nervous system, younger parts, and deep trauma. The more I dove into it, the more interesting it became, and the more I wanted to support others in it because it’s been life-changing for me.
I am super excited to have recently completed my Integral Coaching® certification, a certification with HeartMath®, and to be studying in a two-year program focused on healing trauma at all levels. I’m thrilled to be transitioning from senior business leader to coach, strategic thought partner & healing facilitator. As a coach, it’s really important for me to be able to listen and receive; to really hear. Those skills are incredibly necessary to support clients. It’s been a massive learning experience for me & a reorientation.
Inner work is a lifelong journey with huge rewards. Many people experience a lot of suffering – and inflict a lot on others -- because they don’t know we can relate to things differently. When we open to that possibility, new pathways open up.”
Julie offers this wisdom, “You have an inner compass, learn how to tune into it. Outside influences can be wonderful & important, but it’s crucial to tune into our inner knowing – especially what our bodies are communicating.
As a coach, I am seeing that the single biggest thing that supports people is presence, simply being there; someone knowing that there is someone with them. It takes a certain capacity to attune to what someone is feeling and just be with it and with them without wanting to fix or change it, but this is what makes people feel seen.
I was about to build my website when I got my headshot. In one of the photos, my glasses were slightly crooked, and I said, ‘This is a great shot! Let’s go with the slightly quirky human aspect!’ We both laughed about it but Alissa agreed that it matched my personality and where I am at this time.
I will work with Alissa again. It was a really enjoyable experience with a super professional. She created a lovely environment for me to shine.”