We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monique Gomez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monique below.
Monique, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
After pivoting out of mental health counseling due to taking a risk by prematurely opening a private practice. I stumbled upon continuing education with a coaching certification called Trauma and Resilience Life Coach. In this program, I was able to learn the history of Psychiatry and the field in general as well as a major perspective of health that was never taught in my six years of post-secondary education. This perspective called Salutogentics validated my thoughts of healing and supporting people in trauma. Salutogenic Perspective has more than thirty years of research on leading people to health instead of the pathogenic our world uses of having a “fix” for symptoms. This perspective assumes the competencies of all humans. This viewpoint encompasses self-regulation, addressing a significant gap in the treatment provided to many individuals whom I had served in the past. Now, the clients I serve understand the concept that self-regulation needs to be the primary goal before implementing other approaches or tools. This led me to my soul- purpose in supporting people through their history to build self-trust, and self-confidence to get the life that they want.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, and Trauma and Resilience Life Coach (Trauma Coach for short) with a Masters level education in Social Work. I work with people who have a history of not feeling understood or heard. My clients typically put others’ needs before their own or overwork to accommodate for feeling unworthy. I help women with anxiety and depression heal without retelling their trauma stories. Instead, we work on the growth events in their history to build self trust and love so they can create and choose the life they want. As a former mental health counselor, pivoting into coaching was the correct answer to holistically supporting clients and not simply taking care of symptoms. I currently have a Podcast called Avoidance and Control where I support all people to bring compassion to their reactions as well as share stories of ending generational cycles.
I have two major programs for my coaching containers that support clients on all levels of their healing journey.
I have on going groups and special events for releasing and getting more attuned to your body both in person and virtually.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Self- Forgiveness, Body Awareness, and finding others that are on the same journey as me, have been crucial in my self-development and growth. When my Mental Health License was put on probation, I had the worst thoughts about myself and my life. One of the main things that helped me stay in facts and not my anxiety was that I forgave my insecurities, my lack of knowledge, and my lack of diligence. Forgiveness journals are so fantastic for anyone. Body awareness improves with many tools like massage therapy, self-body scans, and movement or exercise. Finding like mind and similar journey people takes time and putting yourself out there. This means introducing yourself if you are scared to literally anyone becasue you never know which connection is the one for you. Some of those introductions will be for a part of your journey in multiple areas. I was able to find collaboration partners, best friends and got to learn the type of people that I do not want to work with. All three of these were so crucial and remain important at this point in my journey.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I work best with clients who are currently or previously struggling with anxiety, depression, or other diagnoses that affect behaviors and relationships. Most of my clients have histories of neglect in their background, because my ideal client wants to feel seen, heard, and understood. The other type of clients I have for my smaller programs is those people who know there are more body regulation or emotional regulation support that I can support them with. I have clients who keep trying to make habits stick to calming down and not hurting others with their comments or not hurting themselves with their inner critic voice. My clients gain confidence, self-trust, and self-regulation to get the life they want.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldenhandsmassageaz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquegomez_thecoach/
- Other: Avoidance and Control Podcast with Monique Gomez- Apple- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/avoidance-and-control/id1717846722 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/6jgRhE4zdFy6ivYKBGo6Iz
Image Credits
Brandi Marie Photography, AZ
