Alisha Adrian

About Me

My strengths as a parent coach come from three main sources: my personal experience, my Jai training, and my study of trauma. I have three adult children who are living wonderful lives pursuing their dreams. In addition, each of them choose to invite me, their dad, and each other into their lives. We are a well-connected family, even though their dad and I are no longer married. I was their primary parent as they were growing up, working to create safety in hearts, minds, and bodies through connections grounded in love. I was an intentional parent, thinking and feeling my way. It was not easy; I worked hard at parenting. Parenting was challenging for me as it is for every parent. I particularly struggled with remaining in touch with the other aspects of myself - What am I in addition to mother and wife? Especially when children are young, being a parent can overshadow other parts of ourselves.

My training with Jai helped me to name many aspects of my earlier parenting. I learned the technicolor details of different theories and practices, such as non-violent communication and setting boundaries based on family values, which I had intuitively done in black and white with my own children. My Jai training also expanded my coaching abilities which I first learned as a college-level instructor. The neurobiology and emotional regulation taught at Jai was already familiar from many years of studying trauma. Initially, my interest in trauma was focused on my own journey of healing. As my journey continued, I became more interested in how I could help those around me to heal as well.

I believe that every generation wants to give their children the best environment to thrive as human beings. New understandings from scientific studies have shown that physical, emotional, and psychological safety and connection are necessary for thriving. Yet how do we give something to our children that we did not have ourselves? One answer is to work with a parent coach to learn what you need to know and practice what you need to do within a supportive, non-judgmental coach-client relationship.

When I am not coaching, I am usually learning or creating. I actively think about things most of my waking hours, often in conversations with friends and colleagues. I love to read both fiction and non-fiction. I create through crocheting, painting (Foundation for Hospital Art), writing, and problem solving. I enjoy pulling weeds and swimming in the ocean as meditation.