Toni Lifsey
Healing starts with a conversation
About
I know what it feels like to be small, insignificant, or like a fraud when shame, sadness, anxiety, fear, or trauma stand in the way of your authentic self. As a Certified Trauma Care Practitioner, it is a blessing to walk beside you on your healing journey. I will help you find your voice, embrace your truth, and carve out a path that is uniquely yours. Trauma recovery coaching differs from therapy because you remain in control. It is a client led process.
I am a survivor just like you, and together we will work as peers and collaborators on your journey toward wholeness. No one knows you better than you know yourself or who you are meant to become, and I am excited to explore those possibilities with you. I do not view this as a job but as a calling—it is my ministry to fellow survivors. I believe God has placed me here to guide and support you, and I am so grateful you are here.
You are not alone.
Packages
Clarity Coaching (Biweekly Support)
Trauma-informed coaching twice a month for steady emotional clarity, spiritual grounding, and ongoing support.
SOS Connection Calls
30-minute SOS Connection Calls are available to existing clients who are moving through an especially heavy or destabilizing moment between scheduled sessions.
Testimonials
"Toni was so supportive and helped me see where I was being hard on myself as I was feeling stuck with some inner critic banter blocking my way in life. She showed her compassionate heart and uplifting personality that helped me get out of my funk and see the brighter side of life. I would recommend Toni to anyone looking for a coach!"
- Jill P.
"Working with Toni has been such a healing experience. Her genuine empathy and gentle nature made it so easy for me to feel safe and open up. She helped me become more self aware and make connections that I haven’t made until I started working with her. She celebrates my wins with me which encourages me to move forward when it gets tough. I couldn’t ask for a better person and coach to work with on my trauma recovery path. I also love that we get to laugh together when things are funny. Her holistic, authentic and compassionate presence has been a gift to me that I cherish and am so grateful for!"
- Sunja M.
Healing is sacred work, and you don't have to do it alone.
Let's have a friendly chat and discover if we're a fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Trauma Recovery Coaching different from other types of coaching?
Trauma Recovery Coaching is different than other types of coaching because we do look at the past traumas, and how they have affected clients in the present day. Other types of coaching look only at the present/future with clients, and don’t dig down to find the root of how a client’s experience has been colored by developmental trauma. We do not use structured theories, diagnose/assess mental illness or tell clients what they should do in a given situation. We do discuss options, look at areas of potential growth, set recovery goals and view experiences, positive or negative as learning opportunities, guiding the client to see the best potential outcome for them. There is a distinct equality to the relationship, we support the client no matter what they choose to do, always validating, and understanding how they got here. The client is responsible for the outcome and growth. Trauma Recovery Coaches work in the aftereffects of trauma: codependency, shame, addiction, self-harm, focus on self-care and self-compassion, with tools to manage daily life as a survivor who is healing.
(Responses provided by Jennifer Kindera and Linda Meredith)
(Responses provided by Jennifer Kindera and Linda Meredith)
How will I know if coaching will help me?
We'll have consultation up front via Zoom. We'll get to know each other, talk about the coaching process, and the changes and benefits you are likely to experience. It's a chance to see if we will be a fit working together. I will answer any questions you have, empowering you to make a fully informed decision about what is best for you.
What is it like to work with a Trauma Recovery Coach?
Trauma Recovery Coaching offers an honest and compassionate space for the unfolding of your healing journey. The goal is to help the client address the issues that hinder them from living more fully, deeply and with greater satisfaction. We explore at the client’s pace, the broken core beliefs that trauma/abuse teaches us, and how those are affecting you today. Setting small recovery goals, and succeeding in reaching them, looking at your strengths, celebrating the small victories as well as the big wins, reframing negative narratives to learning opportunities. Clients often comment that Trauma Recovery Coaching was the first relationship they felt they could actually believe in. Teaching clients healthy coping skills and tools to stabilize their lives in the short term. We work collaboratively and foster a safe space. Integrating psychoeducation, the neuroscience of trauma, somatic recognition and trigger tools, together we can manage the symptoms of complex trauma, increase awareness and create experiences for growth and healing.
(Responses provided by Jennifer Kindera and Linda Meredith)
(Responses provided by Jennifer Kindera and Linda Meredith)
Why do I need to buy a package of sessions?
This is because it is necessary to have commitment and accountability established, so that you experience real and lasting changes in your life. You have to want your changes so much that you commit to showing up to regular sessions, prepared to do the work. This is the way you empower yourself, as well as conquer any fears that may have previously sabotaged you making changes.
I don’t feel comfortable talking to a stranger about my trauma experiences. Do I have to tell you everything about my past?
Only if you choose to. It is not necessary for the details of any situation to be shared. The great thing about trauma recovery coaching is that the techniques and skills are aimed at correcting issues affecting you in the present not the past. Coaching aims to build upon the strengths and knowledge that you already have and looks at finding solutions to problems rather than focusing on the causes. The entire coaching process is client-led.
Why do I need to fill out paperwork or a consultation form before I have a session?
A quality coaching session begins with a thorough intake to discover the particular thoughts, beliefs, patterns and attitudes that are driving the behaviors that you want to change, as well as gaining clarity about the goals and outcomes you want to accomplish. Completing the initial intake form allows me to get to know your heart and expectations before our session begins.
How many sessions will I need?
This is completely up to you and your commitment level.
Trauma recovery coaching is a process like any other type of healing process. It takes times. How much time is determined by each client's individual needs. During our time together we will work to uncover many negative thoughts, attitudes and beliefs that influence your behaviors. We will enlist varies methods to change those negatives into positives. But to get the most out of your coaching experience you will need to practice what you learn in our sessions in your daily. It takes commitment to see the change you want to achieve. I believe you can do it!
Trauma recovery coaching is a process like any other type of healing process. It takes times. How much time is determined by each client's individual needs. During our time together we will work to uncover many negative thoughts, attitudes and beliefs that influence your behaviors. We will enlist varies methods to change those negatives into positives. But to get the most out of your coaching experience you will need to practice what you learn in our sessions in your daily. It takes commitment to see the change you want to achieve. I believe you can do it!
Let's Connect