More self-kindness. More self-trust.
Coaching and workshops grounded in mindfulness and self-compassion.
When someone we care about is having a hard time, we might listen, offer perspective, and try to understand what they need.
But when we’re the ones struggling, that same care can be harder to find. Instead, we may be quick to judge ourselves: I shouldn’t feel this way. I should know better. I should have figured this out already.
There’s another way.
Mindfulness and self-compassion aren’t qualities that some have and others don’t. They’re skills and capacities we can practice and develop.
My work offers space to slow down, feel seen, and practice offering yourself the same attention and understanding you so readily give others. Together, we make room to notice what you’re thinking and feeling with more kindness and curiosity.
From that space, you can begin to see things differently, recognize what you need, and explore practical ways to support yourself—and address whatever you’re navigating with greater clarity and confidence.
Over time, you can bring that same awareness and compassion into everyday life.
My approach
I bring together research-informed practices, reflection, and practical application.
Self-compassion
Learning to offer yourself the kindness and understanding you’d give someone you care about—especially when things are hard. Less harshness, more support for yourself.
Mindfulness
Making room to notice what’s happening, within and around you, with curiosity rather than judgment. A chance to pause, reconnect with yourself, and respond with greater awareness.
Practical action
Turning insight into meaningful steps forward. From a more grounded, resourced place, you can explore possibilities, solve problems, and try small, doable experiments—learning what works and what to try next.
Coaching
Coaching is support for now and what’s next: working through something hard, or toward something you want. It often starts with a simple question: What do you want to be different? For example:
- Handling a change at work, at home, or in your health
- A decision without an obvious answer
- A goal you can’t seem to make headway on
- Growing qualities you want more of, like confidence, steadiness, self-compassion, or self-trust
Sessions are warm and unhurried. We make room for both: working through whatever brings you to coaching, and noticing how you’re relating to yourself in the midst of it.
Workshops and Classes
Learning in a group offers something different: time to pause, shared practice, new perspectives, and the reminder that you’re not alone.
My workshops and classes offer practical ways to bring mindfulness and self-compassion into everyday life.
About me
Self-compassion, mindfulness, and yoga helped me slow down, hear myself, and truly support myself. For more than 15 years, I’ve shared them through teaching, counseling, and coaching.
National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach · Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher · MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling · Yoga teacher since 2011
What clients are saying
“With your gentle and insightful guidance, I was able to shift some long-ingrained patterns of harsh self-judgment — and got so much more out of it than I could have possibly imagined.” — Coaching client
“You’ve ushered me from a frustrated to an optimistic mindset in such an enjoyable way. I have immense appreciation. Thank you!” — Coaching client
“The facilitation was superb. I felt the presence and kindness of Heather in each session. She is especially skilled at asking open-ended questions with curiosity and kindness that draw out more of the participants’ experiences.” — Mindful Self-Compassion participant
Let’s talk.
Curious about working together? Let’s make space to talk about what you’re navigating, what you’re hoping for, and whether my approach might be a good fit.
Subscribe
Monthly reflections and resources on self-compassion.
Guided Meditations
Free audio meditations in mindfulness and self-compassion.
Blog posts
Reflections on self-compassion.
© 2026 Heather Shaughnessy-Cato. All rights reserved.