Heather Shaughnessy-Cato, MA, NBC-HWC
Hi, I’m Heather Shaughnessy-Cato, a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher and National Board–Certified Health & Wellness Coach. I support emotional well-being and sustainable change through coaching and mind–body–based teaching.
I work with thoughtful, capable people who carry a lot—responsibility, care for others, high expectations—and who want steadier ways to meet stress, pressure, and transition without losing themselves in the process.
My background spans nonprofit and higher education development, where I worked closely with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and boards around complex initiatives and decision-making. That experience continues to inform how I support people who are navigating responsibility, change, and uncertainty while trying to stay grounded and clear.
I also bring clinical experience from my work as a former staff therapist at Vassar College, along with hospital-based training supporting individuals and families through medical crisis, loss, and acute anxiety. These settings shaped my respect for real-time stress—and for approaches that are both compassionate and practical.
I’m drawn to self-compassion because it has been essential in my own life—and continues to be. I value evidence-based approaches and stay engaged with ongoing research in mindfulness, self-compassion, and the science of well-being. Just as importantly, I care deeply about how these practices translate into everyday life—when things are hard, when decisions feel heavy, or when insight alone isn’t enough.
My approach is grounded, relational, and practical. I help people understand their inner experience with clarity and compassion, and develop skills that support steadiness, discernment, and meaningful next steps—without burnout or self-criticism.
I’ve been teaching yoga since 2010, with a sustained focus on mindfulness, stress regulation, and emotional well-being. Mindfulness and contemplative practice were central to my graduate training and continue to shape how I work today. I offer 1:1 coaching, group workshops and courses, and community-based programs, both in person and online.
Across all settings, my work emphasizes evidence-based practices that people can actually use—in real moments, under real pressure.
I live in Maine and offer virtual and in-person work. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy gardening, riding my bike, traveling, and savoring the everyday delights of life along the coast.
Training & Background (Selected)
- National Board–Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
- Certified Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher
(including training in Fierce Self-Compassion) - Designing Your Life Coach & Facilitator Training
- Trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor
- Former staff therapist (under supervision during licensure)
- Former Director of Development (higher education)
Education
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, summa cum laude
- B.A. in Psychology & Sociology
A Note on Trauma-Informed Care
Because trauma is so common, I have sought out training to make my work as respectful and inclusive as possible.
While I do not provide therapy or trauma treatment, I offer mindfulness and self-compassion practices with attention to safety, choice, and pacing. My work focuses on present-day skill-building and well-being, and it may complement—though not replace—therapeutic care.
