Heather Shaughnessy-Cato
- MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Mindful Self-Compassion Trained Teacher
- Certified Yoga Teacher (200 hour)
- Certified Designing Your Life (DYL) Facilitator and Coach
Healing the heart is my favorite topic to explore, study and teach. I have found immense healing, insight and wisdom in my own life through these embodied practices. I am delighted to also be positioned to teach these practices. I hope to have the opportunity to work with you, and to see what we might discover!
I am based in Maine, and am currently offering virtual workshops, courses and private sessions.
My approach
With a background in clinical mental health counseling and mind-body trainings, I incorporate a range of evidence-based practices into my work. While it can be helpful to understand things conceptually, I have found tremendous value in embodied exploration— noticing our experiences with the mind, body, and heart.
As a teacher and facilitator, it is my role to share the wisdom of various practices, the science and research which support their efficacy, to encourage you to creatively engage with the practices, and to support you as you apply what you learn to navigate the realities in your own life.
Through my personal practice, I have an appreciation for varied challenges that present themselves along the path to transformation and change. I therefore tend to approach teaching with some humility, humor and an invitation to be honest about and learn from all of our experiences.
I continue to be inspired by the clients and students with whom I have worked — by the creative ways in which they applied wisdom teachings to get unstuck, to grow in their ability to love themselves, and to face heartbreaking realities with courage and resilience. One of the greatest benefits of teaching and continued practice is learning from and being inspired by others.
My background
Summary of my experience
- Co-founder and Partner, Fieldbrook Advising (my services are under the umbrella of Fieldbrook Advising LLC)
- 3 years as a counselor/therapist
- 10+ years teaching mind-body practices (yoga, mindfulness, self-compassion)
- 10+ years experience in development for non-profits and in higher-education
- Part-time “stay at home” parent (or unsung hero – I haven’t found an appropriate title for this role yet. Please let me know if you have one!)
Education
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Summa Cum Laude, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- B.A. in Psychology, B.A. in Sociology, State University of New York at Geneseo
Professional Certifications and Trainings
- Mindful Self-Compassion Trained Teacher
- Certified Yoga Teacher (200 hour)
- Certified Designing Your Life (DYL) Facilitator and Coach
Other areas of professional development:
Mindfulness:
- Graduate-level coursework and clinical training on mindfulness for emotional wellbeing
- Completed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Intensive
Trauma-Informed Trainings:
- Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training
- Trauma-Informed Children’s Yoga Training
- The Body Keeps the Score Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk
Health and Wellness Coaching:
- I am currently engaged in the path to certification in Health and Wellness Coaching.
Services offered as part of Fieldbrook Advising, LLC
