"...and then the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." -- Anais Nin

Hi, I'm Ilene. I've been practicing as a clinical counselor and consultant in the personal development field for as long as I can remember. I have been fortunate to practice in so many completely different ways - from developing and delivering specialized training programs to facilitating personal rejuvenation retreats - from providing traditional psychotherapy to practicing energy psychology - from dominant culture organizational consulting to cross cultural consulting.

In my coaching practice, I have helped many people create more satisfying lives. Some found the meaning they felt they were missing; some accomplished specific goals they had given up on, some improved their relationships; some found a satisfying balance between their work and personal lives; some reviewed their priorities and changed the way they'd been spending their time to truly reflect their highest priorities; people and organizations found ways to make decisions in accordance with their deepest values and to increase their awareness and enjoyment of the process... I have been helpful as a catalyst for lasting, positive change for many individuals, families and organizations and am ready to help you.

A couple of years ago I had the great fortune to be trained in life coaching by the woman recently labeled by NPR and Psychology Today as the "best known life coach in America," and described by Oprah Winfrey "one of the smartest people I know" Martha Beck.

Drawing from her Harvard undergraduate studies in Chinese Culture and doctoral research on adult learning models, her work at Harvard Business School, and her practical experience with individual clients, small groups, and corporations, Martha Beck has developed a treasure chest of state-of-the-art techniques that have helped thousands of people make significant, positive changes in their lives.

I am delighted to be one of Martha Beck's Certified Coaches offering, through my business, OKANOGAN CALL, quality of life coaching to individuals and organizations as well as private, personalized rejuvenation retreats.

The uniqueness that I bring to my practice I owe to my many teachers and experiences in Atlin, in the far northwestern corner of British Columbia, where a large piece of my therapeutic worldview was shaped.

There I worked as community counsellor and consultant, primarily with First Nations people. These cross-cultural experiences challenged me greatly, and although I made more than my share of mistakes along the way, these experiences were the opportunities that helped me learn, at a very deep level, to value, even cherish human differences.

Years ago, Antonia Jack, Crow Clan elder of Taku River Tlingit First Nation, welcomed me into her family in a traditional adoption ceremony (Potlach) and gave me the Tlingit name Yeil Tlaá (Crow's Mother). Her love and teachings have profoundly affected my life and work and I want to honor her here.

My counseling work is expansive and includes a wide range of modalities from cognitive behavioral therapy to energy psychology. As it has in my clinical practice proven to produce lasting positive change, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) has become a big piece of my work.

I believe that the quality of the relationship between the counselor and client is extremely important in the healing process. The therapeutic relationship works through a magical combination of mutual respect, hard work, a good fit and good luck. It differs from ordinary relationships because, in counseling, we are both there to focus on your needs: you never have to take turns or worry about my feeling.

As a counselor my goal is to help you get to the heart of your challenges, tmove through the tough spots, and find a deeper level of knowing and inner wholeness. My counseling style is empathetic yet direct. I believe we all posess an innate ability to restore balance, heal and reach our true potential(s). My work simply helps remove barriers to this natural process.

I provide professional, confidential "brief solution-focussed" as well as "longer range explorative" therapy for individuals, couples and families.

My experience as a consultant has included health and human services program development, evaluation and rennovation; development and delivery of modular "block training" for human service workers; long range community health planning; and stress management and strategy-building retreats for employees.

    Ilene Hart, MC, LMHC, LPC
Martha Beck Certified Life Coach
952 Roger Street
Okanogan, WA 98840
Toll Free: (800) 550-3922 or (206) 548-4707

For information and scheduling, please call Ilene Hart at (800) 550-3922 or e-mail her coachilene@gmail.com.