life
transformation coaching
Do you want to experience more freedom, joy, and sense of purpose?
To deepen your connection to your authentic self?
Live a life you truly love?
If you sense that there is more, but you aren’t sure how to get there, let’s talk.
I’ll ask questions that take you deeper into your own knowing.
I’ll help you unpack and release limiting beliefs you may have been holding onto for decades.
And I’ll support you steadily through this phase of your journey, which is necessary in order to bring you into the full depth of your being and range of your gifts.
But how, exactly?
I draw from a rich background of mind, body, and nervous system practices to help you unearth your authentic self.
I’ve been practicing Insight Meditation in retreats and daily life since 2002, and teaching since 2012. I am a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie, a powerful practice for exploring and transforming painful beliefs. I’ve been practicing Authentic Movement and Somatic Experiencing (mindfulness of the nervous system) since 2014, and various forms of dance (Ecstatic, Contact Improvisation, Biodanza) since 2011.
I believe everything we experience is here to set us free.
Having had my own extended experience of the Dark Night of the Soul, I often work with people going through such a period, which I view as an initiation into the next level of our being–a portal into greater light. I have seen for myself that what I consider obstacles in life are ultimately gifts. And when I open to them, they take me further than I dreamed possible.
I believe the process of healing and awakening—of coming into one’s full experience and expression of being—is in essence creative.
It requires the same skills as any art: a willingness to meet the unknown, to listen closely, and to respond creatively.
It will lead us right into freedom.
Here’s what to expect from this powerful one-on-one session:
● You’ll gain insights to the blocks that keep you mired in pain or dissatisfaction.
● You’ll glimpse how these obstacles can be your allies—when worked with skillfully, they can actually serve as an initiation into your next level of expansion and expression.
● I’ll use my twenty years of experience as a spiritual practitioner, teacher, and coach to offer you specific, tangible steps you can implement to move toward joy, ease, and full aliveness.
And if it’s a mutual fit and feels aligned, I’ll share more about how I can help you step further into freedom and fulfillment.
APPLY FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTARY SESSION
…Because you weren’t born to suffer, not by a long stretch! On the contrary: You were born to know the beauty and joy of your true nature.
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“It is impossible to fully express what a profound impact Marisa has had (and continues to have) on my life and creative practices. Marisa is everything I could possibly wish for in a mentor and a guide. A creative coach, life coach and spiritual teacher combined, Marisa brings depth, wisdom, creativity, and gentle holding to all our interactions. Her holistic methods help to uncover creative blocks at the root and to gently alchemize them into great sources of power and strength. With her encouragement, I have developed my own self-help and creative practices, and I feel myself constantly opening into greater and deeper levels of self. Working with Marisa is a true privilege and a gift. G-d bless.”
–S. Farkas
“Marisa has such kindness, warmth, and depth of knowledge. Thanks to her expert guidance and support, I’ve been able to explore and process loss and trauma I’d been holding onto for five years.”
–Nancy P.
“I am fascinated by Marisa’s unique ability to guide me past a monumental amount of crap and get to the heart of matter. After every session I have experienced lasting and growing resolution with each long-suffered subject. I’m always shocked. I’ve been trying to heal this for forty years, searching for an exit door. I never have to be locked in again.”
–S.P.
“Working with Marisa has been truly magical and transformative, expanding my life in exciting ways. I found Marisa when she led a workshop at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and I was drawn to her kind, peaceful and creative energy. I’ve been in therapy and consider it helpful, but my sessions with Marisa help me take my life to the next level to achieve my goals on a soul level. I consider my time with her to be worth its weight in gold!”
–Jenny S.
“Marisa, a constant thank you for our beautiful sessions. I always feel so gently held and more healed afterwards. Your presence is a balm and your guidance has been such a light and precious gift. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to you.”
–L. A.
“Marisa is among the great teachers of my life. I’ve always felt DEEPLY held by the empathic and intuitive space that Marisa embodies. What a gift to have such a powerful witness and guide to work and play with the goals and challenges of my life. In her wise and gentle way, Marisa has opened up layers of inquiry into my heart, into my life. I tape each session and allow insights to move through me afterwards. After six months, at the very onset of the pandemic, I invented a transformational game to help myself and others achieve our highest goals. I would not have been able to do this without Marisa’s coaching; in fact it cleared the way. The planting and cultivating we’ve done together continue to bring a ripe harvest into my life. I cannot recommend Marisa’s work highly enough.”
–T.E.
“Marisa is a truly insightful, engaged and compassionate teacher and coach. Working with her has brought substantial improvements in my life and my ability to deal with life’s hurdles, from self-doubt and social anxiety to procrastination. I find her approach and coaching style to be caring and straightforward, exactly what I needed to be able to open up about my difficult experiences and inner voices. She merges inquiry, active listening, sharing insights and problem-solving seamlessly, and I always feel very comfortable and very accepted with her. I leave every session with a feeling of relief, warmth and excitement. I am so grateful to have her.”
–Xueling S.
“Marisa is highly skilled and deeply intuitive, inviting wholeness, integrity, and celebration into each session. I feel met and challenged, invited deeply into my own life and process with great honesty and compassion. Since I have begun working with Marisa, I have seen subtle, yet profound shifts in my day-to-day life, in how I relate to my work, my relationships, and my daily spiritual practice. I feel a greater capacity to hold the many pieces of my life, while learning to relax, soften, and celebrate in compassion and grace. Above all, I feel I have a safe, caring, and wise mentor who holds me accountable in my commitments to what I want and what I value.”
–Verana
“Marisa has a unique ability to “dig deep fast” to get in touch with key issues, and she does so in a gentle, supportive and respectful way. Her intuitive feedback has been most helpful, and was often oblivious to me before. For the past two years she has helped me deal with relationship and business challenges as well as some of life’s bigger issues. Marisa has a great depth of knowledge and intuition, and I always feel uplifted and enlightened after our coaching sessions.”
–Jon S.
“I began working with Marisa in a small group she facilitated following a workshop on the Dark Night of the Soul she taught at CIIS. The experience has been truly transformative for me. Marisa created a safe, grounded space where we feel free to explore our most guarded vulnerabilities and the unique patterns of reactivity that have led us to suffering. She combines profound wisdom, compassion and intuitive listening with the teaching of practical tools that invite inquiry, encourage greater self-awareness and ultimately lead to freedom. I’ve left every session with Marisa feeling better equipped to be with what is and to meet challenges and obstacles with courage, curiosity and compassion. I am so deeply grateful to be engaging in this work with her open-hearted insight and expansive perspective. She is a gift.”
–Christy Ponte
“After my first exposure to “The Work of Byron Katie” at a Spirit Rock retreat facilitated by Marisa, I was eager to join the follow-up group she generously offered. Our sessions together were meaningful and profound, and a shift has occurred in my ability to manage the thoughts that previously led me down a path of unnecessary suffering. Marisa is a powerful and courageous teacher, and her compassion and commitment to her values made her someone I just wanted to be around, maybe hoping some would rub off.”
–NJK
“Marisa was SO instrumental in helping me wend my way through my “dark night of the soul!” I was in the midst of my experience when I attended a workshop called “Through the Dark Night” at Spirit Rock at which Marisa Handler was teaching. Marisa offered very viable tools as we moved through this very confusing time. When we asked for further support, Marisa heard our need and responded to it. I attended the monthly group and was so encouraged and supported by Marisa’s presence, guidance, and care. Marisa walks her talk; she leads with heart, empathy & compassion as well as amazing spiritual expertise!”
–Lynda Zimmerman
“Who would’ve thought of facing the pain instead of turning away?
And that this might just be the most reasonable thing to do?
But how?
What better way to learn than with a kind and caring teacher?
Marisa generously shared her own vulnerability so we could see how skill and courage can heal it – inspiring!
Next, she compassionately and unflinchingly guided us in our own process – transformative!
Thank you, Marisa, for sharing your gift with us who need it.”
–M.G.
“I met Marisa at a workshop she co-taught at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. After the workshop, I joined a small group she facilitated to dive deeper into The Work of Byron Katie. It was eye-opening and worthwhile. Marisa’s communication is crystal clear, and she has great insight. The one-on-one coaching session I had with her was particularly helpful in addressing a personal challenge. Whether for group or private sessions, I recommend Marisa highly.”
–J.M.
“Having studied with Marisa in the innovative “Dark Night” class she co-led at Spirit Rock and then in smaller group follow up sessions, I was impressed by her skills as an intuitive listener with the ability to catalyze thought. She is a brave brilliant free soul and artist with balance earned through effort. As listening may be said to be the soul of guidance in any task, you may find sustenance from words well chosen by this teacher.”
–Robert Fried