About Risa

I know what it takes to have a loving, committed, cherishing marriage with deep respect and integrity, because of my husband, Opher. And from my first marriage, I know the devastating effects of dishonesty, disconnection and destructive interactions. 

I know what it’s like to hold on to a destructive friendship for years because I couldn’t say no more. And I know how it feels to be confused and hurt in work relationships. I’ve experienced being taken for granted, judged and hurt by the very people I mentored in the business. 

The pain that came from these relationships was all too real. What part was mine and what was not? What part was someone else’s, and what was not?

These experiences deepened my commitment to improving the quality of all relationships for myself and others. We are all on this journey of improving ourselves and our personal connections, and it is a lifelong pursuit.

 

Education and background.

  

I’m committed to pursuing cutting-edge knowledge to guide my work. My master’s degree in marriage and family therapy is from the University of Maryland. I’m honored to have had several wonderful mentors help hone my approach as a coach and therapist. 

I’m fortunate to count my former supervisor, Esther Perel (author of “Mating in Captivity” and “The State of Affairs”) among these mentors. Also, I’m certified in Relational Life Coaching with Terry Real (author of “The New Rules of Marriage” and “I Don’t Want to Talk About It”).

Additionally, I completed my certification in Coaching through the Coach with Clarity program, so that I can combine my expert level of therapy skills with the skills of coaching to more powerfully support the transformation my clients seek.

Lessons from my parents’ entrepreneurial journey have also influenced me. They owned two successful roller skating rinks, (It was the 70s! Disco music, all-night skates, pom poms and pinball!) a business card printing company, (a bit before everyone had a personal computer) and an accounting firm. 

I share their entrepreneurial spirit. This and my desire to help people with their relationships moved me to launch a counseling practice and Relationship Intelligence Coaching.

 

 

Hard work and heart.

  

As a child, I learned self-discipline, focus, and determination through competitive roller skating. My parents instilled in me integrity, hard work, love, acceptance, and empathy.

I’ve completed the Marine Corps Marathon four times, the Disney Marathon once, and numerous half marathons. (You know I had to weave that in here to be a true runner.) I’ve been a Team In Training mentor for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. With the help of generous donors, my family and I raised over $30,000 for the LLS in memory of my mother and her battle with multiple myeloma.

I’m also a wife, mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, dog mom, and chocolate lover. I enjoy kayaking, paddle-boarding, fall festivals, and singing Broadway tunes with my daughter at the top of our lungs in the car. Perhaps someday, I’ll take that passion to a local stage.

I bring this work ethic and deep caring for people to my coaching. Let’s talk about how relationship coaching can build your relationships IQ.

Improve the quality of all your relationships and your life,
Risa