Amanda Blaine, Portland, Oregon

“ It’s hard to think of something to say about Aya that doesn’t sound like exaggeration or cliche. At the end of the session, she asks, “How are you feeling now?” Today, as usual, I could hardly keep from interrupting her. “I can’t wait!!!” I practically yelled, “I want to have this conversation right now!!!” Everything had shifted from when we started an hour ago, from when I started with a lot of ‘um’-ing and ‘ah’-ing, dancing around a topic that I was almost too embarrassed to say out loud. Her care, insight, and matter-of-factness about even the most personal and tender subjects helps me open up, first, then come into self-connection, and finally into fully confident celebration. She combines empathic presence with no-nonsense coaching in a way that has led to so much growth and learning for me this year. ”