ABOUT CYNTHIA
I know what it’s like
when work takes up far too much space in your head.
And I also know it doesn’t have to stay that way.
That’s why I do this work.
I offer 1:1 coaching for professionals who can’t leave work at work, especially when they’re overthinking every interaction or taking on more than is really theirs to carry.
I help them see the situation more clearly, respond differently, and decide what needs to change.
When work keeps following you home
the problem usually isn’t just the workload.
Often, one of two things is happening.
1) You're replaying conversations, questioning yourself, anticipating what could go wrong, or giving too much weight to someone else’s reaction.
2) You're taking on too much responsibility—for the work, the outcome, the relationship, or how other people feel.
Sometimes it’s both.
That’s why I don’t believe the answer is always “set a boundary", and it's certainly not “think more positively”! First, you have to understand what’s actually happening: what belongs to you, what belongs to someone else, and what the environment is contributing. Then you look at what's in your control to change, adapt, or accept.
The clarity this perspective brings will allow you to respond more deliberately instead of carrying the whole situation around in your head, and you can make better choices about what comes next.
How do I know all this?
Well, early in my career I had a supervisor who could be supportive one day and demeaning the next. At times he criticized me publicly; other times he said negative things about me behind my back.
And I spent a lot of time trying to make sense of it.
I replayed conversations. I defended myself in my head. I looked for evidence that I was right and he was wrong. I talked about it endlessly with a trusted coworker, which made me feel understood for a little while but didn’t actually help me change anything.
I had worked for years to build a career in a highly competitive field, and my household depended heavily on my job for financial security.
The stakes felt enormous.
But the intensity wasn’t only about this supervisor. I was taking workplace interactions far more personally than I realized, and when something set me off, I had trouble creating enough distance to see what was mine, what was theirs, and what was actually happening between us.
And I was beginning to understand something graduate school hadn’t really prepared me for: much of the job was relational.
Being good at the work itself wasn’t enough.
Relationships—with colleagues, students, supervisors—mattered enormously. All work is relational.
Once I understood that, I could see those relationships more clearly. His reactions to me were just that—his reactions. They were shaped by his own insecurities, expectations, and perceptions, not some objective measure of who I was or how well I was doing my job.
What finally helped was learning to separate three things I had tangled together: his behavior, the environment I was in, and my own part in the situation.
I had to look at things honestly, too. As I gained experience—and eventually moved into leadership myself—I came to understand much more about my own role in workplace relationships and the effect I could have on other people.
And the relationship with the supervisor was complicated. He could also be supportive, and there were things he did for me that I genuinely appreciated.
Workplace relationships are rarely black and white.
Once I could separate those things, I stopped spending so much energy trying to prove my case in my own head—and started paying more attention to what was actually mine to understand, learn from, or change.
I still looked honestly at my own part. I just stopped giving someone else’s version of me so much authority.
Years later, I became his supervisor. When he came up for promotion, I was able to see his strengths without letting old hurt dictate my decisions. I supported him, and we had some frank conversations about how his intentions didn't always match how others experienced him.
We never became friends, but I could finally relate to him with more perspective and compassion, without losing sight of my own experience.
How this shapes the way I coach
I won’t assume I know what the answer is for you.
Together we look honestly at what’s happening, including the parts that may be uncomfortable, without oversimplifying the situation or rushing to a conclusion.
My role is to ask the questions that help you notice patterns, challenge your thinking when it’s useful, and find a way forward that actually fits you.
What belongs to the other person?
What belongs to the workplace environment?
What's happening inside of you?
What can you influence, and what is not in your control?
We get clear on what’s really going on... and what you’re going to do about it.
What my clients are saying...
Jaclyn
Univ. of Calgary
Working with Cynthia was like coming up for air or taking a deep, rib-stretching breath for the first time. I put less energy into worrying that I’m not doing enough and became more pragmatic about balancing my work with mothering my daughter. I’m now content to shut off during the limited time I get with her without feeling guilty that I should be working or writing. Cynthia was a kind, reliable, compassionate, and encouraging coach. She stood firm in coaching me to find solutions that made sense for me and helped me set boundaries, manage expectations and workload, and think differently about how I make decisions.
Sharron
Senior Instructional Consultant
I wasn't entirely sure what I needed when I first signed up for coaching, but it became clear almost immediately that boundary setting was at the heart of everything. I had tried therapy before, but I kept being told I was already doing all the right things. Coaching turned out to be the missing piece. In just six sessions, my concerns were addressed beyond anything I could have asked for. I've found ways to set boundaries without abandoning my desire to help others. I just do it on my own terms, in my own time. That shift has given me something I didn't realize I was missing - respect for myself. What surprised me the most was discovering that I actually have the ability to say no, or not right now, and everyone survives it. I have had conversations I never would have had six months ago, pushed myself well outside my comfort zone, and come out the other side feeling genuinely good about it. The coaching experience itself felt like having an inner voice finally asking all the right questions. Cynthia has this remarkable ability to see straight to the root of my insecurities and help me understand why I was struggling in the first place. If you are a constant self-doubter or unsure of your abilities, coaching sessions with Cynthia are a powerful way to find the strength that has always been there. She gives you someone willing to push you toward the uncomfortable things.
Melissa
Associate Professor
These sessions were able to fill the gap of what counseling hadn't been able to do in the last year or two. I've started thinking more about why I am doing some of what fills my schedule and using my values as a litmus test of sorts when deciding whether to add another commitment. Coaching with Cynthia helped me talk through issues or goals by asking great questions that prompted deep reflection.
A little more about me, outside of work
I love my rescue dog, Scout. Actually, I love all dogs. They’re little spiritual teachers showing us how to appreciate the world in the moment. He came with me when I moved to my new home in southern Switzerland...so now he even understands some Italian!
I live in Switzerland most of the year, and travel back to Wisconsin a few moths each year. I'm fortunate to have two "home bases" in beautiful surroundings. When coaching with me you will definitely be subjected to many nature metaphors!
When not hiking with Scout or coaching clients, I make art mosaics. I use stones I collect while hiking, Italian "smalti", and stained glass. I love that making mosaics means making something whole out of things that are broken...even when the artist is the one breaking them.
