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Vivienne Simon, JD, CPCC
Coaching Clarity into Action

WHAT SOME OF MY CLIENT'S HAVE TO SAY:

*  Guidance for Those Facing A Terminal Diagnosis and Their Caregivers

"Your depth of insight, clarity, and ability to help people connect to their inner path is truly extraordinary.  Your spirited support through my personal healing journey has been a true gift.  I will be forever grateful I have your loving presence in my life."

Margie Levine, author 
Surviving Cancer

"I will always be grateful to you for your wisdom and support in the wake of my mother's death. You've been both a warm and objective listener, as well as a source for constructive advice and planning. Most importantly, you understood that grieving doesn't simply end after a year, and you've remained available for comfort and perspective even after years have passed and many others seem to assume I have "moved on."  You approach our conversations with a potent combination of spiritual understanding and extremely practical advice. I always leave our meetings feeling both more grounded and more peaceful than I had when I'd arrived."

Amelia S.,  Attorney

"You are the midwife for death—facing it, living it, doing it with open eyes and full heartedly.  You not only have amazing gifts; you are an amazing gift, to everyone whose life you touch. You are truly built for this sacred work."

Morgaine Beck, Coach

"Viv, your coaching was incredible, asking me the right questions and holding me accountable at every step of the way.  One of the key outcomes has been that my brother and I have successfully teamed to place our ailing, and aged mother in a nursing home.  Thanks to the coaching, we found a solution that worked for all of us.  Thank you doesn't begin to express my gratitude for helping us solve a complex and difficult problem."

Erika Keller

"Vivienne brings to conversations the capacity to combine deep listening and presence with innate intuitive ability and an analytical mind.  She is a positive, creative thinker who conveys the compassion, authenticity and wisdom of someone who has faced her own challenges, done her work, and can help others move forward."
 
Gail Epstein, MBA, LICSW
      
* Growing Your Business When You Are Your Business

"I highly recommend Viv Simon as a business coach and consultant. I worked with Viv when I was at a career crest, and looking for a new ways to expand my business and move in new directions.   An astute listener, Viv was able to discern and understand not only the issues that I was dealing with but the mindsets that were standing in the way of achieving my goals. Our sessions became a partnership of exploration of the challenges, opportunities and alternatives that I could take advantage of to diversify and increase my business. I was also able to look at the personal side of business; specifically how patterns of thought and behavior might limit my work alternatives.  I used the resulting information to develop a business partnership with another colleague that enhanced both of our businesses as well as allowing me to devote more time to my personal goals.
 
High achieving people will find Viv easy to work with. Her skills, insights, intelligence and sense of humor made our coaching sessions a fun experience and something to look forward to throughout the process."
 
Roberta Stone, Real Estate Agent

"I went to Vivienne to help determine how to shape the growth of my business, but quickly realized that I had to deal with the triangle of being a mother, a wife and a business owner first.  Vivienne helped me articulate what was important to me and helped me sort through the choices I needed to make in order to create the balance I craved.  Vivienne quickly helped me see the choices that really gave me balance.  By asking some very shrewd questions and making me realize some of my own stories were just stories and not facts, the answers to my questions became clear.  Since our sessions, I’ve focused my commitments to maximize my time with my family and spend my business hours working on productive and beneficial parts of my business.  My life is as close to balanced as I could ever have imagined. I could never have done it without her.   I recommend Vivienne to anyone who is looking for answers to any of life’s questions."
 
Katie McCarron, owner
By The Book, LLC

As soon as I began coaching with Viv Simon, I found out how perceptive she was. She immediately set to work showing me how to "get out of my own way," and to find the answers that were often right in front of me. She is passionate about her work, and gives patient, persistent, gentle guidance. Our coaching dealt with my professional practice, but I found that benefits of her coaching extended to many other aspects of my life.  I feel very fortunate to have worked with Viv.

Peter Stein
Chiropractor

"My wife, father and I came to see Viv to help us define roles for each of us in our family-owned remodeling company.  Viv had us look at what we were already doing and guided a conversation about what we wanted to change.  She has us identify those things that were working well, and helped us figure out how these successful aspects of our business could be a source for understanding how to succeed in other areas of our business and personal relationships.  From there we designed a better allocation of roles & responsibilities. Using the coaching setting as a place to experiment, we also learned, with Vivienne's help, how to discuss problems without being personal or negative. 

Viv is not afraid to stop the conversation and reroute it to where she sees the heart of the issue to be.  If the conversation leads to a dead end or disagreement, Viv is quite good at listening to what is being said and translating it into terms others in the group can better understand.  We've completed our work with Viv at the current time, and it is understood by all of us that we will reach out to her again anytime our sometimes frustrating tangle of family and business relationships need a tune up."

N. Fenton, co-owner
Fenton, Inc.

I went to see Viv because I was feeling stuck about marketing my business.  It became clear very quickly that the real issue was that I needed to find a way to have an employee leave, who wasn’t working out.  Viv  helped me sort out my feelings and options, see patterns in my life that I was playing out in this situation, identify and act on my next steps.  She encouraged me to treat myself like “my best client”.  She is incredibly wise and insightful, very supportive and clear.  I don’t hesitate to refer to Viv.
 
Lee Rachel Jurman, owner
Personal Disability Consulting, Inc.

"I went to Vivienne to help me clarify what I wanted to do with -- and what I wanted from -- my organic skin care products business.  My lack of clarity was preventing my full participation in its success. I needed to either make a solid the commitment to growing the business or change direction. Complicating business decisions were a number of personal concerns that needed to be addressed.

During the course of our coaching, I defined my mission and values statement for the business. It turned out this was essential for me to do before I could commit more of myself.  I also looked at how the business fit into the larger vision for my life.  Only then, was I able to begin setting in place the necessary pieces to make the business successful. During this process a lot of personal concerns were resolved which had blocked my progress.

I chose Vivienne as a coach because of her warmth, intelligence and compassion. She brought these fully to bear in our coaching sessions, enabling me to experience my blockages to success, and then to move forward to articulate my goals and the steps to achieve those goals

For people who want coaching that uses all of who they are and helps them to integrate all of themselves, with the active engagement of a committed, caring other, I would recommend Vivienne Simon as simply outstanding. Her coaching gave me permission to make my dreams a reality."

Erika Keller, owner
Bethel Botanicals

"Viv Simon has an uncanny way of helping one help themselves in both the arenas of business and personal matters.  She helped me see things from a different point of view in a short period of time, enabling me to move beyond issues that were holding me back from doing my personal best."

Susana Lannik, Attorney

"Working with Vivienne is confounding, but in a good way. Previous experience led me to consider coaching as a casual though directed conversation.  I realized quickly that time spent with Vivienne required complete attention and focus. She has the knack for consistently asking questions that I couldn’t answer.  Her insight and keen observations, however, made me realize that effective coaching is not just challenging but ultimately, transformative."

Nigel Costolloe, owner
Catchlight., Inc.

*  Creative Expression & The Business of Art

"I came to see Viv to help me leave a difficult bussness partnership. It was a stressfull and emotionally-loaded situation and I was having difficulty making assertive decisions.  I wanted to be free of the partnership with my career and integrity intact, and also make sure I got my fair share of the business and didn't allow myself to be manipulated into giving into unreasonable offers just to get it over with.

Viv was a lifesaver.  She coached me on the phone before difficult meetings with lawyers and she gave me strategies to deal with the business and personal relationship. I felt someone was on my side throughout the process, and it helped me feel more confident and competent, not only in this situation but in future decisions as well.  I was able to start another business, decide to have a child and improve aspects of my marriage -- areas of my life that had been stuck because I had been unable to move on from my draining business situation.  Viv helped me to address self-esteem issues that were impacting my ability to make positive and challenging decisions in my life.

Viv is carring yet firm, always telling me what she saw going on, and always in a compassionate and constructive manner. I was instantly comfortable working with her and she used an array of techniques to help me work through my issues. She encouraged me to take responsibility for my work and personal issues.  I found that very empowering.

I would highly recommend Viv for business or personal coaching.  If you need a push in a new direction, are facing a difficult challenge, want to increase your confidence or improve your relationship --it is all addressed in Viv's style of coaching. Viv's coaching not only addressed my specific issue head on but it had a ripple effect that has been truly life changing."

Louise Douglas, Jewelry Designer

"Vivienne Simon is a terrific coach. She believes in you even when you've stopped believing in yourself, and her belief is contagious. She's got a wealth of exercises to keep you on track and grounded in the real. Viv saw the best in me and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. I'd recommend her to anyone!"

Steve Budd, Actor & Writer

"Viv has patiently led me through the endless ways that I have been learning to come to terms with Life.  Despite the rocky terrain of guiding me through such a long and deep process, Viv has always approached me like a fellow human being, with unfathomable compassion.  The efforts that she has helped  me make are precisely where I needed to stretch myself, mentally, emotionally and physically.  When there seemed to be hopeless and discouraging moments, she presented revitalizing and practical strategies. Her highly astute intuition melts my complex and insidious defenses spontaneously.  Being able to penetrate so deeply and lovingly is a highly noble and gifted skill.  I have experienced Viv as an effective healer, parental counsellor, communication trainer, active listener, health practitioner, and most importantly, as a fellow human being, treading more or less the same undulating grounds, yet so willing and generous to share her experience and skills to a fellow traveller."

Edith Yeung, Singer

*  Couples Coaching: Shifting From Power Struggle to True Partnership

" We started working on Relationship Coaching with Viv because my husband and I had very different opinions about a big life issue. We couldn't seem to find a way to solve this major disagreement. In working with Viv, we did not talk about this particular issue, as in therapy, but instead she taught us some skills focussing on how to love each other better. As well as really helping us get a new perspective on our issue, the skills have added a lot of fun to our relationship. I feel much closer to my husband now and we have some great new tools in our toolbox that we can utilize when needed. Viv is amazing at keeping us on track in our sessions; she is very quick and is an incredible listener, able to retain everything that was said throughout the session. I would highly recommend Viv for for anyone wanting to enrich their relationship and their life."
 
Karen Bray

"Vivienne facilitated our communication over the course of many months.  Our issues were multi-faceted as we are married parents who are also business partners running a growing company.  On top of that we are both strong personalities.  Vivienne was very adept at cutting through the crap and helping us to grow by coaching us to develop actual skills to become better communicators.  As a result we are happier in all aspects of our life. Every couple should make this investment in their relationship and we have referred many others to her with wonderful reports back.  We recommend her highly, but only if you are really ready for a better life."

Robin and John Maxfield

*  When Large Life Changes Are Needed

"I began working with Viv as a real estate salesperson looking to increase my sales and improve my business success. As we worked together, Viv helped me discover that the obstacles hindering my increased success were not specific to real estate, but rather recurring issues that showed up everwhere in my life. With Viv's guidance, I developed the awareness to notice as these issues came up for me. Viv helped me connect with an inner wisdom I did not know I had. I also learned to accept obstacles as my greatest teachers and to stay open and curious to what they could teach me. This perspective has helped me to stop fearing life, and start embracing it. I developed from a person who lived a small life to a woman who welcomes all that life has to offer.

Viv has also helped many of my friends tranform their lives in ways they never dreamed possible. I have never heard anything short of miraculous in terms of her work with others I know. Viv has the remarkable gift of assisting clients in finding the answers to life's questions  by showing them how to access their own inner wisdom. Even more amazing is how quickly she helps clients make changes in their lives; not in years, more like months -- or even weeks!
 
All of this self growth could not have been possible without Viv's patient and loving guidance. Viv helped me connect with an inner wisdom I did not know I had. I cannot say enough about my experience with Viv. Working with her has been one of the most life changing experiences in my life, and I cannot thank her enough for such a precious gift."

Mary Fortunato-McElwain, School Counselor

" After one and a half sessions with you I ended the relationship with my therapist of 25 years.  You and I didn’t just chew over the same old roots and vines.  We kept looking for and grasping fresh fruit that, amazingly, ended up being within reach. Your guidance and presence have cast a brighter, more positive light on the road ahead with a deep under-current of humor and empathy for us as humans, and therefore compelling and positive vision for the future.  Your intuition is perhaps the most astonishing aspect of working with you.  I have told countless friends, acquaintances and business contacts about you and recommend you without reservation to folks who express a desire to move forward.  If they all contacted you you’d be reading this in Tahiti, I’m sure."

Linda Burnett

"I began seeing  Viv in her capacity as a coach, as many probably do, at a time of great indecision. By the end of our sessions together, I had applied and gotten into law school, where I am currently enjoying great academic and social successes. My coaching sessions helped me reach this point both emotionally and practically.  Viv helped me address the reasons why I was ambivalent about moving on from a job that had become comfortable, though not fully rewarding, and nervous about starting something new. Practically, my coaching sessions became a place of accountability. The tasks and explorations that I had been pushing aside and putting off for months suddenly became a priority. I found myself "getting things done" in a way I had been unable to do on my own. I am grateful to Viv for helping me overcome the sense of inertia I had developed around  my career and giving me the jump start I needed!"

Amelia S.

“When I first met Vivienne, I was in a job I hated and felt generally apathetic about life, and uncertain about who I was and what I needed to do to gain better peace of mind.  Vivienne worked like a detective asking questions and then recommending specific strategies to help move me to a better place. 

With Viv's help, I was able to identify the things in my life and my past, that were causing me pain.  Rather than attempt to supress or magically alter the painful emotions I was feeling, we worked to identify their sources, while helping me accept that those emotions were present, and that it was ok for me to have them.  We focused on cultivating patience and taking small manageable steps, with a focus on lasting long-term results.  I learned a great deal about myself, and with huge gratitude, am now living a fulfilling, balanced life.”

Jason P.

"Early on in my tenure at Catchlight, I found myself challenged to overcome some organizational and functional blind spots in my toolbox, and sought out Viv in the hopes that working with her would improve performance and comfort level within a new industry.  I am extremely, extremely pleased with the results of our time together: what Viv refers to as my 'executive functioning' has improved by leaps and bounds, and not so coincidentally, so has my job performance and attention to detail.  Viv's easy, serene manner belies a comprehensive wealth of knowledge and strategies; her own toolbox is stocked to the brim with knowledge and easily navigable paths to improvement.  I would recommend Viv most highly to anyone seeking to improve, reevaluate, or refresh their own performance level."
 
Justin Keane, Director of Operations

"I wanted to help my husband find answers to his never-ending search for career contentment. I gave him 4 one-hour sessions and was privileged to watch Vivienne work with him one-on-one.  In a few short hours, Viv helped my husband articulate his dreams and develop a road map for achieving those dreams.  She didn’t give him the answers, but in listening and asking the right questions, she gently pulled the answers from him in a positive and gentle way."

Katie McCarron

"My time with Vivienne has been very well spent.  Vivienne is bright, insightful, non-judgmental and helped me get to the heart of the matter with grace and efficiency.  I have learned a lot from her and have been able to put these things right into practice.  I would recommend her highly."

Liz Scully

*  Keeping The Sustainability Movement Sustainable: Activism and The Non-Profit Sector

"Working with Viv is a blessing.  She's caring, knowledgeable and great to be around.  Her ability to hone in on what's really needed and support that process is a real gift.  With many years of expertise in a broad range of areas, she uses her invaluable life experience to guide and grow another generation of passionate and committed leaders.  Her mentoring has given me the clarity, resources and wisdom to excel in my life's work."

Patrick Draper, Director
University of the Wild

"I find you to be a warm, passionate, intense, visionary who lives/ works from her heart in the purest sense.  You are creative, caring, direct and incredibly knowledgeable. After that first time we had coffee to chat about my vision for the Mentoring Project, I walked away energized, excited and carrying a clearer vision of this project.  I quickly  learned that you carried, and could articulate, the philosophy and values I hoped to infuse into the program I was creating.  I instantly saw you as a kindred spirit in this work.

As we began to meet periodically over time, I found your wisdom and your skill to be a foundational asset to the on-going planning of my fledgling project.  As we've worked to pull together ideas for the mentor training evening, I've been continually impressed by how much of yourself you pour into the crafting of the program.  You took such care to make it as thorough and complete as possible.  You are a terrific presenter.  All your materials were organized and clear and the exercises were enjoyable and had a great impact.  The mentors were so impressed with your training.  They all rated you very highly on the evaluations and want you back for a follow-up session. In fact, several of them commented that you should make the training into a course. 

You are a really amazing person, with a fascinating history and a loving demeanor.  Watching you work and seeing the incredible impact you have had on the women in the program, inspired me to explore coaching as a future career direction for myself.   I am so grateful for you and for your wonderful work!"

Carole Thompson, Community Program Director
Second Step

"When sitting with Viv I feel fully heard.  She flawlessly asks eye-opening questions that support me in expanding my perspective as well as my felt experience.  Whenever, it's time to leave, I walk out the door with several new clear ways to strengthen and deepen my next step.  Viv helps me get over the daunting question "where do I go from here?" by helping me to answer that question myself, or by guiding me in a direction that will help me find the clarity I'm searching for.  I feel truly blessed to have Viv as a mentor, as I grow into my gifts and walk my path."

Nika Fotopulos-Voeikoff, Project Director
Ecological Living Projec