“If you deliberately plan to be less than you are capable of being, then I warn you that you’ll be deeply unhappy for the rest of your life. You will be evading your own capacities, your own possibilities.”
Tasha Nikora
MA, MFT — Founder
I grew up surrounded by strong, resilient women who taught me how to find joy, even in profound difficulty. Their examples informed my life as a professional, a mother, and a woman. I continue to draw from their examples as I navigate my personal and professional life.
Family and friendship are central to my life. As a seasoned mother, stepmother, wife, daughter, and stepdaughter, I understand the important and complex work of building, maintaining, and navigating a family through transition, challenges, and joy.
I am a firm believer in defining personal boundaries to enhance one’s ability to show up strong in their own lives. I’m a lifetime advocate of encouraging women to take time out for themselves, building a tribe and network of supporters, and kindling one’s own flame for a passionate life.
Growing up in a Military Family and enjoying travel as a hobby, I’ve spent years exploring the world, experiencing cultural differences, societal influences and gaining insight to the many ways of living joyfully. I’ve maintained close relationships with my large extended family and a circle of lifelong friends all of whom help make me a better woman, mother, coach and human.
Although I advocate for technology when necessary, as it allows me to reach and support my clients in real-time crisis, I use it thoughtfully and sparingly. I prefer human connection, one-on-one time and daily activities in nature.
I spend much of my free time on the beaches of my hometown. I enjoy splashing in the waves with my daughter and building sandcastles. Family trips are spent hiking and camping in the Redwoods with my childhood friends and loved ones.
I support progress over perfection.
I believe the framework for change is built on integrity, dignity and honesty, and to solidify one’s personal growth, fundamental values must be practiced daily.
Through some of the hardest times of their lives, I support my clients to a place of a healthy, balanced lifestyle and I encourage my clients to cultivate their personal best. I subscribe to the theory that everyone has an innate desire to be the most profound version of themselves possible, some just need a little extra self-love and support.
Professional Background
Tasha brings a background in clinical psychology, substance abuse management, behavioral weight management, and proven tools for navigating the uncertainty of a life transition.
Tasha’s Background Includes:
PsyD Educational Background in Clinical Forensic Psychology
M.A. in Marriage Family Therapy
M.A. in Clinical Forensic Psychology
B.A. in Clinical Psychology, Child Development
A.A. in Clinical Psychology, Substance Abuse Disorders
Expertise in the areas of Substance Abuse and Family Dynamics / Restructuring the Family Unit / Codependency & Enmeshment / Communication Skill Building
California Association of Drug & Alcohol Abuse Education Certificate/treating substance abuse disorders
Clinical Internship/San Diego State University Medical Center Neuropsychology Center, understanding and treatment of Eating Disorder Spectrum
Founder of Daybreakers Recovery Women’s Sober Living Home: recovery home implemented for the support and empowerment of women recovering from trauma, substance abuse, mental health disorders and eating disorders
Former Executive Director: Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, providing supervisory training and behavioral management training for employees, creating & implementing curriculum’s for supporting short term stabilization from addiction
Former Crisis Interventionist Hays County, Austin Texas: Risk Assessment, Short- & Long-term Stabilization, Stress Management, Interpersonal Communication, Change and Transition, Work-Life Balance, and other mental health-related topics
Designed and Facilitated Workshops/Curriculum Training: Young Adults; Self Identity Skill Building, Growth Through Independence, and Sports Identity Differentiation.
“As a practitioner, I hold power in creating spaces in which people can do the work they want to do. I do not hold the answers. But I can be that person in the back of the canoe paddling with force and providing ongoing support! I have the skills and abilities to listen and build alliances upon the foundation of respect and dignity”
Lisa Garces
Certified Reiki Master & Medium, NLP Practitioner, Life Coach
Lisa Garces is an exceptionally gifted Reiki Master, healer and medium, with a remarkable story of discovering spirituality and her inherent gifts.
Lisa was raised with a strong belief in science and trust in Western medicine. She walked the traditional career path and received her degree in Business Management and worked in the corporate environment for 25 years. Along her path, she expanded her education and received her Pharmacy Technician License, which brought light to a deeper truth about the pharmaceutical industry. As Lisa’s understanding of western medicine became clear, she began exploring more holistic approaches for her anxiety, chronic sickness, chronic pain, as well as her daughter’s anxiety.
After discovering Reiki, everything changed for Lisa. Her first Reiki session brought such an immediate and profound effect that the once spiritual skeptic and science lover became a Reiki believer and energy work advocate overnight. Lisa’s journey for self-awareness and personal growth had begun.
Over the next several years Lisa embarked on the non-traditional healing path and began her spiritual awakening alongside her daughter, Jada. Lisa received her first Reiki certification from Reiki of San Diego and went on to receive additional certifications as a Reiki Master and Crystal Healer. Her path as a Reiki Master took an abrupt turn when tragically Jada, unexpectedly passed at age 18. Lisa’s spiritual growth was compelled to deeper more intimate understandings as she struggled to navigate through the unexplainable trauma and her own grief over the loss of her only child. Lisa was overcome with emotional darkness. She felt lost, without a sense of direction or motivation, until the messages and signs from Jada came to her.
It was here, motivated by Lisa’s abilities to connection with her daughter, that she heard Jada’s messages loud and clear. From the afterlife, Jada was guiding Lisa to her most authentic self and her natural, profound gift as an Energetic healer and Medium.
Lisa went on to receive her Mediumship Certification through the James Van Praagh School of Mystical Arts and trained with Angel the Medium and Suzanne Tempel from Arthur Findlay College. She brings with her a seasoned list of skills and accomplishments. She holds certifications in Akashic Records, as an NLP Practitioner and as a Life Coach.
Lisa has a fiery passion to pay it forward and dedicates her gifts to helping those struggling from afflictions of life. Her expertise is in supporting individuals suffering from the loss of a loved one, spiritual connection and those recovering from trauma. She does this through her skilled ability to help support emotional healing through Reiki.
Lisa truly believes the passing of her daughter was meant to awaken her dharma in this lifetime; it is often through tragedy that a healer is born. In the words of her daughter, she now strives to “be the light that helps others see”.
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