About Marlena Field

Marlena Field, PCC, CPCC is a Professional Certified Coach who has been doing body-centered work for fifteen years. Her studies began with Ron Kurtz, author of “Body-Centered Psychotherapy: the Hakomi Method”. She then studied a form of acupressure called Jin Shin Do and combined the two modalities in her work. In her journey through The Coaches Institute (CTI) and Co-Active Space Leadership Program, Marlena further added to her coaching expertise. She has developed a method for coaches and other helping professionals who wish to incorporate more of the body's wisdom in their work with clients.

Marlena has always been interested in all aspects that involve meaningful change. She is fascinated by the fact that as she learns, she experiences shifts and changes - in her thinking, in her body and in her way of being in the world.

From the age of twenty, Marlena has continued to be on a personal growth path. As an eclectic learner, she has attended numerous seminars and retreats, read a variety of books and had significant conversations with like-minded people.

As a young teacher, Marlena was fortunate to have a forward-thinking "out of the box" principal. Under his guidance, Marlena explored the efficacy of different styles of learning within the existing school system and the consequent changes that occur. She was exposed to a variety of insights and once ignited, Marlena continued to be curious about herself, about relationships and about the world around her.

As a young mother of two, and away from the school system, Marlena decided to make a change and focus her career choices around working with adults. This led to her study of Hakomi (body-centered psychotherapy) where she discovered the magic of mindfulness and of trusting the wisdom of the body. She was able to embody what she already understood to exist deep inside of her. Sustainable change includes the body. It expanded her belief of the innate resourcefulness that exists within each one of us. It was a profound and transformative training for her and it led her to begin working individually with clients.

Once her children left for university and to further their education, Marlena made another significant change. She re-located and married her husband Jim. In her short respite from working, Marlena discovered the coaching field. She was enthralled by the forward looking profession and she left the therapy model and took coach training. She studied with and was certified by the Coaches Training Institute.

Marlena flows easily with change. And, she has been challenged to be accepting of change that is not of her own choosing. Jim, her husband of nine years, has suffered two bouts of cancer and a stroke. One important question Marlena has asked herself during those years has been, “How do I deal with this?” She continually came up with the same response – “accept it”. That didn’t mean having to like it, resign herself to it, give up, or fight against it. To Marlena acceptance means this is the way it is now; it means facing today's truth.

Marlena knows that change happens and we are responsible to choose how we are going to be with the impact. Learning to stay on the positive side and embrace gratitude has been a daily practice for Marlena. She has developed a strong sense of who she is and a trust in her deep inner core.

Facing life and death has a way of challenging one's present moment and what is important in this lifetime. Another important question Marlena continued to ask herself was, “What is my life’s work?” She became clear that body-centered coaching is the work she loves and she is passionate about it.

Marlena is an inspiring catalyst and a steward for using the body as a resource for change. Marlena invites coaches and other helping professionals to experience mindfulness and the wisdom of the body for themselves, and then take that forward into their work with clients. She has written a book, developed a tele-training series and recorded 3 CDs of body-centered coaching demonstrations. These help coaches to assist clients to access body information that creates such a greater depth of insight, self-awareness and self-acceptance that it feels like a miracle.

Over the past three years, Marlena has created a doll-making process that helps women tap into their essence and listen to their heart. She created a “Spirit Doll” retreat and has been fascinated with the life-altering experiences that women have while tuning into what they most desire.

Professional Background

• PCC - Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation
• CPCC - Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (Coaches Training Institute)
• BGS - Bachelor of General Studies through Simon Fraser University
• Leadership Training: Graduate of Co-Active Space
• Body-Centered Therapist (Hakomi trained): individuals and couples
• 12 Core Dynamics Training
• Acupressure practitioner
• Nutritionist
• School teacher: co-coordinating specialist