About Shanen
Her Journey to Spiritual Life Coaching and Becoming an End of Life Doula
After Shanen's own positive experience with a life coach, she felt a strong desire to become a life coach herself. She understands the value of finding happiness in the smallest parts of life and provides others the freedom to process emotions. Her previous work as a certified Nursing Assistant with a bachelor's degree in psychology also helped her realize her potential. Shanen's goal is to empower other individuals through life transitions and to educate in self-care. Her clients would describe her as someone who is compassionate, patient, and skilled.
Shanen has devoted a large portion of her life, many years in many ways, to supporting individuals with advanced illness and their caregivers; she finds great joy in providing peace and stability for these individuals. With experience accompanying individuals and families before, during, and after the time of transition from this world, she eases this transition for others. She is able to make people comfortable talking about death & dying and thus can make it more bearable. It is good if you know how to ask for or offer support when someone you love is dying; as an end-of- life companion, Shanen can help.
Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology - Viterbo University
Certified End-of-Life Companion (doula) - Conscious Dying Institute
Advanced Mentorship in End-of-Life Studies - Quality Life Care
Certified Respite Caregiver - Respite CARE Association of Wisconsin
Certified Life Coach - Quantum Success Coaching Academy
Volunteer at Gundersen Medical Center in the End-of-Life and Hospice Unit
Shanen's life experiences have given her both the empathy and passion for providing
end-of-life care. There are 3 experiences specifically that inspired her to become an end-of-life doula and spiritual life coach:
How Shanen's Story Shaped her Future:
Shanen saw her dad two days before he passed away suddenly of an aortic aneurysm. She was devastated that she could not be there and has struggled to find closure. Confusion, regret, and finally acceptance. She learned that time passes and everything changes, and it's always what it is meant to be.
Dad's Passing
When Shanen was a teenager, her grandma stopped breathing in front of her and she was prompted to remember the life-saving class she had taken at school. Although she immediately began CPR it was already too late, but she followed through as best she could, helping her overwhelmed grandfather by managing the necessary phone calls and procedures that followed. At that young age she saw the amount of order, legal ritual, and attention to detail that is involved in caring for the deceased and their loved ones.
Shanen cared for a beloved mentor who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, and felt honored to be her companion for the months until her passing. This was a time when she became aware of the complex roles that are played by family and loved ones, of both the mysteries and the practical pressures of the journey from this plane of existence. This was when she knew for sure that she wanted to help, and that she had the Gift to do so.
Grandmother's Passing
