Meet Dani Peterson | Relational Trauma Coach & Integrative Holistic Practitioner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Peterson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
First off, I’m honored to be here and to have this opportunity to share about my coaching and holistic wellness practice.

A little about how this all began…
Well, I’ll start by saying that what I’m doing as a business woman today wasn’t anything I ever imagined as a child or even a young adult. Seriously, who grows up thinking they will one day be a coach and holistic practitioner helping women recover from relational trauma due to their spouse’s infidelity, sexual compulsive behaviors and addictions. Not me. I did have aspirations of maybe being a nurse or someone who served on a mercy ship in my teen years. At one time, I thought about being an interpreter and counselor for the deaf. And yet, there apparently was an alternate plan, and due to my own personal experience in my first marriage, this very real struggle became part of my own story. Back then, there wasn’t nearly the amount of resources available as there is today nor the research that spoke to the affect betrayal has on the one betrayed. I had to navigate through a lot of the pain alone. It was also within a short minute, I became a single mom who worked three jobs for a season while home schooling my children. Life was not easy. And for a time my own healing and recovery took a back seat until the pain began to surface several years later.

I had no clue I was dealing with CPTSD for years. What I did become aware of was physical pain and discomfort and a mind and heart not at ease. After a series of medical appointments and treatments, being given three prescriptions at one time (two of which were narcotics) and meeting up with one doctor who wanted to cauterize a nerve that signaled pain, I decided to try a more holistic route and found myself in a yoga class. That was the beginning of me discovering so much more. I began learning, studying, growing, healing, and recovering using modalities such as yoga, yoga therapy, meditation, and breath work. I later became certified in each of these areas. At first it was mostly for me, as it satisfied my need to understand what was happening in my body, mind and heart; and then it turned into a way to help others, as I saw first hand the benefits these modalities had on healing trauma from the inside out.

I then found myself in an ICF Life Coaching certification and accreditation program and then later in an APSATS Betrayed Partner Specialist coaching certification program. The latter I resisted pursuing, at first, as it hit close to home. It felt vulnerable and still is. Needless to say, I took a leap of faith and jumped back onto a path that I was familiar with. (Maybe it was more of a hard internal spiritual nudge.) Once both feet landed, I decided to integrate my education, trainings, and life’s experiences – all that helped and supported me holistically – to support and help guide others walking through some really hard things that I could relate to.

Was any of this easy?
Um…that would be a hard no. But here I am today, doing what I enjoy and what actaully aligns with a desire I have to make a difference in the world.

What’s helped me overcome challenges in my business:
I’ve had a few good business coaches along the way and of course family and friends who’ve supported me on this wild ride. I think there’s just something inside that keeps me moving forward, even when things are not smooth sailing. I also know what it’s like to not have support so I suppose that is motivation too – to provide guidance to those who might feel shame and/or are afraid to reach out to those who might not understand what they are going through.

What have I learned?
I’ve learned to: lean in and lean back; ask for help along the way; see others through the lens love and compassion; say “yes” to what truly matters and “no” to things that aren’t aligned; remember that I am ever evolving; stay open to learning; never forget our shared humanity, as we are all doing the best we can…even when it appears we aren’t; and people are way more resilient than they realize.

What sets me a part from others?
Well, showing up as me sets me a part. I offer clients tools that have been passed down from my teachers and mentors – tools that I have personally tried and tested. But how that happens? That will be in Dani fashion. I may not be everyone’s cappuccino, but I will be for some. It’s my intention to show up authentically, providing support to the clients I see, from my own strength, hope, experience, and training.

What I enjoy most?
I very much enjoy coming alongside those I see both in person and online (mostly women but also men). I take delight in seeing them remember their wholeness and tap back into the strength and wisdom that resides within. And I am inspired when I see clients doing what it takes to reclaim those parts that have been wounded – to witness them heal, recover and rebuild (individuals and couples) – to see them emerge from the “goo” into a new life that offers hope and a new way of being. It’s all quite magical and feels satisfying to my own heart and soul. I’m also thankful to know that what I went through personally early on in life is being used to help others. And that feels good too.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
I remember hearing a poem written by Rumi years ago called “I’ll Meet You There.” There was something about it that resonated with me. At the time, I wasn’t sure why. Just recently someone quoted one line from this same poem. It touched my heart again but differently. It felt soft and the words are still lingering. This one line reads, “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” When the words landed in my ears this time, it was as if a light turned on inside…something came alive in me. I sensed a shift. It was pretty cool.

For me this field represents a realm of possibility – where pure love, authenticity, compassion, and grace exist – a realm without judgement, condemnation, or fear. The aha moment for me was understanding that it is a personal invitation for me to meet others regardless of whether others are actually standing in this field with me. Once I am in this field, I’m there. My vision changes. My understanding changes. And the hidden truth here is that beyond right and wrong, good and bad, I (we) have an opportunity to connect beyond dualities. That to me is beautiful and something I’m choosing to hold on to. It gives me hope, especially for those of us who have experienced deep hurt, division and deception…pain and heartbreak.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Above all, I offer a big shout out to God, first and foremost and for the teachings of Jesus and Spirit’s gentle whispers. My life was and will forever be changed due to the power of divine love, grace, and acceptance.

I’d also like to dedicate my shoutout to my immediate family, my dog Enzo, closest of friends, teachers, mentors and fellow colleagues. Each have offered support, encouragement, and wisdom in some form or fashion along the way. They’ve lent me their listening ears, provided gentle and yet firm nudges, shared golden nuggets of truth and wisdom, given me a shoulder to cry on, sat with me in my moments of doubt and confusion, and allowed me a safe space for this not so patient Italian to heal, explore, and rant when I needed to release pent up energy. I wouldn’t be where I am at today without them seeing beyond the external and believing in what they knew was inside me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hmmm – I guess it depends on what time of year someone is visiting and who is actually visiting. During the summer months I enjoy kayaking and standup paddle boarding on the Salt River or a nearby lake – usually early morning or late afternoon when there aren’t crowds and the heat is not as intense. If someone wants to experience cooler climates during the AZ summer, I might take a guest up to Flagstaff or the Mongollon Rim. Sedona or Prescott are fun places too and would go during mid-week to avoid the crowds. Spring time, I might take someone to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

As far as restaurants go, two places I enjoy locally are Pizzicata and or the Perfect Pear. Two coffee houses I’d recommend are: Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters in Tempe or The Organic Bean Cafe in Mesa. Gelato Dolce Vita in Mesa has great gelato. I do enjoy the arts so I might consider a concert, play or visual art display.

Website: https://www.danimpeterson.com/

Instagram: @danimpeterson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danimpeterson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danimpeterson777/

Other: Specializing in: Relational and Betrayal Recovery and Support, Compassionate Communication, Stress and Mind Management, Post Traumatic Growth Free 30-min Consultation: https://calendly.com/danimpeterson/consultation

Image Credits
First image: Studio Wangerin All others were taken on cell phone.