About
Meet Sherry
“ There is always an opportunity to learn, grow, and change.”
-Sherry Rhynard
I have been working with and coaching people to overcome life’s challenges and difficult times for over 15 years. Through a combination of integrative life coaching and hypnotherapy, I am able to channel my most fundamental values of compassion, introspection and courage to help my clients reduce their stressors and create the positive changes they are seeking.
I believe that each of us can enjoy a life that is distinctive and remarkable, with challenges, adversity, and opportunity around every corner. Throughout my life, I have always been curious and inspired to see the possibilities inherent in every moment and choice, and to intentionally foster positive change for myself, my friends and my community. This work has been by far the most rewarding challenge and responsibility of my life.
None of us are immune to life’s challenges. Like everyone, I too have had to endure and work to overcome many trials in my own life including the pain of being bullied as a child, the loss of loved ones, the isolation and uncertainty of changing schools and leaving friends, healing from breast cancer and an eating disorder, and a host of other personal struggles.
With each new experience and opportunity, I learned to recognize the challenges I was presented with and how to make more thoughtful, compassionate choices. Taking lay vows in a Theravada Buddhist retreat center back in the 1980’s helped me create noticeable changes over time. I learned to be more sensitive to myself and more intentional in my choices. Slowly, estranged and despairing feelings softened, and surprising occasions for growth and fulfillment invariably presented themselves.
One of the most influential periods in my life was producing and directing a documentary film about the extraordinary life of Grammy Awards winner blues singer Koko Taylor. Koko modeled everything and more that I believe one can do to confront a life of oppression and adversity, and succeed and thrive in spite of it. It is that spirit of courage, dignity, and self-awareness that I bring to the work I do with my clients every day.
My journey has taken me from Baltimore to Missouri, New York City to Vermont and now to Patzcuaro, Mexico.
I am now a permanent resident in Patzcuaro, Mexico. For most of my adult life I have been drawn to and spent time in this beautiful country. Mexico’s culture is rich, colorful and vibrant, influenced by its ancient civilizations such as the Aztec and Maya as well as European colonization. It is unique and probably one of the most fascinating cultures in the world. I am attracted by Mexican values such as family, kindness, integrity, perseverance, and the inherent desire to celebrate and find joy in their life.
“ Relationships are important to me.
They also serve as a barometer for our health and well-being.”
Dave is a good friend from Vermont and a professional blues singer/songwriter. He came to Mexico to perform in San Miguel de Allende and Pátzcuaro.
Our friend Gabi made a special vegetarian enchilada dish for Dave, along with all the traditional Mexican fixings. Her son Chris helped her in the kitchen while Gabo had a guitar lesson with Dave. L to R - Dave, Chuck, Sherry w/Cora, Gabi, Gabo, and Chris, in our garden courtyard.
Debbie (childhood friend), Chuck, Sherry, and Cora at the beach in Bara de Potsi.
Debbie visited us in 2022. She wanted to be sure that her old dear friend Sherry, who had moved to Pátzcuaro, made the right decision. Well, she loved meeting our Mexican and American friends, eating delicious local food, seeing the local sights, and getting a few cuddles with Cora.
Chuck, Sherry, and dear Cora
Chuck and I have been together for 25 years, married for 22 years. This is the second marriage for both of us. We moved to Mexico in 2021 to begin a new adventure. It has been the best time of our lives.
FAQs
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Insurance companies have yet to include coaches as part of their coverage. As an alternative, I offer a sliding scale payment option.
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Payment can be made via Zelle, check, or direct deposit.
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The reason I choose to work virtually from my home in Pátzcuaro, Mexico, is that I am dedicated to my profession and have strong ties to Vermont.
And, although I keep professional boundaries I can not expect the same from clients particularly within a small expat community.
Other reasons to consider are:
Convenience and Flexibility
By receiving services online, you can meet with me without leaving your home. Opening your laptop to meet is much easier than driving through rush-hour traffic or bad weather, waiting in a waiting room, and then dealing with the bad roads or traffic on the way home especially when you’re still mentally lingering from your time with me. Also, your appointment time can be more flexible to meet your schedule and needs - morning, evening, and weekends.
Fewer Resources Required
Virtual sessions reduce additional burdens related to time, transportation, childcare, or unplanned appointment extensions. Online sessions remove many of these obstacles that come with in-person sessions.
Comfort
You can meet with me from the comfort of your own home. In your familiar surroundings with a pet or blanket on your lap, which may help you relax and feel more secure.
Access for Rural Areas
People living in rural areas can have a hard time accessing a specialized professional. Virtual sessions give you access to me when it's convenient for you. Imagine a snowstorm; you wouldn't need to cancel your session; instead, you can remain warm inside with a nice cup of hot chocolate.
Confidentiality
In-person sessions are highly confidential, with extremely limited reasons to breach confidentiality, such as protecting a vulnerable person. Nonetheless, when accessing care in person, you could see other people in the office waiting room or parking lot. With virtual sessions, you access treatment without these people being present.
I use Psychology Today’s video platform for safe, secure, and confidential sessions. All you have to do is click the link I email you, and you'll find yourself in my virtual waiting room.
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Everything said during a session is confidential. However, if a client might show signs of suicide, I would be obliged to inform a loved one and/or your local mental health outreach/support center.We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.
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I work with any persons age 7 and up.
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Bringing a significant partner to a client’s session depends upon the issue the client is addressing.
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I work with all kinds of people, on all sorts of issues including smoking cessation, weight loss, overcoming negative thoughts, emotions, beliefs or perceptions concerning themselves and/or family, friends and workplace. Some people are looking for support, guidance and tools to make a significant lifeor lifestyle change. Others are going through or already gone through a recent life changing event such as cancer and other illness, divorce, job loss, trauma, and more.
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Yes! Gift certificates are a great way to help a loved one in need. See my gift certificate order form here.
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I am certified by the International Association of Counselors and Therapists and The National Guild of Hypnotists. I’ve received a Certificate of Completion Training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and I’ve taken over 1,000 hours of course study in all relevant therapy techniques and practices you will find throughout my website.
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I offer a free consultation to determine what kinds of change the person is interested in making, and what services will be the most beneficial and advantageous. The client and I will discuss my suggestions and make decisions from that point. I frequently start with a self-care assessment. It is my belief that change comes easier when there is a foundation of self-care involved. I often work with hypnosis. Results come easier and tend to be long-lasting.
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Hypnosis is a normal state that most of us experience every day. For example, have you ever driven down the highway and forgotten to get off your exit because you were absorbed in your thoughts? If so, you experienced “highway hypnosis.” People often say, “All hypnosis is self-hypnosis.”
It is a state of focused attention where the unconscious mind has heightened responsiveness to suggestions. These suggestions come from the clients’ own words as they describe how they want to change, how they want to be, how they want to feel, or how they want to look.
While hypnotized, you find yourself in a state that may be compared to awakening in the morning; you’re relaxed and find yourself somewhere between not quite conscious yet not totally unconscious.
Learning self-hypnosis to use outside of my office helps reinforce the work we do together.
Together we build a map using only words and suggestions that come directly from you to help you find your way to how you want to be!
Contact me today to schedule a consultation.