Amelia Bolyard
Children's embodiment coach

Hello! I'm Amelia. I provide Children's Embodiment coaching, parent coaching, NRF education and reflective consultation. I'm trained in the NRF, by Betty Peralta, to support parents, organizations and communities with online and in person sessions and workshops. Additionally, I provide support by meeting in the homes of individual families experiencing toxic stress, to respond to their needs and identify and integrate healthy, healing responses.

 

For over 25 years I've worked with families and kids with disabilities, wide-ranging neurodiversity, as well as those experiencing trauma and grief. Early in my experiences engaging with what I like to call "outstanding children" (amazing children who stand out!), I discovered I had a gift for responding to the extraordinary needs of families experiencing particularly difficult challenges. I was acknowledged for my exceptional work with the families, and became busy with word-of-mouth recommendations. 

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As the years went by, I continued to observe and learn through my intentional work to support children and their caregivers. My interest proved to be more than a passion– I recognized it as a vocation; a calling. It was only when I came to better know Betty Peralta, around 2020, that I realized how far I could follow my calling, making of it a gratifying, inspiring, joyful career. I am honored to be invited into the lives and homes of families to give respect and support to all.

 

Today, in my professional practice, I support and guide care providers and parents as they develop patience, release judgments, and apply new methods with increased capacity and loving presence, to meet the needs and tend the wellbeing of their children and themselves. Yes! The needs of the adults are a priority too!

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Of course care givers both need and deserve to have a sense of wellbeing, while being the best providers they can be in each moment. That “best” is naturally variable. Adults sometimes question their choices and can experience being at “a loss” for ideas to help kids. The intention of my work with care givers is to help strengthen their confidence and trust in their ability to make centered, emotionally sober observations, resulting in more empowering choices and solutions with which to meet challenges.

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I am grateful to be an associate with Altavenue's, and delighted to help facilitate its mission of providing support and cultivating joy within children and their families. I continue to delight in learning and expanding alongside Betty Peralta. 

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EXPERIENCE:

 

25 years working intimately with the care providers and parents of outstanding children with exceptional needs. 15 years working with the schools, organizations and communities that serve those families.

 

SPECIFICS:

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• Office of Public Defense -  Consultation, coaching and advocacy for reunification cases

• Unhoused and displaced families healing from trauma - Coach and advocate

• Freehold Theater Prison Outreach Program at Washington Corrections Center for Women -  Theater/Movement/Music Program Co-facilitator and Instructor

• Childhaven - Creative/Therapeutic Movement - Instructor to ages five and under.

• Boys & Girls Club, Rainier Vista - Creator and Facilitator of Big/Little Sisterhood mentorship program

• Madrona Middle School, South Shore PK-8,  and Seattle Alternative Schools, Summit K-12 and AS1 - Artist in Residence 

• New Holly Tutoring Program - Volunteer tutor K- 8

• Joy of Dance Experience (JODE): An holistic self-care movement class focusing on breath, emotional and physical safety, and respect for the wisdom of the body - Founder