Pressure
Ease
I work with people pleasers who are stressed by trying to make everybody around them happy.
I help them figure out how to say ‘no’ to things they don’t really want and need to do, so they can free up their time and live their life with more ease.
If you’re a sensitive perfectionist people pleaser: welcome! You’re in the exact right place. And don’t you worry. I get you. And I can help.
Let me also first say: I appreciate you. I believe that people like you can change the world for the better – through healing, inspiring and helping. But in order to succeed, you must take good care of yourself, since you’re prone to burnout, boundary bullies and harsh self-criticism.
As a certified life coach, I’ll take you on a journey of self discovery. I’ll help you figure out exactly what you need to do to make your wonderful character traits work for you, not against you.
About me
Dear reader, are you exhausted because there are so many demands and expectations coming your way and you feel compelled to handle them all with utmost perfection to make everybody around you happy? Are you tired from all the people pleasing and kind of on the edge?
Hey, I know it’s super stressful to feel the way you’re feeling right now, but you’re in the right place and we’re gonna take care of that, together.
Hi, my name is Stefanie and I help sensitive people pleasers do less of what they don’t need to do and more of what they want to do, for a life of more calm and ease.
I get you.
I understand your struggles because I’m a recovering people pleaser myself. As a highly sensitive person, it was often easier for me to feel the expectations and wishes of the person in front of me than it was to listen to my own needs, let alone stand up for them. To be honest, I didn’t even know what to stand up for. For a while, that worked fine, because it made me a super dutiful employee, colleague and friend.
But... there’s a cost to always being available, isn’t there?
How life coaching can help
After years of ignoring my own boundaries, I came close to a burnout. I was just in that hamster wheel of always being busy and stressed and – although I didn’t want to admit it – really unhappy on the inside despite my super privileged life. With the help of a great life coach, I finally learned to tune in and listen to myself, gently, cautiously. The coaching sessions enabled me to find out my very own abilities, talents and wishes and taught me to slowly make choices that are more aligned with my needs. Thus, instead of pursuing my career in academia, I got my own life coach certification – and it’s the perfect calling for me.
Now it’s your turn to find out more about yourself, to accept, navigate and even learn to love and make use of your sensitive, people pleasing side. I am here to guide you every step of the way.
Some fun facts about me:
- I have a PhD about contemporary art, so I know how to make sense out of things that at first seem complicated ;-)
- I’m a real Berliner, but I’ve lived in Canada and Italy for a few years, so I know about cultural differences (but I’ve also experienced first-hand that some things are simply universal!).
- I’m doing lots of reading on feminism and anti-racism, so I know about systemic oppression and you’ll never hear “It’s all just mindset” from me.
- I used to run an agency for art and architecture tours with two of my best friends while also being a university lecturer, so I have worked in different contexts and know about the intricacies of needing to juggle different demands and expectations.
- Sustainability is a concept I cherish, both when it comes to the environment and to our work together, so we’ll aim for sustainable results and not for short term fixes.
I follow the code of ethics of ICF (International Coaching Federation) and DCV (Deutscher Coaching Verband).
I got my life coach certification at the Institut für Coaching und Achtsamkeit (Institute for Coaching and Mindfulness) in Berlin in 2019.
How it works
I help you find your own solutions. I work online (on Zoom) in English and German – and I've had clients in all kinds of time zones. My coaching is goal-oriented, and my methods involve creativity and mindfulness practice.
Life coaching with me entails:
- one-on-one, personalized coaching sessions
- summary after each session
- defining a goal that suits your needs
- mindfulness to tune into your own intuition
- homework and regular check-ins to help you stay on track
- easy and professional appointment management with booking and payment system
- no esoteric new age stuff (all good if you’re into that, but I realize I’m a scientist after all)
- proven tools and certified methods
- complete confidentiality.
First and foremost though: we need to make sure that we’re a good fit. Because the most important thing in a coaching process is the mutual trust between coach and client. That’s what the free discovery call is for.
Remote controlled
Self determined
What I offer
My coaching is not about short-term fixes, but about enabling a process with sustainable results. That’s why I offer a package, which includes regular biweekly 1:1 sessions, homework (if wanted), check-ins and an individual process tailored to your needs. In your free and non-committal discovery session, we’ll see if we're a good fit.
Your discovery session
A non-committal way to find out if we’re a good fit. It’s free!
This session includes:
- 1 x 60 min appointment via Zoom
- all information needed to discover if we’re a good fit
- experiencing the way I work
- answering any questions you might have
- no need to prepare anything: I’ll guide you through the whole process
Price: 0€
Finding my own path
From pleasing everybody else to knowing exactly what you want in life – and having a clear idea of the next steps to get there. This 12 week program consists of:
- 6 x 60 min appointments
- summary after each session
- a check-up via email in between sessions
- individualized homework (if wanted)
- mindfulness exercises
- certified coaching methods
Price: 1245 € incl. VAT
If you have any questions about my offer or the process, simply send me an email to mail[at]stefaniegerke.coach or ask away in your complimentary discovery session!
Also good to know: I donate at least 1% of the revenue to primaklima.org, an organization that helps to fight the climate crisis by planting trees. I aim to look for other opportunities to do good as my business grows, like pro bono work or scholarships for people with lower income. I’ll let you know when that’s happening – stay in touch by subscribing to my emails!
Overwhelmed
Focused
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Testimonials
Stephanie Pearson, Museum Professional
“My coaching with Stefanie didn't just teach me new things, it changed my whole way of relating to myself and the world. Being able to value myself and define my boundaries saved my life in dealing with customers at work, for instance. It also made my personal relationships healthier - most of all, my relationship to myself. Stefanie led me in a self-exploration shedding vital light on dark places. I honestly can't imagine how my life would look without this coaching. I wish everyone could have this experience.”
Ulrike Gerhardt, Research Associate and Art Curator
“At the threshold between two jobs in quite different fields and amidst a consequential personal upheaval, Stefanie – thanks to her diverse skills and techniques – has helped me find direction and a new professional vision. With her versatile experiences, she is, in my view, ideally suited to provide tailored support to highly specialized clients on their professional and personal journeys, particularly in developing solutions for mental obstacles. Her needs-oriented coaching has ignited new courage, determination, and curiosity about the future within me! For that, I am infinitely grateful.”
Lena Maier, Freelance Brand Stretegist
“Thanks to the utterly insightful and substantial coaching from Stefanie, I managed to not only make but also execute a significant and long overdue decision. I gained valuable insights about myself; Stefanie employed useful tools to mentally take me to places I couldn't have reached on my own.
What I find truly unique and immensely helpful is her approach of providing a comprehensive summary after each session, allowing me to fully focus on thinking during the session itself. Remote coaching via Zoom worked well for me. Stefanie's availability between sessions was also fantastic, with her thoughtful check-ins via email, which I quickly grew fond of and gladly utilized.
There's no doubt that the coaching propelled me forward and (re)activated my own strengths!”
Nadine Bergmann, Political Scientist
“Dear Stefanie, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your guidance over the past few months, your insightful questions, fresh perspectives, and your empathy. I've gained so much from our coaching sessions, and as a result, I feel much more organized and at ease. THANK YOU! I wouldn't have experienced this profound personal development, filled with numerous valuable affirmations, without your supportive and analytical guidance.”
Olivia Berkenhof, Designer
"My politeness as a female entrepreneur was often misunderstood. Stefanie developed an individual format for me where I found it easier to make choices and set limits. After our sessions, I have the feeling that I’ve emerged with a new voice.”
Alexandra Bruns, Art Director
“My coaching experience with Stefanie on 'Learning to say no' was truly powerful and revealing. Her ability to listen, spot patterns and ask the right questions allowed me to become aware of certain beliefs and habits that are the cause of my very full, fast paced and overwhelmed life. The sessions not only allowed me to get to know myself better but the tools and exercises, which I still use now, help me to take focused action, changing my perspective and behaviour and thus my life. Stefanie brings so much kindness, care, expertise and clarity to each sessions, leaving me feel grounded, clear and confident. I loved every single session and am truly grateful for Stefanie, the process and the change that has already come of it.”
Daisy Lumley, UX-Designer
“Stefanie was skillful in the way she held space for my pain-points and problem-areas. Her method was gentle and supportive in the way she guided our conversations, and I came away from each session with things to shine awareness on, and concrete topics/resources to explore in my own time.”
L. Sana, Banking Executive
“I am happy I decided to embark on this coaching journey with Stefanie. Working with her has been a truly transformational process. Stefanie guided me through the process of becoming more assertive and setting healthy boundaries. This automatically boosted my self-confidence.
She helped me with different tools and techniques and, most importantly, she made me realise that I already had most of the tools and skills to become more assertive and set my boundaries, it was just a matter of practice, until it became a reflex. Thanks to Stefanie’s coaching, something clicked in me, and although it is a learning process, I feel I am already on the right path and have accomplished a lot since I started the coaching.
I can highly recommend Stefanie, she is a very professional and experienced coach, who can help you get the best out of you. She is very genuine, which makes the whole process very natural and effective.
THANK YOU STEFANIE!”
Kerri Midiri, Entrepreneur
“What I was able to envision along with Stefanie's guidance was spectacular. I happily surprised myself with what surfaced and I honestly can't wait to achieve all of those things that popped up for me. Stefanie holds such a safe space. Her voice is calm and comforting and she knows exactly how to guide you to the parts of yourself that you can't quite see on your own. She's kind and compassionate and I deeply appreciated how I felt that she showed up for me in a very grounded way. I felt as if she was sure of knowing what I needed. I'm so grateful for our time spent together and I eagerly await our next connection, as I know something beautiful and impactful will come of it.”
Luise Biesalski, Head of Finance
"Through the work with Stefanie, I have understood that behind every 'difficult' feeling lies an unfulfilled need and I get to the bottom of it. I listen to my body, feel my needs, express them and set boundaries. This has allowed me to avoid many misunderstandings and a lot of hurt. I have understood that I am allowed to stand up for myself - that I am allowed to shape my life the way it makes me happy. And that I can do so while respecting my physical boundaries and needs. By learning to recognize my own needs, I also recognize those of my fellow human beings much better and thus no longer take things so personally!
As a result, there is more lightness and confidence: no matter what lies ahead, I can handle it. Because I have understood a few basic things about myself that no one can take away from me now."
Surya Gied, Artist
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“If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
— Maya Angelou