Amelia Bolyard
Children's embodiment coach
Amelia is Alta's first associate. She is aligned with it's mission of equipping those who want to create a more respectful, nurturing society for children. Amelia comes with keen instinct and years of experience in doing just that. We are thrilled to learn from each other.
Amelia's Story
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 an invocation; 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 it's mission of providing support and cultivating joy within children and their families, as I continue to learn and expand 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
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Unhoused and displaced families healing from trauma - Coach and advocate
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Freehold Theater Prison Outreach Program at Washington Corrections Center for Women - Theater/Movement/Music Program Co-facilitator and Instructor
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Childhaven - Creative/Therapeutic Movement - Instructor to ages five and under.
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Boys & Girls Club, Rainier Vista - Creator and Facilitator of Big/Little Sisterhood mentorship program
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Madrona Middle School, South Shore PK-8, and Seattle Alternative Schools, Summit K-12 and AS1 - Artist in Residence
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New Holly Tutoring Program - Volunteer tutor K- 8
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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
A Family's Testimonial
"Amelia has changed all of our lives for the better. She is a light that shines so bright, and we’re grateful to have encountered her.
"Our son is very sensitive and non-neurotypical, he has challenges with impulse control, and typically won't accept care from anyone but immediate family. Amelia has turned out to be a wonderful exception to this precedent--not only does he trust her to spend time with him, he also looks forward to and really enjoys their time together.
"Amelia's holistic approach to working with our son has helped us and him. It has allowed all of us to experience healing and learn how to regulate ourselves as well as our child.
"It is a true gift for us to know that when we are experiencing inter-family hardship or one of us isn’t available, [Our child] can depend on Amelia to offer additional support. She is always regulated and has given our son words for his feelings and tools to express his big emotions. She supports and honors his vitality, and can listen in a way that myself or my partner are sometimes unable to.
"It is not hyperbole to describe her as a miracle worker or angel--she is! Most importantly, she is always present and focused on the goal of families working with and loving each other to the fullest extent possible.
"We love you Amelia!"