Dr. Elizabeth-Anne Stewart, BCC, PCC
About Me
MISSION
Having been delivered
from the dark places
on eagle's wings,
I commit myself
to helping others discover
their own eagle-energy...
Having received the gifts
of Image Guidance
and flights of poetry,
I commit myself
to empowering others
to recognize their own gifts...
Having been grasped
by Love beyond all telling,
I commit myself
to serving that Love,
wherever it may take me...
Spiritual Guidance for the C21st
Inner Guidance
What are the questions you are asking right now? What makes sense or no longer has relevance? What is creating comfort or discord in your life? What still really matters or has ceased to be important? Do your core beliefs still "work" for you, or are you exploring a broader spiritual universe? Does this universe excite you or terrify you? These questions have no easy answers; the Good News is that you can venture into unchartered territory through Life Coaching or through Spiritual Direction -- I offer both, working with individuals as well as with teams.
The deepest dimension of Self manifests when we lovingly accept our interconnection with all living beings, as well as with the Earth, which is our home. When we learn to see ourselves as mirrors of the Divine, as bearers of the Divine Breath, and as sparks of the Divine Fire, then we live differently. Gone are the old habits, the unsuccessful ways of navigating through complexities, the repeated errors of judgment, the narrow ways of viewing others, the limited imagination, and the heresy of negative thinking. Instead, all things are possible: walls tumble down, bridges extend across chasms, ladders rise heavenwards, and we are gifted with epiphanies, great and small.
Whether working with groups or individuals, my goal is to assist clients tap into the extraordinary capacities within. As a Life Coach, Spiritual Guide, Mentor Coach, Writing Coach, Retreat Facilitator, and Motivational Speaker, I will share with you what I've learned in more than thirty-five years of inner exploration. Clients have included authors, artists, clergy, graduate students, secular and religious institutions, CEO's, small business owners, and clients "in transition." I am available to meet with you or your group in person, or else to work with you via conference call or Zoom.
The Road Less Traveled
"The task of the Spiritual Seeker
is to see beyond the 100,000 veils which separate us from Ultimate Mystery."
Much of my work has been with those in leadership positions, especially life coaches, educators and religious professionals. I work with individuals and teams so that they can work most effectively with their constituents.
My ideal client is someone who wants to reach for the stars but needs a little encouragement getting there!
As a Life Coach and Spiritual Director, I especially enjoy Mentor Coaching as this is one way of "paying forward" the gifts I have received. I also work with coaches who are in a certification process or who dream of writing their first book!
My Bio
My Story in a Nutshell
Born in England and raised both in England and on the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta, I have always been a leader with multiple interests, inexhaustible energy and a delight in creativity. I love people and especially enjoy the roles of teacher and guide; nothing pleases me more than to be the midwife of an "Ah Ha" moment, a catalyst for meaningful change and for a growth in awareness. As a faculty member at DePaul University, I was known as "The Great Motivator," a quality that to this day remains the hallmark of my Life Coaching and of other areas of professional life. I like to think of myself as constantly engaged in the Transformation of Consciousness -- both my own and that of others.
Academic Background
Over the years, I have collected a variety of degrees and certificates: a B.A. (Hons.) in English from the University of Malta (1973); an M.A. (Summa Cum Laude) in English from DePaul University, Chicago (1976); a D.Min. in Poetry from the Graduate Theological Foundation, Indiana (1989); a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Claret Center, Chicago (1989); a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Malta (1999). In 2010, I completed a Dip. (TM) TESOL, Eurolink/ Dip. CoT (TESOL), U.K. becoming a Fellow of The College of Teachers. I am also a Board Certified Life Coach (BCC) and am credentialed by The International Coaching Federation (ICF) as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).
Current
Private practice as a Life Coach, Coach Educator, Spiritual Director, Writing Coach, and Mentor Coach.
* Owner, The Ministry Coaching Foundation
* On faculty at the Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT)
* On faculty at St. Xavier University, Chicago
Narrative Summary
More than ever, the world is in need of spiritual guidance. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold," wrote W.B. Yeats in the aftermath of WW I. No matter how dire the predictions, I believe we have the choice to move beyond fear and apathy into a future of amazing possibilities.
A Professional Certified Coach (PCC-ICF), Board-Certified Coach (BCC), and Spiritual Director, I have 35+ years' experience offering inner guidance, retreats, and seminars; I hold a PhD in Theology from the University of Malta, Europe, and have published 12 books, including Mind-Shifting Imagery: Image Guidance for Life Coaches. I also publish Sunday BibleTalk, a weekly E-commentary on the Sunday liturgical readings. My new book, Unlocking Epiphany Moments: A Primer for Life Coaches and Other Inner Guides, will be released by Collective Ink, UK, early in 2025.
On faculty at The Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT), I have facilitated Implementary Mastery Sessions for WBECS-Coaching.com since 2019; in September 2023, I was honored to be featured on Coaching.com's' "Coach Showcase." You can see my presentation on YouTube: Unlocking Epiphany Moments in Coaching.
Though I serve primarily in Christian contexts, I work with clients from every faith tradition as well as those without a formal religious affiliation. I am available for individual and group retreats, motivational seminars, and creativity workshops. My background uniquely positions me to assist teams explore their vision/mission, develop ministry skills, and extend their pastoral reach. From 2019-2023, I served as Director of Education for ThrivingTogether, an ICF Level One Ministerial Coach Training Program at The Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (CTU).
Recently, I launched The Ministry Coaching Foundation to serve as a provider of ongoing coaching education and ministry formation. My ICF-accredited 40-hour, 4-module course, Transformational Coaching, is currently in session for two cohorts of coaches. For details, please visit my website; ICF coaches can earn up to 40 CCEUs for attending all four modules. The course can also be used for educational hours by those seeking the ACC via the ICF-Portfolio track. As a certified ICF Assessor, I am also providing additional mentoring support for participants in this category.
As a teacher and spiritual guide, I am committed to expanding consciousness and compassion through the inward journey; my goal is to assist spiritual seekers in connecting more deeply with their Divine Source, thereby helping them tap into the extraordinary capacities within. To this end, I work with individuals and teams who believe that it is possible to move beyond "bad news" and limiting circumstances to create a new reality, not only for humankind but for all creation. Nicknamed "The Great Motivator" when I taught at DePaul University, I encourage clients to re-discover the fire within, to re-kindle their enthusiasm, and to re-commit to a life of service.
This journey always begins with the desire to move into a healthier, happier future. It involves "waking up" and daring to leave one's comfort zone; it entails identifying personal strengths and naming areas that might need development; it means discovering one's passions and designing a life that is both purposeful and fulfilling.
Professional Memberships
CASD: Chicago Area Spiritual Directors
ICF: International Coaching Federation (ICF Assessors, ICF Coach Educators,
ICF "CoachBok" Committee, ICF Chicago Chapter)
SDI: Spiritual Directors International
ITMS: International Thomas Merton Society
Coaching.com: Professional Facilitator
PPA: Professional Photographers of America
NEA: National Education Association
Interests
Over the years, my range of interests has included teaching, spiritual direction, retreats, life coaching, writing coaching, public speaking coaching, relationship coaching, healing with the imagination, photography, motivational seminars, and teaching Argentine Tango! Each of these seemingly unrelated activities demands full active listening, mindfulness, responsive presence, and positive regard for the client; the breadth and depth of these interests require flexibility, creativity, and ongoing learning— all invaluable skills for any spiritual guide!
