Our Approach.

We look at things from a Whole System Perspective - leading to collaborative solutions that benefit the collective.

WE don’t believe anything happens in isolation.

Founded in principles of Ecology, Permaculture, and Regenerative Design we source insights & learning from the Whole Systems you are a part of.

Nature teaches us that everything has a place, and a role, that impacts everything else. When we work with that knowledge, instead of against it, we can build intelligent, resilient, adaptable systems.

In our modern world, we have specialists for just about anything - yet, your challenges, hopes, fears, interpersonal dynamics, goals, and habits weren’t created in a vacuum - they were formed inside the context of nested, and complex systems. As such, your solutions, new visions, & pattern changes need to consider these various factors to achieve true, lasting, and collectively beneficial success.

Nested Systems

  • Mind, Body, Heart, Spirit - What goes on in one impacts the rest - that's why when working with individuals we use somatic techniques and an embodied approach to help you access all your intelligence!

    You have many parts or voices within, sometimes they are aligned but often they want different things or bring different perspectives to the table. None of your parts are bad - but it is important to understand them and develop communication between them. Using principles based in IFS (Internal Family Systems) we help you to navigate your internal dynamics so you can face your circumstances with more clarity and grounding.

  • Work, family, home, community, fun, finance, spirituality, health - what is going on for you in one area of life is likely to impact the rest - AND - the skills you have in one area, are applicable elsewhere too!

    If you ever feel like "I don't know why I feel this way, or why I'm reacting this way, or how to handle this situation" you might find the solution hiding in a whole different area of your life!

    Your past, personality, and present also factor in here - understanding ourselves requires a big picture view.

  • In your relationships, you are two different personalities, with different preferences for communication, life, conflict, work etc.

    When working with relationships systems, or even in helping an individual process their relationship struggles or desires, we always look at what the dynamic is between you.

    Understanding the cycles you are both a part of helps reduce blame, increase curiosity, and ultimately builds relationship patterns that allow you both to thrive!

  • You are more than the sum of your parts. Your different preferences, ideas, priorities, and communication and conflict styles, influence each other to create a system that never existed before. That means unique dynamics & triggers, and also unique potential!

    We really believe you're better together, and that thriving is about looking at the bigger picture of who you are as a collective - what your resources, capacities, needs, and strengths are as a system!

  • All these other systems are nested within the context of your broader social, economic, and ecological environment.

    One of the biggest mistakes we see people making, is discounting the impact and influence of what's going on in the world around them, as a critical factor in their current state and wellbeing. Bringing understanding to the influence of our broader systems helps us to direct our energy and attention where it's most needed.

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”

- Desmond Tutu

Our Impact.

At Our Common - this Whole System Approach works its way into the ways we teach, lead, facilitate and coach. It also informs the way I (Sarah), do life!

In my one-on-one work - Life & leadership coaching, and Executive coaching, we don’t address anything in isolation - we look at your whole life, and welcome all the parts of you, to get to the heart of what’s keeping you stuck, and help you find the momentum you’re looking for.

In my approach to Relationship coaching, we move away from blame, and into curiosity together about your patterns and dynamics, the ways you influence each other - to help you create relationship dynamics that allow you both to thrive!

When working with teams & communities through team facilitation, coaching, & training, we look at your collective strengths, needs, and capacities to make sure you’re truly operating at your full potential. We make space for all voices to be heard, so that your whole collective can benefit from the insights of every individual. This approach helps us help you with improved communication, smoother conflict, and aligned decisions and actions!

In our community building group coaching program - Our Common Life - we teach a whole system approach for navigating relationships and community. It also informs how we connect and learn with each other in the program! Together we create a rich learning environment where there’s room for everyone to be on their own journey, and come with their own questions and learning style, while still all growing as a group!

“Sarah combines tangible frameworks, tools & skills, with an emotionally intuitive approach that leaves me feeling so held and supported each time I work with her.”

  • Kelsey Mech, Therapist & Business Owner

Our Promise.

Ideas are always free. You can always find more examples, tools, frameworks and reflections on our Free Resources page, on Instagram, or through our monthly Newsletter! These are all great ways to get a feel for our approach.

We would love to hear more about what you’re facing in life, relationship, community, or business so we can see if there’s a way that we might serve and support you! Reach out with inquiries and we’ll set up a call!

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