Relating
powerfully means understanding
and gaining mastery with the dynamics
which underlie all our relationships–
in the family, in the workplace, or in other areas of life.
Ours is a supportive, interventional, solution-seeking, education-oriented process, designed to give you tools to make all your relationships go more smoothly. Regardless of who you love or how you love, our goal is help you love more fully and authentically.
We don't have canned solutions, but instead have a process for exposing those things that get in the way of your relationships, and developing new models for dealing with those blocks. All our relationships with others, whether at home, work, school, or public, are dependent on our relationship with ourselves. Creating an ability to know what you want, and what you don't; how to get what you want cooperatively with others; and how to feel both safe and valued, is what we're about.
What we offer:
Individual or Family Coaching
We will work with individuals, couples, families, or small groups to help develop more depth and support in their relationships through effective communication. Most of the time, the work occurs as a free-form discussion, with the intent of helping you use our tools to deal with your existing issues. We will listen to your current issues, then describe our tools and concepts, and discuss with you how you might best apply them to those issues. NOTE: Where possible, we prefer to do this coaching in person, most often in 2-hour sessions. However, we are also happy to set up phone coaching sessions for clients who are geographically far, or for those who need to fit sessions in during the workday, or for other special needs. Contact us via e-mail (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com) to discuss which options will work best for your needs, or to schedule a free, 1-hour introductory session.
Workshops
We can present to groups of up to 50 people on general relationship topics such as Making Agreements, Jealousy, Personal Ads, Safer Sex/Safer Relating, and Effective Communication, as well as on several topics related to polyamory (the conscious choice to love more than one person simultaneously). We can also present workshops on conscious relating, and effective relating for nontraditional (as well as “traditional”) relationships. If you’d like us to present to your group, please contact us (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com). Additionally, we’re always open to developing new workshops upon request; feel free to drop us a line (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com) to discuss your particular needs.
Intentional Weddings &
Ceremonies
Our coaching work was originally an outgrowth of our work performing and helping people create what we call Intentional Weddings & Ceremonies. Through an interactive, cooperative, creative process, we assist people in making commitment vows that help the relationship survive and flourish over time. This process usually takes between 6 weeks and 6 months, consisting of about six sessions spaced at least a week apart, with homework for the bride(s) and/or groom(s). If desired, we can perform as well as plan the ceremony. Additionally, we can assist with relationship change rituals, divorces, family commitment ceremonies, and relationship transitions of all kinds. You can read more on the Ceremonies page if you’re so inclined. To schedule a free, 1-hour session to find out whether we’d be a good match for your needs, feel free to contact us via e-mail (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com).
Discussion Groups
We sometimes host discussion groups, usually to help us research a particular issue. Discussion group topics have included Managing Jealousy, Poly for Introverts, “Suddenly Poly” (for those new to polyamory, or experiencing new challenges), Safer Sex, Safer Emotionality/Safer Relationships, Making Agreements, and Tantra. Our most recent research/discussion groups were on the topic of The Five Love Languages, and an occasional group led by our friend Brian Bourke on the topic of “Love, Sex, and Intimacy: What and Why?”. All discussion groups are free/low cost (a small donation is requested to cover costs; no one turned away for lack of funds), and drop-in. Come for one, or come for all, depending on your interest and schedule. Please contact us via e-mail (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com) to find out where and when the next meeting(s) will be.
Mediated Discussions
As with a coaching session, we use the coaching tools to expose assumptions that are getting in the way, while endeavoring to keep the involved parties from becoming so escalated that the discussion cannot go forward. Most mediated discussions are a single, two hour session in which there is a specific goal, most often to resolve a particular issue.
Here are some of the features of a mediated discussion:
There is a specific goal, usually resolving a
particular issue.
We create and maintain the space.
We will use the coaching tools to expose
assumptions that are getting in the way.
We will endeavor to keep the involved parties
from becoming so escalated that the discussion cannot go forward.
It is usually a single, two hour session.
Management Coaching
We also coach corporate managers in how to get the most out of their working relationships, enabling them to get the best performance from their employees, and to communicate more effectively with their peers and with those to whom the manager reports. Management coaching can take place at your place of work, by phone, or at another location to be arranged. Drop us a line (coaching [at] mandalaenterprises [dot] com) to discuss how we can best serve the needs of you and your company.
Some common questions:
Who are you?
Educated at and employed by UC Berkeley for many years, Dawn Davidson is a Certified Interchange Counselor. Since 2007 she has served the polyamory community as a Loving More Non-profit board member.
Akien MacIain studied computer science, has worked in the computer field since 1983, and began managing teams in 1988. He has also served on the Loving More Non-profit board since 2006. He believes we are all our own best teachers.
Together, Dawn & Akien have two amazing children, and have been married and co-creating weddings for others since 1990, and relationship coaching since 1998. They are dedicated to intentional family and community, and believe that the power of the heart to love is infinite.
You say you do “coaching.” What does that mean? Are you therapists?
We are not therapists. As coaches, we offer pro-active advice, often suggesting tools based on our own experience, including what we've learned from a wide variety of backgrounds and trainings. We help you use those tools by checking in and reflecting on your progress. We coach you on how to make the best of your current relationships (including but not limited to your relationship with yourself), and, depending on your personal needs, on how to find relationships that work for you.
What are your sources?
We draw from a variety of sources, including but not limited to modern psychology, ancient Zen teachings, neurology, the work of Scott Taylor, Richard Bach, Dan Millman, Barry Neil Kaufmann, Bruce Ecker and Laurel Hulley, Dean Lobovits and Jenny Freeman, Lori Grace Star, Marshall Rosenberg, Mark Michael Lewis, Steve Bearman, Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques, and Landmark Education... And each other, in a relationship that has seen a lot since 1987.
What do you teach?
Making agreements that work
Self responsibility
How to feel safe
How to find and feel your value
Self empowerment
Negotiating skills
How to create solutions that work
How to question society in functional ways
Dealing with jealousy
How to create wider perspective
How to relax
The dynamics of relationships
...and more, depending on specific needs.
What are people saying
about Mandala Enterprises?
About coaching with Dawn & Akien:
“I
had the chance to work with Dawn and Akien in couples coaching, individual
coaching, and even one session of household coaching. In each case, I received
the compassionate and insightful guidance and helpful tools that I needed to
move through a stuck place. The particular benefit of receiving coaching
from Dawn and Akien is that they each bring their full selves to the session,
providing wisdom from their individual and collective experiences, in an open
and non-judgmental manner. Also, because Dawn and Akien are opposites in
many ways, they were able to reflect the opposite facets in my relationship
with my partner. I recommend coaching with Dawn and Akien to couples and
individuals who face issues around non-traditional relationships, and who want
support in moving beyond their own fears and deep-seated hurts and stories to a
place of greater compassion and acceptance of themselves.” – WT,
After workshops:
“I really enjoy your honesty …. I am so glad
to see that I am not the only person getting jealous. I have been using some of
the tools from the workshop to get through the hard times and am very
appreciative of your help.” –Pat M.
"Y'all
rock! Thanks for the wealth of info, clear communication, and compassion."
--B.B.S.,
“Thanks
for being a catalyst to loving more :)” –Juli,
About Dawn & Akien, and co-presenter
Francesca Gentille after their
2005 “Intro to Polyamory” workshop:
"Funny
and informative," "present, grounded," "lively!"
"very committed and unpretentious," "empathetic, loving,"
"wonderful, exciting," "worked very well as a team,"
"very knowledgeable, insightful, open, funny, animated."
How can I get more information?