Sheri Gaynor
A Little Bit About Me
I am a psychotherapist, artist, author, and transformational life coach, weaving the alchemy of creativity and the wisdom of horses.
I’m a bit of a rebel and as such, not very good at staying in the lines and enjoy inspiring others to do the same.
I have a love/hate relationship with risk and challenge, so this appears to be my life path and what makes me good at helping others take small (or large) calculated leaps.
I am a gypsy through the blood of my maternal Great-Grandmother Sarah, and apparently, that lineage was strong, as I have an insatiable taste for adventure.
I am a fierce advocate for my clients and devotedly passionate about my work and feel blessed to have facilitated so many client awakenings.
Nature and animals are my sanctuaries and it’s where I spend my downtime…and a lot of my work days too.
I’d rather be hanging out in the field with my horse Dreamweaver Sunday and my dog Osa, than any place else on earth, except by your side, as an ally and cheerleader, for your personal growth.
Giggles, dusty boots, girlfriends and road trips are a few of my favorite things.
Want to know more? Keep scrolling for the professional version…
Professional Bio
Sheri Gaynor LCSW is a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist, a transformational life coach and the internationally respected author of “Creative Awakenings: Envisioning the Life of Your Dreams Through Art.”
For over 25 years, Sheri has been leading clients to success, dedicating her life to helping others access and manifest their deepest dreams. Sheri started her company, Creative Awakenings International, LLC., to encourage individuals to live authentic, creative and bold lives.
She weaves the power of transformational coaching, expressive arts, and equine facilitated learning/psychotherapy, to move clients out of their heads and into their true nature.
The Journey
Sheri spent the first half of her life attempting – without much success – to walk the “straight and narrow” cultural path. Her insatiable curiosity led her to explore many avenues, but none of them felt like home. The journey wasn’t always an easy one and much was learned through the school of hard knocks… a formidable education. Little did she know that by choosing to walk a “wide and crooked” creative road, she would find the trail to her authentic self and to living the life of her dreams.
As a native New Yorker, the events of September 2001 and the resulting death in the Towers of an old family friend, Sheri found herself questioning everything she had come to know. After a close examination of their core values, Sheri and her (ex) husband came to a deep understanding: life is short and time is precious. With that thought in mind, they decided to take a sabbatical – venturing across America in a 24-foot trailer, living outside the cultural box, spending quality time with ailing family, visiting with long-lost friends.
It was on the open road, that Sheri discovered the Terma Collective’s poem The Box and their stanza, “What is calling you?” Those four words shook her bones, woke her up and caused her to re-evaluate everything she’d come to think she knew. During the course of their cross-country adventure,
During her wild-hearted adventure, Sheri found the answer to that question and realized she could never go back to living an inauthentic life. It was her own creative awakening. Since then, there’s been no turning back… so to speak.
Education
In 1981 Sheri received her Associate of Arts degree from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, majoring in Photography. She received her Masters in Clinical Social Work from Barry University in 1988. Sheri’s art has been shown internationally and she has contributed various freelance writings and photographs to such publications as The Miami Herald, The Sun Sentinel, The Florida Post family of newspapers and the Aspen Times Weekly.
Sheri has twice been a presenter at the International Expressive Arts Therapy Conference and has served on their Board of Directors as Regional Co-Chair. In 2008 and 2009, she taught Continuing Education courses at the University of Utah School of Social Work’s Summer Institute, sharing her passion for expressive arts therapy and visual journaling. Sheri is an Eponaquest Instructor and Certified Level Two, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Facilitator (EAGALA).
Training and Certifications
- 2016 My Horses, My Healers Riding Certification, with Shelley Rosenberg
- 2014 Eponaquest Equine Facilitated Learning and Psychotherapy
- 2013-2014 One Year Apprenticeship with Linda Kohanov, Eponaquest Founder
- 2012 EASE Program, with Carol Roush
- 2010 Equine Assisted Growth and Learning (EAGALA),
Level 1 & 2
- 1996 Person-Centered Expressive Arts Therapy with Dr. Natalie Rogers, Foundations
- 1988 Masters in Clinical Social Work, Barry University
Faculty Presentations and Speaker Engagements
- University of Utah School of Social Work Summer Institute / Weekend workshop: Introduction to Expressive Arts
- International Expressive Arts Therapy Conference / Creative Awakenings: The Power of Visual Journaling to Manifest Intention
- International Equine Summit / Creative Awakenings Equus-heART Process: Supporting Veterans through Creativity, Guided Meditation, and Horses
Current Incarnation
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by Heart Light Digital