Your life is meant for more than just “survival.”
Yes, really. (And some part of you knows it, too, otherwise why would you be here? 😏)
But believe me when I say, I know it isn’t easy. When we’re taught from a young age that we’re too much or not enough (or both!), we can end up stuck in painful cycles of trying to fix, control, suppress, or contain ourselves.
Over time, we forget all about the things that we love — what lights us up, what gives our lives a sense of meaning and aliveness, and ultimately, who we are.
Instead, we end up with a life that sort of… happens to us, rather than a life we built with intention and care.
If you’re anything like me, you might not have noticed until you slammed headfirst into burnout, chronic illness, or my personal favorite, total shutdown. But the good news is, when you hit that wall, it’s the perfect time to get creative.
Coaching with me is an experimental space, where we explore big questions and try new things, while still honoring your nervous system, brain, body, and soul (or core self, however you choose to look at it!).
We’re saying “No thanks!” to… 🤔
- Turning your gorgeous human experience into “Fix Myself Project 2.0”
- Using shame and urgency as motivators
- Overthinking so hard that you’re basically living in your head more than experiencing your life!
And We’re saying “Heck Yeah!” to… 🤠
- Reconnecting with curiosity, play, and joy
- Getting curious about when therapy speak and self-reflection are just a mental fidget spinner, keeping you occupied
- Tapping into your innate energy to rediscover what lights you up
To be clear, this isn’t about a “glow up” (though if it brings you joy to claim that, by all means, do!).
It’s really just enjoying the cool, weird, clever, and creative person that you already are — and using your strengths to make the most of your life, here and now. 💜
My vibe as a coach…
🎉 Joyful: I’m here to be your biggest cheerleader, reminding you of who you are and what you’re here to do.
💡 Insightful: Like your super nerdy, self-help bestie whose reflections leave you feeling [lovingly] “attacked.”
🔍 Curious: I’m not here to judge. Chances are, whatever mistake you’ve made is one I’m all too familiar with — you’re not going to scare me!
🪗 Weird: I’m going to crack jokes. Laughing your way through is a highly underrated coping skill.
CURIOUS? Schedule a discovery call!
1:1 Offerings
🪴 1:1 Coaching
Deeper, more dynamic work.
What it is: Weekly or twice monthly coaching, as long as you need or want it! Let’s support you in shifting away from survival mode and into a life that feels more playful, creative, courageous, and supported.
My approach draws from:
- Somatics (tapping into the body as a source of wisdom),
- Positive psychology (the study of well-being and happiness), and
- Culturally-responsive narrative coaching (examining the stories we hold about ourselves, and how these intersect with the culture at large).
Cost: $225 USD per session (65 mins). I recommend at least four sessions, but I will never lock you into a contract — you’re the boss!
🧠 Brain Untangling
Short-term, focused support.
What it is: A pep talk with a plan! If you feel stuck or immobilized in a specific area of your life, and want actionable advice for sorting through the mess in your mind, this is for you.
I’ll meet you with compassionate clarity — you bring your overwhelm and overthinking brain. Let’s make it manageable again.
Neurodivergent brains are enthusiastically welcomed — it’s okay to outsource your executive function!
Cost: $150 USD (50 minute call + follow-up email), with the option of adding additional calls as-needed.
Curious about the vibe? Schedule a free discovery call! ☎️
Group Offerings
🔥 Authentic Movement
Supported stimming/dancing space
What it is: Like a dance party, with the goal of unmasking and moving through whatever energy comes up! Curated playlists with supported guidance helps attendees move toward aliveness and joy. Can be done in bed, seated, or standing — it’s up to you!
When is it? Currently building a waitlist!
Sliding Scale: $25-40 USD per person (60 mins).
Pay what you can? Yes! Limited spots reserved.
🕯️ Writing Our Selves
Monthly virtual workshop
What it is: We’ll use stream of consciousness writing, somatic prompts and rituals, and gentle shares to deepen the connection between mind, body, soul, and community through creative, heartfelt expression.
When is it? When this group receives enough interest, I’ll reach out with proposed dates!
Sliding Scale: $25-40 USD per person (60 mins).
Pay what you can? Yes! Limited spots reserved.
📌 Questions? You can also read my FAQ!
Your message has been sent
My work as a coach is…
Neuro-affirming
I work well with neurodivergent folks and prioritize accessibility and flexibility.
Trauma-informed
I understand that our nervous systems and histories of harm impact how we show up.
Non-hierarchical
I don’t view myself as the expert — I coach from a place of curiosity and lived experience.
QUestions you might have…
What exactly is a neuro-affirming coach?
In short, a neuro-affirming coach is someone whose support is informed by the neurodiversity paradigm and movement.
Neurodiversity-affirming support is:
- Strengths-based, focusing on your strengths rather than any so-called deficits
- Culturally competent, meaning that neurodivergence is viewed not as a medical diagnosis, but instead, within a social, political, and cultural context
- Non-pathologizing, so it focuses on accommodation and self-defined goals without the use of a medicalized lens (which attributes any challenges neurodivergent people face to an inherent illness or disorder which requires “treatment” or masking)
To learn more about what neurodiversity-affirming really means to me in my own words, this article offers an overview as it applies to therapists in particular (but can be applied to coaches as well!).
Do I need to be diagnosed with something to work with you?
No diagnosis is required to work together! I validate self-identification and my approach is not centered on the medical paradigm. I’m here to support you as a whole human being, not just a cluster of diagnoses.
So is this therapy or mental health treatment?
This is not therapy or mental health treatment!
While my background as a mental health journalist and educator (and my lived experience within that system!) can be a helpful reference point, this does not make any service I offer a comparable substitute for working with a licensed mental health provider.
I am best understood as a very knowledgable and empathetic peer coach.
How do virtual sessions work?
All sessions are virtual, hosted on an encrypted video platform called Whereby (which is similar to Zoom, but in my opinion, a better option for most clients).
If you have specific accommodations that you need to access my services, please let me know! I can adapt and find additional tools where needed.
Do you reserve any free or low-income spots?
Due to recent medical crises, I’m not currently offering free or low-income coaching to new clients (just my existing ones!).
You’re more than welcome to reach out to be added to a waitlist, or to join a group that I offer!
What relevant experience do you bring to this work?
Professionally, I have been a journalist and educator focusing on psychoeducation and neurodivergence since 2014.
I’ve also helped develop curriculum and resources as a consultant to mental health organizations and clinicians for several years. While I’m not a licensed clinician, my background as an educator brings an insightful, actionable, and accessible feel to my work.
As a lived experience advocate, sharing my own journey as a neurodivergent person in service of others — especially how I’ve come to understand them from a less medicalized perspective — has also resonated deeply with the clients I work with.
Do you have any degrees or certifications?
Academic Degrees
I have a BA in Anthropology, with a focus on medical anthropology (meaning, I studied how our ideas of wellness, health, and illness are shaped by cultural, historical, and political factors), and another BA in Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
This means that you can expect our work together to be, at times, very “zoomed out,” focusing on the relationship between the personal and the cultural/political.
Certifications
I am currently working toward certification as a positive psychology practitioner, which is a CPD-accredited program to deepen my skillset as a coach utilizing positive psychology (or, the subset of psychology focused on the “science” of purpose, meaning, and joy, rather than deficits and pathology!).
However, if there are specific coaching credentials that you consider very important when you decide to work with someone, I completely understand! You should opt for whatever guardrails you need to feel supported and safe.
Would you consider yourself trauma-informed?
Yes, to the extent that is possible for me as a peer!
While I can’t provide mental health “treatment” like a therapist or clinician would, as a coach, you won’t be burdened with educating me about trauma (beyond your own unique and specific relationship to these experiences!) during our time together.
To a get a deeper sense of how I understand trauma, I would recommend reading this article I wrote.
What identities do you hold?
While a list of identities can’t encompass the totality of a person’s experiences, I know this context is important in understanding how power and privilege may show up in our work together.
Race/ethnicity
I am mixed race. Ethnically, I am a 3rd generation Maltese-American. I grew up very connected to Maltese culture, so I often find overlap with folks who had a multicultural upbringing or recent immigration in their family, especially folks of Mediterranean, Southwest Asian, and North African descent.
Class & family system
I grew up in a blue collar household and am college-educated. I have experienced housing, food, and financial insecurity connected to my struggles as an adult survivor of complex trauma.
Gender & sexuality
I am queer and a transgender man.
Disability
I have AuDHD and a history of complex trauma. I have experienced and since recovered from chronic illness.
Spirituality
I was raised secular and have studied a lot of different faiths and spiritual orientations. I personally practice folk magic rooted in island theologies, especially connected to my Maltese heritage.
Are you comfortable working with folks who don’t share your identities?
Yes! I know that power dynamics will impact our working relationship, so staying attuned to how this shows up is a non-negotiable part of our work together.
I will communicate when I’m not able to provide support, either because someone holds structural power in way I’m not able to navigate personally (aka “allies”), or when another practitioner may be better suited to support someone.
Sam Dylan Finch 