About Me
My name is Barbery Byfield. I have a Masters in Public Health, board certification in Wellness Coaching and additional certifications in Mindfulness and Mindful Eating. I’ve devoted my life to helping people achieve their health and wellness goals through group facilitation and one on one support. With grants and awards for my work with bariatric and weight loss patients, I’ve received the highest patient satisfaction scores every year of my employment at a major HMO.
More importantly, though, I’m a fellow human being who knows what it’s like to struggle with bulimia, depression and anxiety. It took a minute but I learned how to develop a self-care mindset, the key to deliberate wellness and I’m happy to share it with you.
I grew up in a family poorly equipped to handle life’s stressors. They chose alcohol and drugs and I soon developed my own disordered way (bulimia) to avoid unpleasant feelings. Luckily my mother was a fabulous cook and my father a boat builder and each taught me values that I have shared with others to improve their own relationship to self-care. Appreciating good food and woodworking I learned how to solve problems with curiosity (what would a recipe taste like with this ingredient), creativity (how can I make that hinge on a yoga bench) and a love of learning (two graduate degrees, dozens of trainings, numerous certifications and two innovation grants.)
Over the years I have worked in a clinic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a migrant camp in Maryland, a church based clinic in El Monte, CA, the largest HMO in the U.S. in Downey, CA and a psychiatric practice in Westwood. These experiences have taught me that no matter which health challenge people face, those who succeed long term in achieving their goals have what I call a self-care mindset.
Like me, many people grow up turning to substances or unhealthy activities to numb the pain and discomfort that comes with being a human on planet earth in a society that emphasizes doing over being, getting over giving and increasingly believing that one is never, ever enough. By trial and error (diets, crazy exercise machines, self help programs, self improvement books, apps, medication and therapy) I finally discovered a lifestyle that works for my mental and physical health and the tool that allows me to live it day by day, wherever I am. That tool is a Self-care Mindset cultivated through Mindfulness.
Fifteen years ago my distracted driving caused a car crash and I finally accepted help for untreated anxiety and depression, which included a Mindfulness group. Feeling peace for the first time during meditation I dove into the practice and became trained by UCLA as a facilitator. In my work as a health educator I then trained as a Mindful Eating Facilitator so I could offer this tool to my weight loss patients. And I was board certified by the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) to work individually with clients.
For the past twenty years I have witnessed the strengths and weaknesses of the Western Medical model which has only recently recognized how stress and lifestyle habits contribute to our high rates of chronic physical and mental illness. Humans do not like to feel discomfort yet very few of us have learned healthy coping skills for those moments when life feels like too much, too little, too hard, too sad, too…too. I am happy to now share the evidence based tools I have gathered over the years that we can use 24/7, in any moment, to make a wise choice. We all have what it takes to live an authentic life; I’ll see you in a moment!
My Philosophy
There is nothing wrong with you! You are perfectly designed and all your life experiences have given you the skills, strengths and resources necessary to live a values-driven life through a Self-care Mindset. There is a reason behind all choices which can be uncovered in a gentle way that supports your needs for safety, comfort, connection, creativity, community, joy, purpose, meaning, pleasure, intimacy, fun and optimal health. Once these reasons are known you will understand and, in time, forgive and experience compassion for yourself and others for the suffering you have encountered in life.
From this place of self compassion you can ask for and accept support (from self and others) which fuels your Self-care Mindset, that lives, breaths and flexes with you 24/7 as you meet life’s demands and opportunities. This mindset reveals your authentic self in any given moment, guiding you towards consistent, reliable choices which serve your value driven goals. Taking care of your authentic self you can then take care of others, where you live, work and play and out in the world at large with compassion and curiosity about self and others.
I am happy to work with you one on one and in group to support your journey of self discovery, development and design!
Homage to my mother, Barbara Ninde Byfield, author of
The Eating in Bed Cookbook, 1966