Meet The Team

Scott Palyo and Kristin Long met over 20 years ago while working at St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Village and have been working together ever since.  They have presented nationally and internationally on creativity in psychotherapy, the importance of attunement within families, creating a collaborative team, the effects of divorce on children and families, anxiety in children, just to name a few. 

 

In addition to their own group practices, Kristin and Scott have also collaborated clinically while working with parents around creating scaffolding and additional care for their families.  Their desire to open Empowerment Life Skills Coaching stems from the successful teamwork from the last two decades and their investment in offering additional interventions to individuals and families who can benefit from coaching services.  Reach out and learn more! 

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Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn!

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn!​​​​​​​​​​

With thirty years of experience helping leaders, families, youth and communities rise above adversity and thrive, Jessica provides support and resources to help clients navigate professional and personal life transitions.

 

As a seasoned yoga, meditation and reiki practitioner with a master’s in public health from Columbia University, Jessica has an extensive background in executive, life, spiritual and relationship coaching. Areas of expertise include but are not limited to career transitions, families in crisis, addiction, disordered eating, intimacy and dating roadblocks, divorce, menopause, parenting, and LQTBQIA+ advocacy. For those interested in somatic healing, Jessica can integrate mediation, reiki and yoga into sessions, as a seasoned practitioner and teacher. Jessica is also available for sober coaching.

 

Jessica is 30 years sober and the proud mother of identical twins (recent college graduates). She serves on several nonprofit Boards and is listed as one of Newsweek’s 150 Fearless Women Who Shake the World, alongside Oprah Winfrey and Nobel Laureates as a defender of human rights. Jessica is also an Aspen Institute Scholar, Ashoka Changemaker and SELF Magazine Women Doing Good awardee, passionate about helping clients turn struggles into transformative opportunities.

 

Works With: children, teenagers, adults

Available For: in person (NYC) & virtual

Education: 
-Master’s in Public Health, Columbia University

-BA in Environmental Studies and English, University of Vermont

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Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn!

Taylor Beckman is a coach with a background in Creative Arts Therapy, passionate about empowering clients to build autonomy and resilience through storytelling, narrative work, and play-based approaches. Drawing on a collaborative and client-centered framework, Taylor partners with individuals to identify meaningful goals and tailor coaching strategies that align with their unique strengths and values.

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With deep experience supporting individuals navigating eating disorders and trauma, Taylor now focuses her coaching on areas such as body image, mindful eating, life transitions, and executive functioning. Her coaching style integrates creativity, curiosity, and structure—supporting clients to gain clarity, take action, and move forward with confidence.

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Before studying drama therapy, Taylor worked in the theater industry in the US and internationally and she knows first hand the healing property of the arts. Together with her clients, she makes sure to create a space where stories are held and heard in a relational and affirming way. When not in the office, she can be seen reading in a park, walking around one of New York's many museums, or catching up on The Great British Baking Show. Taylor strives to guide folks to live with confidence and joy in their bodies. 

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Works With: children, teenagers, adults

Available For: in person (NYC) & virtual

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Education:

-BA in Theatre & Psychology from Muhlenberg College

-MA in Drama Therapy from NYU

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Connect with Taylor on LinkedIn!

Jillian Bober has over a decade of experience working with children in diverse settings including camps, schools, and homes throughout the New York Metropolitan Area. She is dedicated to understanding and supporting your family’s unique needs.

In addition to parent coaching, Jillian possesses a unique perspective: she has served as both a head classroom teacher and S.E.I.T (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) for the past 6 years, collaborating and coordinating with related service providers, families, teachers and administrators. Jillian has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education, along with professional certifications in both Students with Disabilities and Early Childhood Education.

As a coach she is committed to empowering families to broaden their skillset with multi-sensory tools that meet each individual child’s needs. Jillian's philosophy centers around love and limit setting, guiding her interactions and approaches with each child. She takes the 4 domains below into deep consideration to get a sense of the whole child:
        •       Physical (gross and fine motor skills)
        •       Cognitive (academic strengths)
        •       Receptive and expressive language
        •       Social-emotional (self-regulation skills)

Jillian's approach emphasizes a nurturing and non-judgmental environment for every session.
 

Works With: children, teenagers

Available For: in person (NYC) & virtual

Education:

-Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education

-Master of Science in Education

from Bank Street College of Education

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Connect with Jillian on LinkedIn!

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For the last 25 years Katherine has lived and worked in NYC.  She was born in the Philippines, and believes that influenced her love of the outdoors and of travel.  When she is not working as a coach, you can find her with her dog (pictured here) Yuki either on a hiking trail or paddleboarding on the bay!  Katherine has worked as an educator and an Occupational Therapist in the New York City Department of Education, and before that worked in hospital settings.  As a life-skills coach, her intention to focus on a person-centered approach, which finds the strengths that are already existing, while listening to what goals are important to YOU!  Katherine has been working with people with various abilities and disabilities most of her career, and people describe her as sincere, approachable, caring, and compassionate. 

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Works With: children, teenagers, adults

Available For: in person (NYC) & virtual

 

Education

- BA in Physical Education from Lehman College

- MEd in Occupational Therapy from Springfield College

Cameron is a queer, certified mindfulness and meditation teacher and an ICF coaching candidate. He has been practicing mindfulness and studying Buddhism and emotional well-being since 2014, experiences that shaped his commitment to helping others heal, grow, and deepen self-understanding.

 

He works with people seeking greater clarity, self-awareness, personal growth, and emotional regulation; helping them get unstuck, make intentional decisions, and establish practices that support lasting change. His coaching spans life, spiritual, wellness, identity, career, and communication areas.

 

His approach is collaborative and rooted in curiosity; offering a lighthearted, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space for clients to think out loud and access their inner wisdom. 

 

Works with: teenagers, adults

Available for: in person (NYC) & virtual

Education:

-Certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher from MMTCP by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield

Sara Stock Mayo is a trained drama therapist, spiritual director, chaplain and community builder
living in Pittsburgh, PA. She has worked in clinical, educational and spiritual settings and has been an activist in her community.

 

As a coach, Sara is a compassionate listener who encourages drawing upon an individual’s or family system’s creativity to approach life’s challenges. Sara brings together the many aspects of her professional experience and passions in a holistic way that allows clients space for greater flexibility, setting appropriate boundaries and building resilience. A fierce advocate for parents and children, Sara brings personal experiences of navigating complicated medical and mental health systems while creating pathways for better family communication and relationship building, especially during the often challenging teen years.

Sara’s greatest pride comes from her two children, one in college and one in graduate school. She continues to work as a singer, poet and arts advocate as she works to create safe spaces for open dialogue, advocacy for marginalized communities and building bridges across the city
of Pittsburgh.

 

Works With: children, teenagers, adults

Available For: in-person (Pittsburgh) & virtual

Education:
-BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University
-MS in Drama Therapy from New York University
-Chaplaincy accreditation from UPMC Montefiore Hospital
-Spiritual Direction training from Moreh Derekh Spiritual Institute

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Connect with Sara on LinkedIn!

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Jeryl Orsino is a coach dedicated to helping clients build confidence, resilience, and purpose in their lives. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Trauma-Informed Psychology, she specializes in fitness, leadership, LGBTQIA+ empowerment, neurodivergent client coaching, and supporting individuals navigating anxiety and grief. Jeryl is passionate about creating inclusive, affirming spaces where clients feel empowered to step into their full potential.

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With over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, Jeryl brings both knowledge and heart to her work. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology, is an IPEC Certified Professional Coach, and previously served as Head Softball Coach at an NJCAA college. A former NCAA Division III three-sport athlete, she knows firsthand the discipline, teamwork, and determination it takes to pursue growth—qualities she now helps her clients cultivate in their own lives.

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Beyond athletics, Jeryl spent a decade as a musician and frontwoman of a pop-rock band, an experience that strengthened her love of connection, creativity, and inspiring others through authentic expression. Today, she weaves that same energy into her coaching—meeting clients with curiosity, empathy, and structure. Known as both a compassionate listener and a motivating guide, she partners with clients of all ages to support meaningful change.

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When she’s not working with clients, Jeryl can often be found outdoors paddle boarding, making music or art, or spending time with friends and family. Her approach is grounded, dynamic, and always centered on helping people move forward with confidence and clarity.

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Works With: all ages
Available For: in-person (NJ & surrounding areas) & virtual

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Education:

-B.S. in Exercise Physiology, Minor in Corporate Fitness

-IPEC Certified Professional Coach

-Pursuing M.A. in Trauma-Informed Psychology