Exploring Life & Business with Celia Behar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Celia Behar.

Hi Celia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started out in the entertainment industry. I earned my B.A in drama from Ithaca College and moved to NYC soon after where I pursued acting and sang in a band based in my hometown of Westport, CT. Eventually, I ended up working at the Sundance Channel in their PR and Marketing department and from there I moved into the Creative Department of Showtime where I worked as an Admin and Production Assistant. I enjoyed my time there while also auditioning and performing, but I never felt as if any of it was my true calling.

By some strange twist of fate, I was downtown on 9/11 and was lucky enough to make it home that night. What I saw that day and during the days that followed when I volunteered at Ground Zero made me realize that it was time for a change.

For as long as I can remember I have loved to help people. Therefore, it only made sense to go into a helping profession so I returned to school and obtained my Masters in Counseling at Hunter College. I then went on to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Rehabilitation Counselor, Permanent School Counselor, Vocational Counselor, and ABA Therapist. I guess you could say I’m a bit of an overachiever! Not bad for a dyslexic and dysgraphic kid that was told she likely wouldn’t graduate from high school!

Once I moved to LA, I decided to combine all of my training and start my own Life Coaching practice. Now I help numerous clients in a multitude of ways. I really try to take the time to build relationships with everyone I work with. It’s far more of a give and take experience than what typical counseling tends to be. I want each and every person I work with to live their lives to the fullest by removing any obstacle in their way. I want them to feel seen, heard and for them to know that anything and anyone can change.

Over the last 18 years, I’ve learned to believe that just about anything is possible. Both good and bad. I went from working with “At Risk” kids in upstate New York to having my own practice in Los Angeles. I also get to revisit my creative side by co-hosting a podcast with my best friend, Jodie Sweetin. I have two wonderful daughters and an amazing support network of friends. On the flip side, I went through a painful divorce, and about five years ago, I lost my younger sister to cancer. Why am I sharing the “bad” stuff? Because it has all made me who I am and I have learned that sharing my experience helps others feel less alone. I use my experiences with loss and grief in my work. Regardless of how many degrees and certifications I have, nothing has taught me more than sitting in, and working through, my own experiences.

I provide hour-long sessions – mostly virtual – to clients all over the country. Almost nothing brings me as much joy as helping others find their purpose. I am so grateful to have found mine.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is any road ever smooth?? Certainly not in my life! Between the divorce, my sister dying, and other heartbreaks along the way, I’ve had to handle and overcome a lot on my own all while single parenting. There have been some very dark times where I felt I was cursed or something! Over the last year, I’ve worked really hard to embrace the struggles as much as the successes, to give up control (as much as a control freak can), and to let life lead me to the next chapter.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Unlike typical therapy, where people often feel no real connection to the person they are working with, I strive to create a true connection. I want those I work with to truly trust me so that we can build a unique and positive dynamic together. I like to assist my clients in seeing the bigger picture. If we are stuck in one place, we are most often stuck in many. I provide coaching that truly explores all areas of self – as everything from work to relationships tends to follow patterns in our lives. Once those patterns are identified and their nature of origin is uncovered, change is able to begin organically. I also provide a true, real HOUR session – not a “Therapy” hour, because why not?!

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
It was widely known that one of my teachers in high school would rarely write college recommendations but when she did, she always wrote them around one word she felt described the student best. Somehow I convinced her to write one for my applications, and the word she chose for me was… “forthright”. In retrospect, I suspect that’s why she agreed to write the recommendation for me. I pushed my way out of being the shy kid with learning disabilities to an adult who is straightforward, outgoing, and honest. I believe that if you don’t ask, you don’t get, that there is no such thing as “failure” because there is always a lesson to be learned when things don’t go as planned, and that it’s always best to take the risk and not get your way than to give up and maintain the status quo if you aren’t happy. In other words, when I see what I want, I go for it!

Pricing:

• Typical price is $200 per hour session

Contact Info:

• Website: www.celiabehar.com
• Instagram: theceliabehar

Image Credits
First photo: Holly Randall
Second photo: Robert Hayman Iconography
Third and Fourth photo: Lee Cherry
Fifth photo: Jennifer Skog