About Me

I'm a single mom originally from NYC now living in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Formerly a painter and designer (yup, I'm in front of one of my works), I now mostly write and illustrate. -Debbie Jacoby

My Education

Life Coach certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and The Flow Coaching Institute
Life Story Coach Certification, Renaissance Life Therapies
BA in Visual Art from Binghamton University, NYS
Extended Studies, Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC
MA in Visual Art from New York University

work history

Founded Ithaca Arts, a school in upstate NY . Developed a mixed media art program for children and adults.
Worked as an Art Teacher for the Guggenheim Museum affiliated program called Learning To Read Through the Arts.
Taught Museum Studies at The Queens Museum in NYC and at The Johnson Museum at Cornell University.

I am qualified to help in your journey of self-discovery through story telling because I have been through the process myself and know how powerful it can be. Through writing, I was able to release my feelings and thoughts, forgive myself and others, and re-frame my current life.

my memoir

When a close family member stopped talking to me, I was in shock. I felt that I needed to write to understand how this could have happened. The first chapter was the result of just one question. This lead to more questions and more chapters.

An "AHA" MOMENT

I even had to write scenes that never happened. After writing one in particular, I experienced a true catharsis, a shift in perspective that helped me accept this loss.

acceptance and resilience

Even if my memoir is never widely read, I feel that I have succeeded. It made me more resilient for the next challenge, when my marriage came to an end.

Your Story Life Coach