Jodi Harris

My Story

Hi – I’m Jodi. I grew up in a small town in Central Texas surrounded by miles-and-miles of ranch land, caliche dust, cedar brush and stars in the night sky as far as the eye can see. I read a lot, free-ranged with my friends anywhere we could pass through the barbed wire, played tons of basketball and had a big imagination. Central Texas is a place that gets under your skin. It’s still my favorite place in the world. But I never thought I’d stay there.

From my earliest memories I was obsessed with far-away places and I dreamed of traveling the world – often looking out across the field behind our house and imaging what would happen if I just started walking. I wasn’t especially brave, but I knew I wanted to travel and a school trip to Mexico City at the age of 14 only solidified my wanderlust. There was no looking back.

Like anyone, there were times when I wasn’t sure where my path would lead.  And yet, no matter where I’ve called home – from Belfast to Antananarivo, from Santo Domingo to Tokyo – living a globally mobile life has been a significant part of what makes me, Me. I can definitely say that living a life in the space between “home” and “away” is my normal.

I created World Tree Coaching to meet the needs of the expat community after years of supporting globally mobile people in a wide-array of settings. The transition has always felt like a calling – merging my background in education, corporate training, mental health and intercultural support. I cannot imagine a more suited path for my passions, beliefs, and world view than supporting people in finding a sense of home no matter where life takes them.

I am incredibly grateful to be able to share this global adventure with my spouse (whom I met while performing Shakespeare in another small Texas town)  and three children. I am nurtured and sustained by their love and shared passion for a global life. And I still like to read, can’t resist picking up a basketball, and will always choose nature over the indoors.

My Professional Background

I launched World Tree Coaching in October 2013, to support individuals living and working across cultures. I currently hold the International Coach Federation’s’ Associate Certified Coach (ACC)  credential. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Clinical Social Work and Conflict Resolution. I am also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Texas and Virginia*.

I believe deeply in the importance of cultivating an understanding of the connections between the mind and body. I am a mindfulness teacher – recognized as a Senior Facilitator in Personal Leadership and certified to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). I have worked in settings ranging from health care, mental health, education, corporate and non-profit training, and program management. I’m a passionate advocate for the globally mobile community. I served as Vice President on the Executive Committee of Families in Global Transition for 4 years beginning in October 2019.

I have worked with individuals who are experiencing the challenges of cross-cultural adaption for nearly 20 years. My experience includes work with immigrants to the United States, students, trauma survivors, serial expats, diplomats and members of the military and their family members, and Peace Corps volunteers.

*Please Note: I am longer providing individual coaching services. Moreover, I do not provide clinical social work or therapy/counseling services through World Tree Coaching, LLC. If you are looking for information on my clinical social work background, more information is available here. I continue to provide mindfulness training programs throughout the year and on request. Click here to learn more about my mindfulness training programs or email me to request more information.

My Beliefs

The World Tree, an ancient spiritual symbol, perfectly captures my core belief that living between cultures offers an incredible gift of learning. It represents strength and sustenance. It symbolizes stretching up to the heavens, grounding down to the Earth and reaching out for the experiences that help us grow.

 

The Tree Trunk

Love is your natural state. Compassion, for ourselves and others, is core to the human experience. When we live from the heart we can’t go wrong. Cultivating love and self-compassion is especially important for expats as the experience can often feel out of control. 

The Roots

I have a deeply rooted belief in people and their inherent abilities. I know you have everything you need to get where you want to go through all life throws your way. I believe your roots are strong and that you can face challenges with conviction and resilience.

The Branches

You have the freedom to create your life story. That freedom comes from stepping consciously on to the path ahead. I am completely confident that you know exactly what is right for you. With support you can stretch to new heights and live knowing you have the skills to handle the growth that lies before you.

My Approach

I help people find a sense of home, no matter where life takes them.

I bring optimism and compassion into a space in which we are working together. I believe in you – you are whole, capable, experienced and brilliant. Through a lens of love and curiosity, I invite you to step into a space where you can use those traits to get where you want to be.

I whole-heartedly believe that the answer to what home means to each of us is already within us. I will help you learn to mindfully turn toward what you’re experiencing so that you can see more clearly the path beneath your feet. I will help you learn to recognize and accept what’s working well. And, I’ll support you in honestly and gently refocusing towards your inner sense of home when you find what you’re currently doing has stopped serving you well. 

My approach is open, authentic, enthusiastic, nurturing and collaborative.  

Don't Wait Any Longer. Start Growing Your Roots Today!