Dawn D. Zitney
M.Ed., NBC-HWC, RYT
I'd be honored to offer my knowledge and support as you actively move towards a greater sense of vibrancy and well-being.
My passion for health and wellness began more than two decades ago while working in college health. As a trained educator, counselor, and board-certified health and wellness coach, I developed one of the first collegiate wellness coaching programs in the country. I aim to help people move towards the discovery of their version of optimal wellness and happiness. I do this through a public health framework that understands how people and communities need access to opportunities to engage in self-inquiry, knowledge attainment, skill development, and community care to be healthy and well. Additionally, ​​I am a skilled teacher of yoga and mindfulness meditation.
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In addition to my work at Begin Again Wellness, I work at the University of New Hampshire's Health & Wellness center as a Well-Being Educator/Counselor. And, I am an adjunct faculty member in the College of Health & Human Services where I designed and teach academic courses on well-being and yoga/mindfulness meditation.
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EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master's Degree, Education & Counseling
National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach
Yoga Teacher (RYT 500), Vinyasa, Restorative, Yin
Peace & Conflict Studies, School for International Training
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YOGA TRAINING
Yoga styles taught include vinyasa, yin, and restorative. I have trained with renowned yoga instructors, Jason Crandell, Bernie Clark, and Jillian Pransky. My personal meditation practice that I bring to my offerings is informed by Buddhist psychology and the teachings of Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Pema Chödrön.
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AWARDS
American Civil Liberties Union - New Hampshire (ACLU-NH)
Reproductive Justice Award for my work providing comprehensive sex education and increasing sexual health care access for young adults in New Hampshire.
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University of New Hampshire, Presidential Awards
Commission on the Status of Women and Commission on the Status of the LGBT Community for my work providing access to well-being to the campus community through policy change and educational programming.
My Story, My Approach.
Wellness isn't a commodity you can buy; everything you need is already within you. What you might have been missing is a compassionate partner to help you understand and trust yourself as you navigate life's challenges and triumphs. I'll be there, metaphorically sitting beside you and holding space, as you embark on a journey of returning to yourself.
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Why and How to Begin Again
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​The concept of beginning again landed in my body, in a way that I finally understood, during my meditation practice. In meditation, your mind will wander; it’s a matter of when, not if. When you notice the wandering mind, it's an opportunity to bring your awareness back an anchor of the present moment (e.g., body sensations, breathing, sounds). You give yourself permission to begin again, remembering that is the practice.
Permission to begin again was a powerful moment of insight for me. My body relaxed as I realized it was okay to falter, to try something new, to try again. Life, like my meditation, isn't about perfection; it's a process of being curious with the totality of experience — surrendering, trusting, letting go, and trying again. Inherent in this process is the cultivation of curiosity, awareness, and compassion: both for the times I've begun again and felt proud, and for the moments I was afraid to try something new.
The insight to beginning again alongside research, science, and philosophical frameworks ground my work in the wellness field. Specifically, I draw on the following:
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Public health framework
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Well-being framework
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Wellness coaching framework
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Behavioral science
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Positive psychology
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Buddhist psychology
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Self-determination theory
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Liberation theory
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Feminist theory, relational cultural theory
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An explicit understanding of how systems and culture impact access to well-being
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Call to Action: Well-Being & Liberation ​​
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Remember you are the expert in your own life
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Trust your wisdom and intuition
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Listen to your body when it sends signals of what it needs to be well
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Utilize your strengths
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Be curious
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See more clearly what you value
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Take ownership of your well-being, knowing you deserve to live a life of meaning, purpose, and well-being
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Embark on a process of growing
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Be patient, small steps matter
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Make space for the messiness of growth and change
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When you feel overwhelmed, go back to safety until you're ready to try again
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Recognize that challenges are an opportunity to regroup and decide how to move forward
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Celebrate, feel, and honor your successes
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Seek out communities of care that support your growth
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Utilize systems to support your growth
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I look forward to embarking on this process together.
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May you be safe.
May you experience liberation.
May you be held in collective care.
May you live with vibrancy and ease.
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These are intentions of loving kindness that I hold for myself and extend warmly to you.
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—Dawn
"Working with Dawn has been a pleasure. I feel heard, respected, and supported to continue my growth. I feel validated for my experience while also being encouraged to push myself in a positive direction."
— Wellness Coaching Client
Wellness Coaching Honors the Totality of Your Well-Being.
I use a well-being framework I co-developed at the University of New Hampshire. A well-being framework understands that context, communities, policies/laws, identities, and values play a significant role in our ability to experience well-being. This framework informs all of my services from wellness coaching to yoga.
Wellness is the ways in which you care for yourself via the eight dimensions:
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Well-Being Framework
Honoring the Totality of Your Well-Being.
I use a well-being framework I co-developed at the University of New Hampshire. A well-being framework understands that context, communities, policies/laws, identities, and values play a significant role in our ability to experience well-being. This framework informs all of my work.
Wellness is the ways in which you care for yourself via the nine dimensions of wellness: ​
Creating
Lasting Change is Possible.
Some common reasons you may benefit from a well-being frame-work:
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Support your health and wellness with lasting behavior change.​
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Increase self-awareness.
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Increase decision making confidence and motivation.
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Cope with a chronic illness.
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Build effective coping skills to face life's stressors.
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Move through transitions with ease.
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Enhance your emotional wellness.
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Build meaningful social connections.
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Communicate assertively and set boundaries.
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Effectively understand and use systems to help you be well.
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Enhance sexual well-being.*
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* I specialize in inclusive and comprehensive sex education and sexual well-being, helping clients boost their sexual wellness to experience pleasure and connection. I do not treat sexual trauma but do utilize a trauma informed approach.
Wellness Coaching Isn't Therapy.
My goal is to create a therapeutic alliance so you can build your confidence, move closer to your authenticity, and make lasting change.
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​As a board-certified wellness coach I...
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recognize that you are the expert in your life;
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don't treat or diagnosed mental illnesses (e.g., anxiety, depression);
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use a forward thinking process;
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guide you in focusing on your strengths and values;
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ground my approach in science, not quick fixes or trends;
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support you in holding space for the totality of your wellness;
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understand that the communities where we live, work, and play impact our well-being;
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incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion;
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practice cultural humility and work from a social justice framework;
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can collaborate with your other health care providers.
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​If during our work together I believe you would be better supported in therapy, I will let you know and offer appropriate referrals.
“I am the only one who can tell the story of my life and say what it means.”
— Dorothy Allison, Author