Every day is filled with choices. Some are really easy. Some are made for us, whether we like it or not. And some are better faced with a little help. There are no magic answers and having someone on your side doesn’t always mean you’ll hear exactly what you want to hear. Sometimes it means dealing directly with the hard stuff. And when you are faced with hard choices, you may need support along with meaningful feedback. As your coach, advisor, and advocate, I will provide both.

End-of-life Decision-Making

As a nurse working in hospital emergency departments, I witnessed patients' and families' challenges in navigating the healthcare system. Making life and death decisions without having the knowledge and tools to do so is painful and frightening.

My work in end-of-life decision-making is not to elicit agreement with my own beliefs and values, although I am a strong advocate for having advance directives in place prior to needing them. I work directly with people to help educate, explain, and ensure they move forward with a clear path towards informed decision-making.

Help when you need it most

LIFE | HEALTH | GROWTH | CHANGE

For clinicians

We have all had patients and families struggling with difficult diagnoses, and we struggle along with them. I am available to meet with your patients to help them better understand their options. As an independent consultant, I bring a combination of knowledge and compassion that can facilitate better decision-making. I am grateful for your referrals.

For individuals

Families often struggle with identifying next steps for their loved ones, especially when they can't find common ground. My work may help them get on the same page, moving them toward a collective understanding that brings the focus back to the needs of the patient.

For communities

I am available for workshops and presentations for community groups. My workshops are interactive, moving attendees through the decision-making process from understanding the need for advance directives, to viewing the patient through eyes of a clinician, providing options and pathways to guide their own decisions.

Please contact me for additional information.

Photo credit: Flickr: Pedro Fernandes

"My husband was slowly dying. I didn't know what to expect – or what was within our control and what wasn't. Talking through options with Susan helped us look at where we were and where we wanted to be. She helped us figure out what questions to ask and how to get to a decision point."