I have an extensive background, and an enormous passion, in the transitions of birth and death. Below, you can learn a little (or a lot) more about who I am.
Hi! My name is Kelli Lyles and I'm glad you've found your way to my website. Let me tell you a little more about myself and how I found my way to the work I do today.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Upper Iowa University and a Master of Arts in Gerontology with two core concentrations in Aging and the Family and Geriatric Care Management from Nova Southeastern University.
I am a Certified Counselor with Washington State. I have certifications in Yin Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation and am also a certified Death Midwife, certified ARCH healer, and ordained officiant. My past work history includes practicing as a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator for 20 years and running training workshops for both Birth Doulas and Childbirth Educators as a certified trainer with ICEA, as well as many years of working in the accounting field in my life before children (I still love doing my taxes ;) ).
My education and training would mean nothing if it was not backed up with passion in my chosen fields.
Birth and death are the two things we will all experience. My particular passions for both were ignited by life events which led me down new paths several times over. Having children changed the entire trajectory of my life and immersed me in the world of childbirth and ignited my passion for supporting expecting and new parents through their own unique journeys. Experiencing a postpartum mood disorder rocked my world, but also inspired an incredibly healing journey in my life. Assisting my parents through the end of their lives, and ultimately their deaths, once again, altered my life path. My passion for talking openly about death and grief was born. As humans, we all are united in the reality that at some point in our lives, we will lose people (and pets, identities, places, etc) that we love. We say goodbye more than we realize. And eventually, we will all face our own death. Although death and grief are difficult topics, they are also incredibly powerful and can sometimes even provide healing of past wounds. I consider it a sacred privilege to accompany others through these deeply human experiences—birth, death, and everything in between. My goal is to create spaces where life’s transitions can be met with openness, care, compassion… and maybe even a little laughter. I truly believe that humor, at the right moment, can make even the heaviest loads a little lighter.
I am passionate about my work, but also am passionate about balance in my life and my belief in spending quality time with my family which includes my husband, our three adult sons and our three cats. I enjoy spending some quiet time in meditation each day, practicing yoga, and hula hooping :). I delight in a good cup of coffee, especially when it's shared with friends. My happiest of places is anywhere along the Pacific Ocean (preferably Oregon and Washington coast). I am a lifetime Seattle Mariners fan, which may have actually given me my earliest lessons in grief, but also provides me with my passion for always believing the best is yet to come. :)
I am an open book and am happy to answer any questions you may have about my personal or professional life. I love meeting new people, hearing life stories, and am honored every single time someone invites me into their life during transitional periods, when every human being deserves extra loving support.