ABOUT ME
Cambodia 2018
SYLVIA M. FERNANDEZ COLORADO
Like you, Inspirational Coach, public speaker, photographer and writer Sylvia Fernández-Colorado has seen the word transformation defined in numerous ways over. Is it positive thinking, being grateful or commitment to your plans? Good luck? Is it all about being born in the right family, spirituality? Am I meant to live this life or is it in me to change this story to make it my own?
With over two decades of teaching and learning about people and helping them through different avenues, and most importantly real-life experiences, her view of life has radically changed over the years. Sylvia appreciates, and shares with listeners, that life is a moment-to-moment choice and all about certainty and gratitude, about knowing what you want and allowing it into your experience! Everyone deserves to be happy and be their best version for themselves and for the rest of the world. “When you live your life being thankful and appreciating every breath, life is so much easier.”
Sylvia is well known for her positiveness, her ability to bring out the best in people and under any situation. She has dedicated her life to serving others always with a smile on her face and an ingrained feeling of unconditional love towards all that she learned from her mother. Be it volunteering at a Childcare Center for the Summer when she was around 9 years old or now as a Life Coach in her travels and in her home base now in Puerto Rico where she was born. She has served as a psychotherapist for families, couples, individuals for more than 20 years with her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. Having also offered her services to other groups such as psychiatric inpatients, college students in the USA and young men at detention centers in Puerto Rico, have led her in a path of eternal gratitude for every moment life offers her to enjoy, expand and grow. On the other hand, her Industrial-Organizational Psychology doctoral degree as well as her other several certifications in Human Sexuality, Addictions, Emotional Intelligence, Life and Work Coaching and Gentle Teaching have allowed her to offer efficient and effortless support to hundreds of people in her travels and in Puerto Rico in their journey through this “so called life”.
Cambodia 2018
Sylvia was easily motivated to change jobs when she felt she had given her best and needed to develop in other areas. Because of her strong commitment to serving others the closing interviews always played out with an open heart talk with her supervisor about how she felt things should or could get better for all, according to her perspective.
Every population she lived for at work has impacted her life in some way throughout the years. Deciding to be in one of the “helping professions” was an easy decision in the 9th grade when her mother asked what she wanted to do when she grew up “A social worker” she remembers saying, “I want to help others.” Then her mother offered other options in the realm of helping professions such as psychology and psychiatry. Mr. Murphy’s class in the 10th grade helped her decide for psychology and that’s when it all started…or so she thought! This beginning of her story as a “helper” / “healer” changed one day in her renewal for her driver’s license when a lady from her childhood remembered her how she was a “kind soul” since she was a little girl.
One day when she went to renew her driver’s license the lady at the photo booth asked some questions and then said with a big smile “Yes! I remember you; I used to work for your uncle!...” When Sylvia explained studied psychology the lady replied: “Yes, I can see you as a psychologist, helping everyone, you are a kind soul. You were always so attentive to everyone’s needs! You always asked me how I was and wanted to help out every way that you could.”
Sylvia has learned throughout life that every event, as unfortunate as it may seem is there for a reason, and that reason is always an opportunity for growth that we asked for and should accept with an open heart!
When she felt she could do more to help she took a second job and began preparing and offering continued education courses for the government of Puerto Rico and its employees around the island on topics such as: dealing with anger in a healthy way, enjoying life to overcome stress, dealing with stressful people, emotional intelligence, fears and phobias, assertiveness communications and many more.
After 9 years as a university professor in several positions she quit her job to be able to move on from a work harassment situation and from this situation came her first book on positive thoughts titled “365 Positive thoughts”
which you can find at www.amazon.com.
It was also during this time that one of the most rewarding and at the same time challenging jobs she ever had found her. As assistant to Dr. John J. McGee, monitor to the Federal Civil Case 99-1435 in Puerto Rico she was exposed to the most horrible realities in human kind the guidance of negligence. On the bright side these four years gave Sylvia one of a kind feelings of connectedness with others, a unity beyond description...a bond indescribable with words that she could achieve with her mentor Dr. Mc Gee and the Gentle Teaching philosophy of life he taught her. The two years as his assistant led her to two years full of light and love, learning and personal as well as professional growth that has forever changed her life. During this time she also learned and got certified in Emotional Intelligence (GENOS from Australia) and Life and Business Coaching (international Coaching Federation) and these three components United with her psychology background were uplifting her spirits and her life.
Many say the body is the temple of the soul, and it had been already more than 9 years since her first 10 day silence retreat (Spirit Rock, California) and the decision of leaving the life of “work-eat-tv” behind for more life loving moments full of people and joy.
Aligning my actions with my desires to make my dreams come true has proved to be a life changing experience that allows me to enjoy Life To The Fullest!
Doctor McGee had been in charge of watching over the civil rights of adults with disability in Puerto Rico by himself for over nine years in this lawsuit of the United States government against the government of Puerto Rico. She recalls these two years under his tutelage as the most fulfilling work experience so far. Here she learned that you can only decide for your life and how you live it, that one can only support others in their journeys if they are in your same path and that life IS ALL beautiful and one needs to stop and BREATH!
After two years as an assistant, Doctor McGee passed away suddenly and she was named monitor for the case. She had to deal with his parting in an unusual way, by moving forward to keep helping the Federal Court in the compliance with court agreements.
At this time she also realized she had surpassed her father’s dying age of 42 to be 43 years old and decided to become vegetarian to start living a healthier lifestyle according to her doctors. This change in diet became a change in lifestyle where she became more aware of her choices in life such as exercises that had a specific goal of taking care of the body, more for the body’s sake and wellbeing and not so much for societies standards.
After two years as a Court Monitor for the Federal Government and much disagreement on how the people were being treated she again talked to her supervisors and wrote a last report with alternatives and recommendations. It was then she decided to look for a new monitor to replace her so that she could again continue with her journey in life. This life’s journey took her to Vieques island where she hoped to find a loving community that lived at peace with nature... and she did!
In Vieques she lived what for now has been her most productive and ironically relaxing years ever! Here she finished the translation to her book on positive thought to English and also finished a collaborative effort between her and six other Gentle Teaching mentors from different countries. With this effort she wanted to honor Dr McGee as well as take this amazing philosophy of life for a culture of peace to many more countries showing how it can be adopted by anyone and can help everyone! This book “Gentle Teaching: A philosophy of life for a culture of peace”
is also available in www.amazon.com. Her third book which she also finished while in Vieques is in Spanish. This is a collaboration with her cousin Antonio Colorado Castillo who also holds a psychology license in Puerto Rico and it is titled “Quiero Amor”
or ‘I want love’. In this book they offer helpful information for people looking to make better connections in life, by first getting to know themselves better and then building healthy strong bonds with others.
In 2018 Sylvia travelled for almost 8 months straight visiting Germany, India, Thailand, Israel (3 months visiting around Spain (for Mind Valley trainings and El Camino de Santiago), Greece, Cyprus, Canada (for a Gentle Teaching Conference and presentation) and USA. In these travels she recalls learning to trust her intuition and the fact that “Everything Is Always Working Out For Her” as well as for everyone else.
In 2019 she did some traveling to Bali, Hong Kong, Chiang Mai and Cambodia. In her travels in 2018 people would ask her what was her plan and she would answer “only God knows!” In 2019 she would answer “My plan is to allow the plan to evolve to its best version!” to the same question!
Looking back Sylvia sees her life as a chain of blessings in disguise that have led her to a wonderfully colorful love for life!
I fell in love again with Life...
"Toda mi vida he estado promoviendo un estilo de vida pacífico de las formas en que se me ha hecho posible, mayormente a través del ejemplo. He teñido oportunidades de participar en foros profesionales y eclesiásticos a través del mundo en países tales como Japón, Holanda, Peru, Canada, USA, Dinamarca, Puerto Rico (mi país de Origen), y República Dominicana. He sido invitada a participar también en programas y foros radiales y televisivos, de internet y hasta escritos (periódicos y magazines).
Buscando la mejor forma de seguir mi pasión de inspirar a otros a vivir una vida feliz me he visto terminar dos doctorados, uno en psicología clínica y otro en psicología industrial/organizacional, he obtenido certificados en:
1. Prevención de Uso y Abuso de Sustancias Controladas y Alcohol
2. Sexualidad Humana
3. Inteligencia Emocional
4. Gentle Teaching
5. Coaching de Vida y Empresarial
Mi travesía de aspirar a inspirar comenzó “oficialmente” en un hospital psiquiátrico, práctica privada de psicóloga, cárceles de jóvenes menores de 18 años y luego fui profesora de estudios graduados 9 años en psicología clínica (ocupando otras 4 posiciones administrativas en la universidad) mientras lograba el segundo doctorado en psicología industrial - organizacional. Ofrecí talleres y seminarios de salud emocional a empleados gubernamentales y en empresas privadas. Fui invitada a ser parte de la organización Adiestrate.com por la cual ofrezco cursos en línea en español a personas alrededor del mundo a precios razonables para el público en general de temas como: auto estima, manejo del coraje, acertividad, balance en la vida, matrimonio saludables, y otros. Finalmente llegue a un empleo velando por los derechos civiles de adultos con discapacidad intelectual, donde aprendí de la filosofía de Gentle Teaching, que cambió mi vida significativamente.! En esos tiempos aprendí sobre el "Life Coaching" y me enamoré nuevamente de la Vida! Estuve practicando como Coach de Vida en mi tiempo libre y luego como empleo ofreciendo seminarios y reuniones individuales de Coaching a jóvenes estudiantes universitarios para una organización sin fines de lucro en Puerto Rico que impulsa los estudios graduados.
Para este tiempo ya había publicado mi primer libro y los otros tres (uno traducido al inglés) le siguieron en los próximos 5 años. Así fueron creciendo mis cuentas de redes sociales con personas de todas partes del mundo. Mi Facebook y canal de You Tube con “Upekkhapr Sylvia Fernandez” y mi Instagram por “Plan for a Miraclepr” con las cuales llega mi mensaje a sobre millones de personas alrededor del mundo pues están abiertas al público!
¡Quisiera terminar por agradecer tu colaboración en hacer de este un mejor mundo!
Un abrazo! Sylvia"
Sylvia Fernández
Experience
April 2016
REDES Project – Department of Family of Puerto Rico
Present Psychologist
Offer several services to the community among which are: talks, orientations and other relevant activities to lead the community with prevention strategies for a healthy lifestyle overall. Help in the development of work agreements with agencies in order to offer support to the community and work with the rest of the team in the creation of a monthly calendar according to REDES goals. New Paragraph
August 2013-June 2016
Kinesis Foundation
(Non-profit organization)
Consultant and College Coach
Offer several services as of development of job descriptions, organizational chart, revision of the Employees Manual, recruitment of new personnel, development and offering of trainings and other related duties. Offer College Coaching sessions and personal interviews to first year college students in Puerto Rico and elsewhere.
December 2012 - 2014
Joint Compliance Coordinator (Monitor for the Federal Court Civil Case 99-1435 US against the Government of Puerto Rico- Mental Retardation Program, now Intellectual Disability Program under the Department of Health of Puerto Rico)
Visit homes and facilities where services to these participants are provided and inform the Federal Courts’ Judge in charge of case of progress in court’s agreements through written Summary Reports, attend meetings and Court Hearings and offer training and supervision to the JCC assistant. Case 99-1435
October 2010 - November 2012
Joint Compliance Coordinator – assistant
Visit homes and facilities where the Mental Retardation Program of Puerto Rico offered their services to participants and inform the Federal Courts’ JCC of progress in court’s agreements. Present weekly and monthly reports to the Federal Court on compliance.
August 2010-Present
Adiestrate.com organization
Develop and offer continued education trainings to health professionals through internet as well as trainings of general interest to the public in topics such as Ethics in Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Gentle Teaching.
October 2010 - Present
Life Coach and writer
Provide life coaching individual sessions to help others deal with situations such as: changing jobs, becoming a better parent, having a healthier relationship with their partner, living more balanced healthier lives. Writing in magazines, books and poems to inspire others have a more balanced and happier life.
July 2010-July 2012
Part time in the Training and Development of Human Resources Oficina de Recursos Humanos del Estado Libre Asociado División de Educación Continua
Work in the development of instruments to identifying training and development needs, evaluating the effectiveness of the trainings provided and developing and offering trainings in the personal development areas needed. Themes of trainings include: Behavior Modification in the Classroom, Prevention of Depression and Suicide among children, Learning to deal with your emotions, Dealing effectively with fears and phobias, Recognizing and dealing with eating disorders, and Healthy rearing and discipline practices, among others.
January 2001 – October 2010
Full-time Associate Professor (traditional and distance learning) (2009-2010)
Internal Review Board President (2008-2009)
Assistant to the Psy.D. Program Director (2004-2008)
Internship Program Director (2001-2004) Carlos Albizu University, San Juan Campus
Each position required different responsibilities including: working in accreditations such as American Psychological Association and Middle States Association, providing academic counseling to 25 to 30 students, and at least two classes per semester (Group Therapy, Theories of Learning and Motivation, Ethics, and Behavior Modification), offering on-line courses, supervising dissertation work of about 8 to 15 students, working on Institutional Committees such as Library, Professional Development, Graduate Exams, and others. Ex-Alumni (Vice-President 2002-2005)
May 1998 – December 2000
Mental Health Unit Supervisor, Ramsay Youth Services, Bayamón Juvenile Detention Center, Bayamón, P.R.
Responsible for all Initial Psychological evaluations and mental health individual treatment plans and group therapy. In charge of crisis interventions, psychiatric referrals, case discussions, and psychological and psychometric assessments. Offer Mental Health Training to staff in areas such as: Behavior Modification, Stress Management, Depression, Development Stages and Token Economy.
August 1997 - May 1998
Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Bayamón, P.R.
Psychological treatment (individual to children, adolescents, adults and elderly patients) and Psychometric assessments.
August 1996 – August 1997
Student Counselor – Doctoral Internship, Florida State
University, Tallahassee, FL
Offer individual and group therapy. Responsible for crisis interventions, intake sessions, case and outreach preparations. Liaison to a University residence hall.
September 1995 – July 1996
Clinical Psychologist – Ramón Fernández Marina Psychiatric Hospital, San Juan, P.R.
In charge of offering short and long-term individual and group psychotherapy and crisis interventions to male acute ward-in-patients.
Licenses & Certifications
1994
Licensed in Puerto Rico as a Clinical Psychologist since – License # 1538
1998
Licensed in Puerto Rico as Counselor in Psychoactive Substances III - Lic. 138
2009
GENOS EI Certification
(Emotional Intelligence)
2010
Gentle Teaching Certification
2010
1st published book
“Logré el balance de mi vida con Upekkha: Pensamientos positivos para el diario vivir”
2011
Life Coach and Job Coach Certification (Coaching for Wellness)
2011
First published poems are part of “Máscaras del Ser”
poem book.
2015
2nd published book
“A philosophy of life for a culture of Quiero Amor: Gentle Teaching”
2015
3rd published book“Finding balance and meaning every day: 365 Positive thoughts” First published poems are part of “Máscaras del Ser”
poem book.
Education
1998
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with Distinction
Program Distinguished Student Award – Cum Laude
American Psychological Association – APA approved program Caribbean Center for Advanced Studies, P.R.
2013
Doctoral Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Interamerican University, Metropolitan Campus, P.R.