Sid’s work in Effortless Internal Family Systems (EIFS) and as a mediator is a celebration of all that arises within us along with recognizing the peace, love and fulfillment inherent as our intrinsic nature. Sid’s approach is profoundly shaped by three primary influences: Dick Schwartz of Internal Family Systems, illuminating the inner harmony we are; Byron Katie of internal inquiries celebrating the love we are; and Marshall Rosenberg of Nonviolent Communication highlighting the peace we are.

Growing up in the Southern United States, where bold lines were often drawn by race and other surface labels, Sid found inspiration as a teenager to see the world differently. This sparked an adventure in heart-opening, celebrating, and clearer seeing that continues just as richly today as it did 40 years ago. Each Zoom workshop remains a delightful surprise, where you are both the inspiration and the celebration.

For those who find value in understanding the influences, history, and experiences that shape a facilitator, the details below may provide a helpful glimpse into whether Sid’s facilitation offers the resonance and safety you seek for inner exploration and celebration.

Chronologically:  Following law school, Sid travelled throughout the United States with Marshall Rosenberg, to augment his legal mediation education with Marshall’s profound heart-centered conflict resolution.  Subsequently, Sid established a Center for Compassionate Communication providing mediation and conflict resolution training which also included leading 100’s of workshops and general assemblies for schools, businesses, and churches.  His work was refined after witnessing Byron Katie conduct a mediation. Spontaneously pausing his life, he visited Katie in Barstow, CA asking her to teach him her way of facilitating peace.  She agreed.  He moved into her home to train, help host events and facilitate her process for visitors, significantly deepened his mediation abilities. In later years, Sid dove into the realm of Internal Family Systems, once again hitting pause to spend a year studying with its founder, Dick Schwartz. This experience developed his capacity to better appreciate and celebrate the more subtle inner expressions of our humanity and inner harmony.  Sid has the privilege of considering Marshall, Katie, and Dick as his friends and mentors, and his work strives to serve and extend their inspirational legacy. 

Mosaic Experiences: Sid’s life journey has included a mosaic of rich, earnest, and creative experiences.  Here are some highlight moments from his Professional Top 40 List that reverberate throughout his current expressions of EIFS:

• He worked in many trauma-themed environments helping facilitate peace, including supporting juvenile prisoners find compassion for those they despised. 
• His journey led him to spearhead conflict resolution training in schools across the United States, employing a loving giraffe puppet as a teaching aid.
• Sid had the privilege of attending a small gathering at the White House with the President celebrating bringing compassion into our workplaces.
• Arising from years of exploring healing through movement in Ecstatic Dance, Five Rhythms and Continuum, he developed the EIFS Parts Dance Party as a celebration and homecoming.  

• Sid artistically engaged in the field of therapy by providing improv therapy as an active member of the Boulder Playback Theater improv troupe.

• He traveled the planet studying with facilitators of Self-abidance, love, nonduality and the celebration of life from dozens of traditions and perspectives helping him find common themes and develop his work and facilitator skills.  
• He served as an advisor to intentional communities helping them better realize their visions of offering an experience of compassionate, inclusive, celebratory community. 
• He joined the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh on a reverent peace walk for fostering peace and mindfulness in the world.

• He immensely enjoyed serving as a game show host for a show he conceived, “Celebrating Your Magnificence.” He produced it for dozens of high school gatherings playfully facilitating students to enthusiastically, confidently and vulnerably showcase their gifts and uniqueness.   

• His sense of humor and playfulness extended to performing stand-up comedy at retreats, where he portrayed the voices of contemporary spiritual teachers.

It’s important to note that while Sid has delved deeply into various therapy, healing, and spiritual models, professionally he is a mediator and does not have a formal psychology background or psychology degree. 

Lastly, some of Sid’s other favorite influences and inspirations that echo throughout EIFS are Mr Rodgers, Joseph Campbell, Thich Nhat Hanh, Rupert Spira, and Rumi.  He looks forward to the next inspiration.  Might it be you?