“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”
— Audre Lorde
a renegade therapist, social worker and activist
I'm wildly passionate about helping people unhinge from their past, their pain and their trauma along with the limiting stories they tell themselves as a result of these experiences.
I am a hip hop romantic, forever New Yorker, extreme visionary & psychedelic enthusiast. I spend most of my days fueled with coffee, working with clients and in creation mode all while juggling life as a single mom with a teenage son, a rambunctious (but very lovable) black lab and a small hobby farm in the mountains of Asheville, NC.
My world is woven together by a series of spiritual practices and mindsets (as well as inappropriate jokes and memes) that keep my anarchist heart grounded in a lifestyle that fosters radical self-love and an unwavering commitment to being in service to others.
your life and relationships may have begun to look and feel complicated, overwhelming and perhaps even hopeless at times.
You are often distracted daily by negative thoughts, insecurities, and maybe even relentless drama. This is often paired with an overarching desire of desperately wanting more for yourself—for your future and for your sanity...
Thanks to pop culture and the trending normalization around mental health, you’re pretty sure that the trauma you’ve undergone in your past is likely shaping the current challenges of your day to day reality. At this stage, you’ve grown so exhausted watching these insidious negative feelings, beliefs and what feel like uncontrollable dysfunctional patterns manifest into all aspects of your life.
ANXIETY
A LACK OF CONFIDENCE
CHRONIC STRESS
STRAINED RELATIONSHIPS
GUILT
SHAME
DEPRESSION
SELF-SABOTAGE
intrusive and/or obsessive thoughts
lack of clarity
or a combination of them all
Healing Starts
With Connection
exercise • exotic retreats • Specialized Diets • traditional therapy • Medication • one too many happy hours • throwing your whole self into your work (or bed)
and yet you're still not out of the woods… worst of all, you regularly crave the experience of wanting to feel healed and whole, but it has felt so inaccessible for so long.
Searching for a practitioner with whom you feel safe to explore the inner parts of yourself with can oftentimes feel scary and even daunting, especially if you’ve been turned off by therapy or coaching before in the past. Trust me, I get it...
When working with me, I am committed to creating a highly motivating, collaborative roadmap to a destination beyond your wildest dreams of recovery and self-actualization.
I emphasize a relational as well as psychodynamic model where I combine evidence-based interventions with positive neuroplastic therapy to work towards restoration and integration of both the mind and body.
Betsy Cheslik, Hair Stylist
Instead of focusing on my relationship, she told me that this is for me. My relationship with self. It wasn’t easy, but I leaned so hard into being “selfish “ (what I thought at the time) that I became a higher version of self and ultimately, when my toxic relationship did end, it ended gracefully and organically, and I was safe and excited for what was to come next. I’m so thankful Star popped into my world when she did. Best gift anyone could ever get themselves.
Danielle, Mother of a 4 year old
The approach has opened my eyes to a whole new way of parenting. It is especially helpful and ensuring to know Star is there every step of the way, and even on call through the transitions and transformation of the household. She is especially thorough and creative throughout the workshop.
Josie, mother/foster parent of a 7 year old and a 1 year old.
NHA has given me the ability to take a step back, regather my thoughts as a parent, and build a positive reinforcement based parenting style. Star's ability to be vulnerable with her class and include her own trials, tribulations, and triumphs in her personal parenting life made the class more realistic and personable! I would highly recommend NHA to anyone and I would especially recommend the class taught by Star.
Deb Patterson, Accountant
and heading into tax season which requires 7 days a week of long and exhausting hours. I couldn’t imagine how I was going to get through it; every year seemed to get harder and harder. I saw a newspaper article on Star Bond who sounded like she had an unconventional style of engagement and motivation and decided to give her a call. Over the next 10 or so months of coaching, Star guided my thought processes and habits from rerunning negative and unproductive thought processing to looking forward to and expecting the coming opportunities brought about by adversity. She taught me the purpose of life and has turned pain into challenge and reward. Thank you Star for the new and productive me.
Tobin, Father of a 5yr old and 8yr old
in our son's behavior and we're so grateful. Plus, the approach, by its very nature, has us connecting with our children in everyday moments like we hadn't before. That's been healing for everyone. Learning from Star has been lovely. She's a no-nonsense mom who's been through the trenches herself, turned things around with this approach, and is soo passionate about bringing it to other parents. I recommend Star Rose Bond and The Nurtured Heart Approach, wholeheartedly.
Rene Wiley, parent of a 10 year old
Classes are lively and fun. This is the most respectful and direct parenting approach I've found. I checked in with my daughter during our first week of trying NHA and was surprised when she lit up with: "For the first time ever, I feel seen and heard for all the good things that I do!" I appreciate that we have a more authentic connection and the language to easily reset as needed. My whole family loves NHA.
Allison Howard, Cannabis Rep.
Her neuroscience based approach is refreshing, grounding, & cathartic. It’s very obvious there is a large amount of care & love Star puts into her work. Her level of honesty & support is unmatched! In the short time we worked together mountains moved for me. I now have the tools to self-regulate and help myself!!! From my perspective, Star is an alchemist of the human condition, and working with her was one of the best decisions I’ve made to date.
Sarah Hessinger, Artist and Educator
And, everything I was trying was not working. I reached out & Star quickly responded to my message. We were able to set up the 6 month coaching program the following month. Once we started, I Immediately felt safe sharing my past and what I was experiencing. Star wastes no time. She immediately started taking notes, studying my body language and getting to the root of the problem. Her experience, knowledge, drive, dedication to eliminating patterns that do not serve you and compassionate approach make for an empowering experience. Working with Star had a profound effect in so many areas of my life. I was given the tools, resources and knowledge to move forward and keep my inner compass pointed in the right direction. Exercises and practices during the six months program have evolved into consistent routines in my day to day life having lasting effects on my mental, physical and emotional health.
Anjeanette, Social Worker
She helped me navigate a very difficult situation with grace and insight. She helped me foster a deep awareness of the beauty, strength, and wisdom that is woven into the fabric of my being, and of every woman. With Star as my facilitator, I danced to the moon. I built an altar. I lay in a circle with my sisters and went on vision quests. I exercised demons. Strove toward and found acceptance. Working with Star helped me find peace at a time when I felt the most destructive sort of pain. She continues to help me now by recommending spiritual and yogic practices, as well as herbal remedies for both me and my fiancé. My fiancé has suffered from acne for decades; after using Star’s herbal prescription of tinctures, he has clear skin for the first time in his life. Star is an old-world-style healer. I would recommend her services to anyone who wants more than a quick-fix, who wants, instead, to change her perspective entirely, and to change her life.
Jennifer L. Giordano, RN, BSN, IBCLC
and assisted new mother’s in their journey of new motherhood. She is able to capture the inner beauty of women and help them see their beauty. It is easy to trust her because her love for humanity is palpable. It was a pleasure to observe her work and grow from working with her.
Anna Tsontakis- Mally, Artist
Being more of a senior citizen I don’t think I would have been open to the workshop prior to meeting Star. I found her to be so open, authentic, enthusiastic, and passionate about her work, which was contagious, that I felt compelled to give it a try. I looked forward to the evenings of the workshop finding Star well prepared, ready to give of herself, inclusive and informative. Being a retired teacher, I found Star to possess a natural ability to connect with others , also leading each of us to connect with each other. As a workshop leader I feel she has a great amount of skill, warmth, compassion, and wisdom. So young and so alive.
Ian Livingston, QMHP
but also to see the effect her expansive knowledge, personal charisma, and dynamic presentation style has upon the participants of those groups over time, in interviews and individual counseling sessions. People who come into one of Star’s groups cynical and dismissive of the subject matter leave inspired to apply her practical solutions in their lives. The effect is transformational. People who once imagined themselves flawed beyond repair develop skills for building insight and the kind of engagement with others that helps support and develop the self-esteem necessary to sustaining resilience in a traumatic world. I learn something new every time I work with her.”
Stacey F. MD, Physician
Her ability to give each person the safety and support they need for personal growth and insight is remarkable. She helps nourish a sense of community and connectedness which is so rare these days. I personally gained so much from her workshops and look forward to learning with her again.
Syama Masla, Yoga teacher, Ayurvedic massage therapist & Ayurvedic Che
She shares from a place of truth and gives many personal experiences. I trust her guidance and her love for Women’s empowerment.
Greg Michna, Computer Engineer
She quickly saw who I was and what I needed to break free of my Fearful, Mundane, Self medicating life. With
Passion, Support, Knowledge, and Love in her heart, she changed my life forever. If you’re willing to do the work, she will show you the way to a more amazing, fulfilling life. I cannot recommend her enough!
Gianna Garrett, Mom
You give women of all walks of life, feelings of empowerment! That we can change or be the amazing woman/person that we are meant to be, no matter what we’ve been through or have done in our past. You give us faith and drive to get beyond the nightmares of our past reality and make today a safe, happy and healthy life for ourselves. By far the best teacher of individual growth and recovery I’ve had the pleasure of learning from! Thank u for your personal determination to help others, because it’ll never be the same because now we know too much!
Jon Demeritt, Business Owner
Having been into self improvement for many years, this was By Far the most I’ve learned about myself, my journey and spirituality in such a short period of time. I continue to use the practices Star taught me on a daily basis and have noticed a profound change in person I am now and my outlook on life. Best decision I ever made…nothing short of life altering.
Kristin Esposito, Writer, Yoga Instructor
you simply feel as if you’re being carried through your practice. Her classes are a thoughtful combination of dance-like flow and insightful wisdom. It’s such a treat taking her class that I didn’t want it to end.
Sharyn Glowatz, Technology Recruiter/Animal Rescuer
Her groups are well organized and she creates a safe and intimate space where the women in the group can bond with each other and share deep feelings. She introduced me to many new concepts that have been life changing. She is fully present as a leader and just a very warm, smart lady! I look forward to working with her again.
Lexi Bella, Visual Artist, Blogger, Yoga Instructor
Her combination of compassion and deep strength help her to lead the deepest journey of a weeklong workshop to a simple yoga practice. It is life changing to work with her!