Mary Sikora-Petersen

Qualifications

Masters in Counselling
National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
Trained by Eating Freely as an Emotional and Binge Eating Practitioner
Tobacco Treatment Specialist

Biography

I live with my husband and pets in the vibrant New Orleans area after making a major cross-country move – a transition that deepened my own understanding of change, resilience, and starting afresh. We love the culture, food, music, and the way this city reminds you to stay present and alive.

I bring more than three decades of experience supporting people with chronic health conditions, including gastrointestinal challenges. Through both professional work and personal life, I’ve seen how health-related stress affects the mind, body, and spirit, and how powerful mindset shifts can be in restoring a sense of control and hope.

I help clients develop healthier thinking habits and practical coping tools that reduce the daily impact of food-related challenges and chronic-condition distress. Using thinking-based and body-based awareness strategies, I support you in calming stress patterns, improving sleep, regaining clarity, and making aligned choices, especially when emotions or urges feel overwhelming.

“I once allowed GI symptoms to dictate my mood. Learning to work with my thoughts and feelings changed everything, and now I want to help you do the same!”