Meet Marcia
Marcia Grimsley, BA, MS, Professional Life Coach
For over 19 years, I have helped people from all walks of life achieve their personal, interpersonal, health, and career goals. With a unique background as a successful therapist, counselor, and business consultant, I help empower my clients to create the life they want to live.
My Education…
I hold a BA in Psychology from Temple University and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. I have taken post-graduate counseling courses and professional training in Life Coaching.
Therapeutic and Counseling Experience…
Early in my career, I worked for years as a staff supervisor and social worker for local and state agencies in Virginia and Texas. As a social worker and counselor, I provided services for people who were chronically ill, or faced physical challenges such as visual impairment. I collaborated with healthcare providers, facilitating support groups for clients and their families.
I then took a position for several years with a private counseling and therapy practice. Here I worked with private adult clients of various ages and backgrounds. When working with these individuals, my goal was to assist them in regaining a sense of hope, self-esteem, and power over their lives.
While living in Austin, I was honored to be appointed by the Governor of Texas to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Texas State School for the Blind. It was during this period that I met and married my husband, a chiropractor.
Business Experience…
In 1982 my husband and I launched a multi-doctor chiropractic clinic in Austin. For the next 8 years, I involved myself in a steady stream of business and practice-management seminars, while working part-time for the counseling center. Thus equipped, I began a small business as a consultant for small companies and private healthcare practices. I specialized in teaching customer service delivery and communication skills to managers and staff.
My Current Life Coaching Practice…
Today, my professional life coaching practice, Life Advancement Coaching is based in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I now coach a wide range of individuals across the US, including personal clients, clients referred from state agencies, and business owners, managers and their staff. It is my privilege to assist others in reaching their goals and living a richer, fuller, and higher quality lifestyle.
In Addition…
For several years, I taught skillful living classes at Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg. Currently, I am a member of The Integrative Medical Program for the Cancer Center at Mary Washington Healthcare. Also, I create and facilitate workshops and classes, in person and online, for groups and organizations. I am available for public speaking. For more information, please contact my office at 540.785.4104, or contact me by e-mail through this website.
Marcia’s Work With Visually-Impaired Adults
Over the years, Marcia has been privileged to work with clients in the field of Vision and Disabilities.
Marcia has had a visual impairment for most of her adult life. Throughout her life, she has learned to live successfully with these challenges. As a child, Marcia was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Like some children with JRA, her vision was affected at a very early age.
In graduate school, Marcia elected to include courses in the study of Physical Disabilities for Non-Medical Professionals at the Medical College of Virginia. Upon receiving her master’s degree in Counseling and Therapy, Marcia accepted a position, with what was then, The Virginia Commission for the Blind and Visually-Impaired. There she helped create and then supervised their State Intake Program. This allowed her to interface with other professionals within this Agency, such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, rehabilitation teachers, mobility specialists, and ophthalmologists.
Later, Marcia moved to Houston, Texas, and became employed as a social worker for the Lighthouse for the Blind. Her caseload included newly blinded adults of all ages and seniors facing difficulties brought on by age-related visual loss. Marcia also worked closely with their Vocational Rehabilitation Department, helping to facilitate job-readiness training for mutual clients. Over time, Marcia was promoted to supervisor of the agency’s Department of Social Services. While living in Texas, she continued her education with doctoral-level courses in counseling and therapy.
Today, Marcia lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she maintains a life coaching and counseling practice. Her company, Life Advancement Coaching, has served individual clients throughout the country for the past 19 years. In addition, Marcia brings business coaching to employers and managers throughout Virginia. She helps all her clients adopt skillful living tools for personal, interpersonal, career, and business success.
Within her coaching practice, Marcia also works as a life coaching consultant to the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually-Impaired. She currently partners with vocational rehabilitation counselors around the State, coaching and counseling their visually-impaired clients by phone or online. Examples of Her life coaching services include career and business coaching, improved communication and advocacy skills, self-confidence and self-esteem, and building a successful interpersonal support system.
These clients, along with their voc rehab counselors, determine their coaching goals and the duration of their coaching experience. Marcia feels honored and privileged to be of service to the visually-impaired population of Virginia!