Meet Deborah Feathers | 7x Credentialed Trauma Recovery Coach and Marriage and Family Therapy Intern

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Feathers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My trauma recovery coaching business, The Resilience Network, exists to make a meaningful social impact by helping individuals heal from trauma and, in turn, creating a ripple effect of healing that touches families, communities, and future generations. Our mission is rooted in the belief that healing isn’t just personal–it’s collective. When one person learns to regulate their nervous system, process their emotions, and reclaim their identity, it positively impacts everyone around them.

Through our trauma recovery coaching, we support clients in rebuilding their lives with self-awareness, compassion, and confidence. As they heal, they begin showing up differently–in their relationships, parenting, workplaces, and communities. They model healthy boundaries, emotional resilience, and empathy. These are skills that don’t just change individual lives–they change the emotional fabric of communities.

To expand our impact, we will soon be offering **free and low-cost resources**, including psychoeducation materials, guided practices, and group coaching opportunities. These tools are designed to make trauma healing more accessible to those who may not be able to afford traditional therapy or coaching. We’re especially focused on serving underserved and marginalized populations, where trauma is often generational and support systems can be scarce.

By helping individuals heal from the inside out, we’re also helping to break long-standing cycles of harm and disconnection. The Resilience Network is more than a business–it’s a movement toward a more emotionally intelligent, connected, and compassionate world. We believe that when people are given the right tools and support, they don’t just survive–they thrive. And when they thrive, entire communities grow stronger.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’d love to share more, because this work is deeply personal to me.

My business, The Resilience Network, was born not out of ambition, but out of survival–and eventually, transformation. It’s a trauma recovery coaching practice that serves individuals seeking to heal their nervous systems, reclaim their identities, and grow beyond their pain. What sets us apart is that everything we do is rooted in lived experience and backed by the science of neuroplasticity: the brain’s incredible ability to rewire itself after trauma.

Our logo, a phoenix made of neurons–isn’t just symbolic. It captures the heart of our mission: to rise from the ashes of trauma through healing, learning, and growth. The neurons represent not only the brain’s adaptability, but also the hope that transformation is always possible, no matter how deep the pain.

We use a signature, trauma-informed method I created called T.H.R.I.V.E.–a holistic, six-part framework that guides clients through trauma awareness, safety building, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, identity integration, and post-traumatic growth. It’s a work in progress, with a trademark pending, and one day I hope to expand it into a research-backed program that becomes part of the larger conversation on healing trauma.

But getting here wasn’t easy. The business didn’t start with a clear roadmap–it started with me recovering from a catastrophic trauma of my own. After a surgeon’s mistake left me in the hospital and fighting for my life, I was later SA’d during my vulnerable recovery period. That led to a spiral of PTSD, deep depression, and an eventual suicide attempt.

I didn’t build this business from a place of strength–I built it from rock bottom. And I bring that honesty into every session with my clients. I know what it’s like to feel broken, to lose your sense of identity, to want to give up. But I also know that healing is possible, and that trauma does not get the final word.

I got here by doing the work–every single day. Therapy, coaching, somatic practices, spiritual exploration, research, and radical self-compassion. I used the same tools I now offer my clients. And through that, I turned my pain into purpose.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that healing isn’t linear, and neither is building a business rooted in purpose. There are highs and lows, moments of doubt, and moments of profound clarity. But when your work aligns with your soul, you keep going–even when it’s hard.

What I want the world to know about The Resilience Network is that it’s not just a coaching practice. It’s a movement. A safe space. A growing community of people who are ready to rise from what tried to destroy them. We’re here to remind people that healing is not just about surviving–it’s about *thriving*. About rewriting your story on your own terms.

And what I want people to know about me is simple: I’ve lived it. I’m still living it. And I’m walking alongside you, every step of the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: Arrival & South Beach Vibes
Morning:

Breakfast at Maman — rustic-chic café with Parisian charm and fresh pastries.

Stroll down Ocean Drive, soaking in the pastel Art Deco buildings, ocean breezes, and people-watching.

Afternoon:

Relax on South Beach and take a dip in the turquoise water.

Explore Lincoln Road Mall for boutique shopping, cafés, and street performers.

Evening:

Dinner at Pubbelly — inventive Asian-fusion small plates perfect for sharing.

End the night at Mango’s Tropical Café, with salsa shows and tropical cocktails.

Day 2: Art & Culture
Morning:

Breakfast at Little Hen — a whimsical spot with colorful brunch plates.

Visit Wynwood Walls to admire vibrant street murals and pop into local galleries.

Afternoon:

Lunch at Amici’s Trattoria, serving comforting Italian classics.

Continue exploring Wynwood’s quirky shops, breweries, and art spaces.

Evening:

Dinner at North Italia, where handmade pasta and wood-fired pizza shine.

Drinks at Terras, a lively rooftop bar with skyline views.

Day 3: Nature & Bayside Fun
Morning:

Breakfast at B Bistro + Bakery — artisan pastries, decadent toasts, and specialty coffee.

Head to Bayside Marketplace for a boat tour around Biscayne Bay, passing Millionaire’s Row and Star Island.

Afternoon:

Lunch at A Mari Mix — fresh seafood and Mediterranean flavors.

Visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a European-inspired estate with lush gardens.

Evening:

Dinner at Sapore Di Mar — refined Italian seafood dishes in an intimate setting.

Wind down with live jazz at Le Chat Noir, an underground wine lounge.

Day 4: Beach Day & Nightlife
Morning:

Breakfast at Rosetta Bakery, known for buttery pastries and rich coffee.

Spend the morning at Sunny Isles Beach or Haulover Park for sunbathing and swimming.

Afternoon:

Grab smoothies or fresh fruit bowls from local beach vendors.

Optional: Spa afternoon at a beachfront resort.

Evening:

Dinner at Mint Beirut — modern Lebanese cuisine with bold flavors.

Night out at LIV or E11EVEN for dancing and DJ sets.

Day 5: Little Havana & Culture
Morning:

Cuban coffee and pastelitos from a local café before walking Calle Ocho’s cigar shops, domino parks, and street art.

Afternoon:

Lunch at Layali, offering Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.

Stop by The Ball & Chain for live salsa music in a historic venue.

Evening:

Dinner at CVI.CHE 105, known for its acclaimed Peruvian ceviche and seafood.

Drinks at The Broken Shaker, an award-winning garden cocktail bar.

Day 6: Adventure & Key West Day Trip
Morning:

Early breakfast at Two Friends in Key West — a classic open-air spot with hearty plates.

Stroll Duval Street, shop, and enjoy the island atmosphere.

Afternoon:

Lunch at The Big Chill, with fresh seafood and waterfront views.

Spend the afternoon on a snorkeling trip or simply relaxing by the water.

Evening:

Dinner at Duffy’s, a laid-back spot with a breeze off the water.

Return to Miami and relax after the drive.

Day 7: Chill & Wrap Up
Morning:

Breakfast at Panther Coffee, serving some of Miami’s best locally roasted brews.

Bike or walk the Miami Beach Boardwalk.

Afternoon:

Lunch at Joe’s Take Away, a casual offshoot of the iconic stone crab spot.

Last-minute shopping at Bal Harbour Shops or Brickell City Centre.

Evening:

Sunset cocktails at Juvia with panoramic city and ocean views.

Farewell dinner at Stubborn Seed, one of Miami’s top fine-dining experiences.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely– there’s no question that my greatest shoutout goes to my mom. Her unwavering love, strength, and support have been the backbone of my healing and my journey toward becoming who I am today.

She stood by me during the darkest chapters of my life, including moments when I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. She advocated for me when I couldn’t advocate for myself. She held space for my pain without trying to fix it, and she reminded me, again and again, that I was worth fighting for–even when I doubted it myself.

But beyond her support, it’s her example that shaped me most. My mom is a woman of quiet resilience, deep empathy, and fierce loyalty. Watching her navigate her own life with grace and grit taught me what it means to persevere. She has been my anchor and my mirror–showing me the power of unconditional love and the courage it takes to keep showing up.

The work I do through the Resilience Network is infused with so much of what she taught me: to meet people with compassion, to listen with intention, and to believe in the possibility of healing even when it’s messy and nonlinear.

So much of my strength is borrowed from her. This journey–this mission–would not exist without her. So thank you, Mom. You are, and always will be, my greatest teacher.

Website: deborahfeathers.my.canva.site

Instagram: @deborah_feathers

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahfeathers/

Image Credits
Leo Rojas