About Me
Greetings! I'm Melinda Rothouse, a professional writing, creativity, and communications coach and consultant based in Austin, Texas. I work with people to bring their writing and creative projects to fruition. I am also the Co-Founder of Syncreate, which offers creativity coaching, consulting, workshops, and retreats designed to enhance creativity in life and work, and to foster communication, collaboration, and community. I am also the author of A Mindful Approach to Team Creativity and Collaboration: Creating a Culture of Innovation, published in 2020 by Palgrave Macmillan, and the co-author of the award-winning Syncreate: A Guide to Navigating the Creative Process for Individuals, Teams, and Communities, (winner of a Silver Nautilus Award for Creativity and Innovation) published in 2021 from Mandorla Books.
Coaching is my calling. I've discovered in the coaching paradigm a way to evoke profound transformation that surpasses anything I've encountered in academia, counseling, or any healing modality, and yet it complements all of these other modes of learning and growth. For me, coaching involves a holistic and a spiritual dimension that focuses on the whole person to foster resilience, connection, creativity, authenticity, and empowerment.
My approach to coaching draws on the principles of positive and humanistic psychology, as well as 20 years of experience and training as an educator, musician, and performer. I draw upon broad-based expertise in writing, public speaking, and the expressive arts, as well as extensive experience withteaching/training, curriculum development, content strategy, consciousness and spirituality studies, and life coaching. I enjoy working in close collaboration with clients to enhance their creativity and develop their confidence. My major strengths include a deep intuition and ability to hold space for clients, a talent for nurturing creative energy, and insight into both the visionary aspects and the details of a given project.
My own writing and creative practices are informed by a lifelong love of learning, by an emphasis on journey and process, and by my involvement and training in Buddhist meditation practice and the contemplative arts. I bring a commitment to mindfulness, deep listening, and engaged collaboration to my coaching work. I am also a musician (classically trained singer, songwriter, and bass player) and I do offer vocal coaching in conjunction with my other coaching services.
I did my undergraduate work at Vassar College, focusing on cognitive science and music, and graduated with a B.A. in Biopsychology. I also have a Master's degree in Religious Studies from Indiana University, and a Master's degree in Performance Studies from New York University's Tisch School for the Arts. I recently completed my Ph.D. in Psychology with a Specialization in Creativity Studies at Saybrook University.
I've taught college-level courses in academic writing, composition, and creative non-fiction at Tulane University in New Orleans, and have worked in academic writing centers at Tulane, Texas State University, and St. Edward’s University. From 2009-2013, I taught religious studies courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities at Austin Community College.
I am also the Co-founder of Syncreate, a collaborative venture with my colleague and friend, Charlotte Gullick, novelist and Chair of the Creative Writing program at Austin Community College. Together we offer creativity coaching and consulting services, workshops, and retreats on the art and science of creativity.
In 2013 I completed the Co-Active Coach Training Program with the Coaches Training Institute, which has been a profound experience for me both personally and professionally, and I am certified as a coach with the International Coach Federation.
Coaching is my calling. I've discovered in the coaching paradigm a way to evoke profound transformation that surpasses anything I've encountered in academia, counseling, or any healing modality, and yet it complements all of these other modes of learning and growth. For me, coaching involves a holistic and a spiritual dimension that focuses on the whole person to foster resilience, connection, creativity, authenticity, and empowerment.
My approach to coaching draws on the principles of positive and humanistic psychology, as well as 20 years of experience and training as an educator, musician, and performer. I draw upon broad-based expertise in writing, public speaking, and the expressive arts, as well as extensive experience withteaching/training, curriculum development, content strategy, consciousness and spirituality studies, and life coaching. I enjoy working in close collaboration with clients to enhance their creativity and develop their confidence. My major strengths include a deep intuition and ability to hold space for clients, a talent for nurturing creative energy, and insight into both the visionary aspects and the details of a given project.
My own writing and creative practices are informed by a lifelong love of learning, by an emphasis on journey and process, and by my involvement and training in Buddhist meditation practice and the contemplative arts. I bring a commitment to mindfulness, deep listening, and engaged collaboration to my coaching work. I am also a musician (classically trained singer, songwriter, and bass player) and I do offer vocal coaching in conjunction with my other coaching services.
I did my undergraduate work at Vassar College, focusing on cognitive science and music, and graduated with a B.A. in Biopsychology. I also have a Master's degree in Religious Studies from Indiana University, and a Master's degree in Performance Studies from New York University's Tisch School for the Arts. I recently completed my Ph.D. in Psychology with a Specialization in Creativity Studies at Saybrook University.
I've taught college-level courses in academic writing, composition, and creative non-fiction at Tulane University in New Orleans, and have worked in academic writing centers at Tulane, Texas State University, and St. Edward’s University. From 2009-2013, I taught religious studies courses as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities at Austin Community College.
I am also the Co-founder of Syncreate, a collaborative venture with my colleague and friend, Charlotte Gullick, novelist and Chair of the Creative Writing program at Austin Community College. Together we offer creativity coaching and consulting services, workshops, and retreats on the art and science of creativity.
In 2013 I completed the Co-Active Coach Training Program with the Coaches Training Institute, which has been a profound experience for me both personally and professionally, and I am certified as a coach with the International Coach Federation.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
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AUDIO & VIDEO
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I also keep a professional blog, along with my Syncreate business partner Charlotte Gullick at: http://syncreate.org/blog/ and a personal blog on religion, culture, and travel, which you can view at: http://acommunityofthespirit.blogspot.com/.
I am a member of the International Coach Federation; the Writer's League of Texas; the American Psychological Association Division 10 - The Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts; The Creative Education Foundation; and The Association for Contemplative Mind in Education.
I look forward to meeting you and learning about your creative dreams and aspirations!
I am a member of the International Coach Federation; the Writer's League of Texas; the American Psychological Association Division 10 - The Society for the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts; The Creative Education Foundation; and The Association for Contemplative Mind in Education.
I look forward to meeting you and learning about your creative dreams and aspirations!
