Transformational Coaching

Navigating life challenges as a sensitive soul

Stephanie provides such an integrative experience: navigating the physical, real world yet staying aligned and tuned to the spirit. She has such solid, clear, and grounded methods to deal with life's challenges, stress, and how to exercise authentic power. She has all the characteristics of a reliable, effective life coach: honesty, passion, committed, and full of heart. I have enjoyed these few years and look forward to continue learning and growing with her.

— K T, two years with Stephanie

Finding my dream job and inner joy!

Stephanie’s unique approach of interweaving life and career coaching has been fundamental to me expanding my worldview and changing how I view my interactions and relationship with others. Over the months that I’ve worked with Stephanie, she has encouraged me to continue working through my challenges and to seek reasons why a particular situation bothered me, instead of simply quitting. What makes Stephanie unique is her understanding of trauma and how it affects communities. Thank you, Stephanie!

— A C, one year with Stephanie

Top of my class and finding my dream job!

I graduated magna cum laude and got my dream job due to Stephanie's mentorship. From helping me learn how to create engaging and inspiring essays on public policy, thoughtfully analyze policies and write concrete recommendations for government officials, as well as learning how to learn about what I offer employers, what I am passionate about and how to combine my skills and my passions for my dream job. I highly recommend Stephanie for career counseling, improving writing skills, life coaching and recovering your passion and zest for life!

Her background is immense working on global affairs. She helped me with UN internships, projects on juvenile detention policies, tobacco control, counter-trafficking and human rights, as well as trauma-informed practices for resiliency. I always feel so much better after speaking with her and her peacefulness has taught me so much about taking on life's challenges.

— Christine B., three years with Stephanie

Writing & College Counseling

From darkness to inspired

“With less than a week before the deadline, Stephanie was instrumental in helping our son write an incredible essay for his college application. Not only did he get in to the college of his dreams, the essay also helped him feel very strongly about his choices. Before meeting with Stephanie, he was really stuck and had no idea how to begin or what subject to write about. Stephanie helped him discover what sets him apart and to express something he truly believes in – and also gave him the inspiration to work hard at achieving his goal. We couldn’t thank her enough!”

— Anna-Pia, 8 sessions with Stephanie

Inspiring Educator and Mentor

“I learned more in one session on political science and governance with Stephanie than I did in a semester of course work with my professor at my Ivy League school. I definitely recommend her for international studies, global issues and writing assistance.”

— Willa, 1 session with Stephanie

Fabulous Coach!

“Stephanie is a great tutor and coach. She helped my daughter with UC essays and her personal statement. She has very creative ideas and is a pleasure to work with. My daughter loves working with her. Very pleased with her and would certainly recommend. AAA+” 

— Chris, 7 sessions with Stephanie

Great College Essay Tutor

“Stephanie has been an amazing help to my son with his college essays. She is a very patient, intelligent, and passionate tutor and has a calming presence that never fails to get him out of his panic mode when he gets "frozen" by all the work he has to do. She really knows the ins and outs of what schools are looking for in the college essay, is able to spark his thought process, and channel his writing into something way beyond just good structure and grammar. Would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for help with writing.”

— Rene, 30 sessions with Stephanie

Very Pleasant to Work With

“I would highly recommend Stephanie for anyone needing to improve their writing skills. She is very pleasant to work with, she would try to get to know you a little before (something not all tutors do from my experience, but something that helps her understand what you exactly need to get out of the lesson, and something that can help you feel more comfortable with the lesson). I needed help with reviewing my scholarship essay, I was a bit stuck and knew that my writing wasn't there yet. Stephanie helped me get there my asking questions and making me see what was missing or what needed to be improved in my essay. I was very pleased with the results.”

— Leana, 5 sessions with Stephanie

Excellent Tutor and College Counseling Coach

“Stephanie is a professional, knowledgeable, and patient tutor. She is passionate about helping her students. I originally had tutoring with her for my application, yet she also gave me advice on what I need for my future career, such as creating Linkdin account, getting internships, and elevator pitches: how to tell what I want to do in a short period of time. I highly recommend to have tutoring with Stephanie.”

— Takashi, 7 sessions with Stephanie

Solid writing and college counseling coach

“Stephanie clicked very well with my daughter and really helped her find her own unique voice so that she could tell better unique stories in her essays. Her background and broad experience seems to give her a worldly power in crafting good ideas. Very pleased with her and would certainly recommend.”

— Thalia, 8 sessions with Stephanie

Languages

Amazing Spanish teacher/tutor! 

“I contacted Stephanie to teach my son Spanish outside of school to help him skip into higher levels for high school. Her extensive professional international background is spectacular and she does an amazing job at keeping my son interested in learning and applying grammar to have basic conversations in Spanish. In a short amount of time, she has helped him acquire the tools he needs to intuitively understand basic conversations and use the vocabulary he has to communicate effectively. She has gone beyond my expectations for a tutor and highly recommend her for anyone looking for insightful instruction and support in Spanish.”

— Denise, 1.5 years with Stephanie 

Patient and Genuinely Cares

“Stephanie is a fabulous Spanish tutor! I used her to help my son with his Spanish 4 honors test. He is in over his head in this class and Stephanie tutored my son for several hours to reinforce as well as relearn conjugation and grammar. Not only is she very knowledgeable regarding the Spanish language she was also able to offer suggestions to alleviate stress and offered tips on communication with his professor. My son is yet to receive his test scores but Stephanie reached out to see how my son felt after completing his test. It is very apparent that Stephanie genuinely cares about the students she tutors and mentors.”

— Irene, 6 months with Stephanie

Wholeheartedly Recommended!

"Stephanie helped us out with tutoring for our son, who needed some help getting up to speed in Spanish. She was able to work with him to strengthen his foundation very quickly. She definitely got the results we were looking for and we would recommend her wholeheartedly."

— Carsten, 6 months with Stephanie 

Spanish for Kids

“Stephanie is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and hard-working. She worked hard to get both girls (ages nine and 11) engaged and actively learning. They're having a great time!”

— Carmen, 8 lessons with Stephanie

Excellent Spanish teacher

“If you are looking an excellent Spanish tutor, I would highly recommend Stephanie Hilborn. She excels at making classes relevant and fun while inspiring students to learn faster. She is extremely proficient at teaching Spanish, regardless of age or level of competency. She helped me build a foundation in preparation for our upcoming trip to Argentina. I feel confident navigating basic travel and conversation thanks to her! She also tutors history and writing, assisting with all kinds of assignments.”

— Kusum Wagle,  2 months with Stephanie (from Laurel Heights Nextdoor in Recommendations)

Wonderful, Flexible and Understanding Spanish Tutor!

“Stephanie is a wonderful Spanish tutor. Flexible and understanding of her student's needs and time, Stephanie tailors each session to be fun and efficient. In the short time I spent studying with her, I was able to hold an engaging conversation and read basic newspaper articles. I would highly recommend Stephanie to anyone looking to start or continue improving their language skills.”

— Isabel, 4 months of sessions

Course Design 

Breakthrough teacher!

“Stephanie really understood the issues I was facing as a A-Level Sociology student struggling to interface with the subject. In this first lesson she helped me enjoy learning again and to up the bar on what I can achieve.”

— Nathan, 5 months with Stephanie