Kathryn Amenta

About Kathryn Amenta

Money is a highly charged emotional subject for most people, because we imagine our identity and self-worth are connected to our money. This erroneous belief entangles our core sense of self and burdens our lives. We carry deep shame about the state of our money, and fear others will find us worthless if they knew our real story. I understand this burden, because it has been mine too.

I began practice as a money coach in 1994, after healing my own money problems. I had been a successful professional in the financial world, but racked up tremendous debt in an expensive lifestyle I believed would soothe the emotional pain that had been following me since childhood. I did the deep personal work that unraveled the emotional and psychological dimensions of my life. I came to see how my emotions and habits drove me into debt, eroded my financial security, disrupted my relationships and kept me in fear.

My work as a money coach is the culmination of my professional experiences, education and personal money transformation. I was a project manager with Merril Corp in San Francisco, coordinating corporate, private and municipal financings. I held management positions with Charles P. Young and Merrill Corp, and was an investments advisor for Merrill Lynch. I graduated from Mills College with a degree in psychology and completed graduate studies in business at the University of California. I am a graduate of the Financial Recovery Institute and member of the Financial Planning Assn.

Through my personal recovery, I experienced the opening of my heart of compassion. I bring that compassion into my work with individuals, couples and business owners. I operate from patience and non-judgment to guide them in uncovering the emotional core of their money habits and problems. It is so rewarding to provide a safe place for people to talk about their money—many for the first time in their lives. I teach them how to replace self-limiting money habits with powerful financial skills for tracking income and expenses, saving, planning for their future and living skillfully within their means.

Through writing, speaking and standing in the media spotlight, I work to open up the cultural conversation about money and self-worth. I have been a contributing author to several publications, and make regular online posts. I have appeared on NBC-TV San Francisco Bay Area, KBZS-Business Radio and KFOG-Radio. My speaking engagements have included: the Financial Literacy Project Mountain View, National Assn of Financial Planners, University of CA Berkeley and Auto Desk Las Vegas. I give back through pro bono work with various agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area.

To learn more, read posts and sign up for money news & tips, please go to KathrynAmenta.com