Voices of the Healing Community: Rebe Goebel
Website: www.rebegoebel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebegoebel
Who are you as a person and what drew you to the work that you do.
I'm a special needs mama, former Air Force officer and contracts negotiator, turned author, somatic coach and community leader. I'm the kind of person who thinks, "It'd be so helpful if XYZ existed!" Then when I can't find it, I go and build it, so the next person has an easier time. That's why the title to my book is Lanterns in the Dark. My goal has always been to leave lit lanterns behind me to help others find their own way. That's exactly who I am as a healer--I'm going to give you options and food for thought, but ultimately I want to guide you back to YOU as the source of your own truth and solutions.
I've always been drawn to collaborating deeply with others and I'm not afraid to say that I'm really good at what I do. I was good at my corporate job, too, but it was absolutely soul-sucking and I hated it. I became my own boss 10 years ago and have never regretted it.
What kind of healing work do you offer? Share about your modality, specialties, or the types of clients you love working with.
I offer parent advocacy coaching, breathwork, Reiki, and meditation. My focus is on helping other parents of children with special needs support themselves to they can be a better advocate for their children. In my book Lanterns in the Dark: A Holistic Guide to Navigating Special Education Without Losing Your Sanity, I teach parents how to care for themselves while they're in survival mode, how to navigate the special education process, and the essential leadership, communication, and negotiation skills they need to get the necessary support for their child.
One of my favorite modalities is breathwork. Breathwork is like meditation's big sister and is a beautiful complement to other more traditional mental health practices. Whereas therapy comes at a situation from the top-down: "I don't feel good. Let me try to think different thoughts and see if I feel better," breathwork works from from bottom-up: "I don't feel good. Let me change how my body feels and see if that gives me the capacity to think different thoughts." Both approaches are helpful, but for a client who is stuck in their head, or experiencing a lot of anxiety, breathwork can often help them drop into their body and access a different perspective. Breathwork is also a better tool than meditation for people who struggle to "sit still and clear their mind." Focusing on an intentional breathing pattern gives part of their mind something to do, so their inner knowing can come on line.
I love working with other special needs parents - especially those who are in the sandwich generation, caring for both their children and aging parents simultaneously.
What lights you up about the work you do?
I love seeing shifts in my client's nervous system happen in real-time. I also love holding space for women who are dealing with one of the hardest parts of parenting - caring for a child who has special needs. I know that the work I do is not only changing my client's life, but it ripples through her whole family and can drastically improve the life of her child with special needs. My work has a lifelong and even generational effect and I can't think of anything more important to do.
What is something about your philosophy, training, or style that sets your work apart?
My approach blends science and spirit into practical, effective tools that work in the life my client has right now. I brought this same partnership into my book. There are a lot of books about special education, but they focus on the process and the law. While that's absolutely important to understand, if parents approach the school unprepared to take a leadership role on their child's team, having a knowledge of the law won't help them successfully advocate for their child. Nor will it help them navigate their own nervous system and responses when things go sideways.
I don't coach from a theoretical standpoint. I have real-world experience, spanning nearly 2 decades, in using my skills to advocate for both of my children. From leading teams in the military and negotiating multi-million dollar contracts to deeply studying breathwork, somatics, hypnosis, and a myriad of other practices, I've used them all to support myself during really, really hard times as I went to bat for my kids.
Who is the type of client that would benefit most from working with you?
Parents of children with special needs are my passion, but I'm really skilled at helping the women who have done all the therapy, but their bodies are still stuck in fight or flight mode.
What does “community” mean to you as a healer or wellness professional?
I could not have achieved all that I have without people in my community stepping up to support me and my family. As a professional, community is just as important. I've never bought into the scarcity mindset around seeing others in my field as competition. A rising tide raises all ships, ya know? So I will always take the time to help out those who need it when I can. It's basically the whole premise of Lanterns in the Dark!
What are you currently excited about in your work?
Lanterns in the Dark: A Holistic Guide to Navigating Special Education Without Losing Your Sanity launched on April 21, 2026! I've been working on this book for years and I can't believe it's finally about to be in people's hands. The eBook and paperback will be available on publication day wherever you buy your books, with the audiobook coming early fall.
As a complement to the book, I'm now offering virtual Special Education "Office Hours" once per month, as well as a new workshop called, "Self-Care When You're in Survival Mode," which I will host quarterly, both in person and virtually.
Personally, I'm always learning something. Now that the book is launched, I'll be wrapping up a hypnosis certification and diving into a TBR list that fills an entire bookcase.
What is a belief or words of wisdom that guide you in your work.
The tools you use to feel better shouldn't stress you out! Make the practice simple and playful whenever you can.
Tell us a fun fact about you outside of work.
I lived in France during the summer between my sophomore and junior years of college doing a six-week study abroad and then a six-week internship. My very first apartment was in Paris and was so small I could set my earbuds upside down on my Discman (ahem, it was 1999) and hear my music perfectly from every corner. But I was 20 and living on my own in Paris. I was in heaven.
How can we get in touch with you or get your book?
I can be found on all socials @rebegoebel and online at www.rebegoebel.com. There, you can preorder/order the book, as well as find the free book resources available for readers.
In theory, I have a podcast, "From Root to Crown with Rebe" on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, etc., but recording took a backseat over the last year while I was finishing the book. I hope to launch a new season later in 2026, so you can catch up now and be ready for new episodes when they drop.
