Dr. Irena O’Brien and creative wellness coach Lexi Reed explore the power of drawing as a coaching tool. They discuss how drawing engages multiple brain regions, promotes neuroplasticity, functions as active meditation, and helps clients access insights that may be hidden in verbal communication.

In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

“Drawing is a way to access flow state and the subconscious.” — Lexi Reid

Guest Bio:

Alexandra (Lexi) Reid is a creative wellness coach and medical device quality and regulatory specialist who helps high-achieving women in STEM use simple, science-informed creative practices to reduce stress and prevent burnout. Drawing on her background in neuroscience-adjacent medical technology, mindfulness, and art therapy-inspired methods, she translates research on stress, attention, and emotional regulation into practical tools her clients can use in real time.

Through her brand, Mind Art Wellness, Lexi leads a 12-week Creative Reset group coaching program, offers 1:1 coaching, and hosts The Creative Shift newsletter, where she shares low-pressure drawing and colour-based exercises that support the nervous system. After nearly seven years working in medical devices, she is especially interested in how creative micro-practices can help analytical, data-driven women reconnect with their bodies, values, and sense of possibility.

Host Bio:

Dr. Irena O'Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience.

She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit.

Dr. O'Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mirasee
Dr. Irena O'Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School
Lexi Reid’s website: MindArtWellness.com

Credits:

Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien
Producer: Andrew Chapman
Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario
Executive Producer: Danny Iny
Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely
Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio

Music credits:

Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker
Artist: Avocado Junkie
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: Coo Coos
Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo
Writer: Matthew Wigton
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Track Title: In This Light
Artist: Sounds Like Sander
Writer: Sander Kalmeijer
Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION

Special effects credits:

24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market.

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Episode transcript: Unlocking Insights Through Drawing and Creative Wellness (Lexi Reid) coming soon.