Meet Rebecca
Bethany says…
Rebecca is my sister, and for as long as I can remember, she’s been someone people naturally bring their hearts to. Even as a kid, friends, teachers, and sometimes complete strangers seemed to sense that she was listening in a different way—without rushing, without fixing, just making space for things to be said out loud. She was also, unfortunately for me, usually right about things, which is a quality that’s aged extremely well for her and mildly inconveniently for the rest of us.
She grew up to become a child psychiatrist, spending years inside a system that often moves faster than healing does. Over time, she began to follow a quieter pull—toward work that feels more human, more relational, and more connected to the natural rhythms that shape how we actually live. She’s now building a community-based coaching practice that reflects that shift, supporting families in ways that honor nervous systems, connection, and the wisdom that doesn’t come from textbooks.
She’s also a mother of three, and she brings the same thoughtfulness and intention to parenting that she brings to everything else. She pays attention. She questions. She notices the small things most people miss.
And because she’s my sister, I can also tell you she’s the person you want in your corner when life falls apart—the one who will tell you the truth, sit with you in the hard parts, and maybe gently suggest you drink some water and go outside.
Rebecca’s work is about helping people slow down, reconnect, and trust themselves again—and she lives that practice every day.
Noa says…
Dr. Rebecca Schaeffer is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, coach, and lifelong student of the human spirit. As the oldest of four, she learned early how to be responsible, capable, and steady — qualities that shaped both her medical career and her calling.
She served as a Child Psychiatrist at ECMC in Buffalo and later as a medical director in the insurance world, advocating for children and families navigating complex systems of care. Through years of hospital leadership and clinical work, Rebecca came to understand not only the science of mental health, but the structural pressures placed on caregivers.
Burnout ultimately led her to step away from prestigious roles and financial incentives. That decision was deliberate — rooted in therapy, reflection, and a commitment to living differently. She now describes herself as “underemployed by design,” choosing work that allows space for parenting, partnership, restoration, and building Fill Your Own Bucket around a simple but radical belief: wellness of mind and spirit are the anchors of a meaningful life.
Influenced by a Waldorf upbringing steeped in nature and imagination, Rebecca brings both science and soul to her practice. She speaks openly about ritual, symbolism, and the sacredness of the natural world — grounded always in clinical depth and decades of experience.
