Frequently asked questions and darned good answers.
What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?
Frankly, I can’t tell you specifically what any given therapist does or doesn’t do, just as I can’t tell you what any other coach does or doesn’t do. Be it coach or therapist, we are all trained differently and all approach our work differently. I do know that both coaches and therapists want to help their clients and both are valuable and reputable resources for getting that help. And I can tell you that as a coach, I approach your challenges based on where you are today without necessarily needing to know everything about your childhood. Sure, we’ll look at your patterns from the past if needed, but mostly we’re going to look at what’s holding you back right now, figure out why, and then apply some tools to help you move forward. I do not give advice or tell you what I think you should do and I don’t prescribe medicine. However, I will offer you options to consider and tools you can use. All choices and decisions are yours to make. By the way, contrary to popular belief, if you’re already seeing a therapist or counselor, you can still see a coach at the same time. I have several clients that do.
How many sessions will I need?
That depends on how stuck you are, how diligent you are in doing the work and how readily you give yourself permission to make changes. Coaching with me is not about me giving you the answers to your tough questions and challenges and you skipping merrily away on a rainbow. That kind of coaching wouldn’t serve you – I can guarantee it. I’m going to ask you even tougher questions than you ask yourself and help you facilitate the answers and truths that you’ve been unable or unwilling to find by yourself. Then I’m going to give you tools to help you stay on track and help you practice. That can take a while, and that's why my initial package is a 6-month commitment. But I promise, if you’re willing to do the work, our time will be more than worth it.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately, I do not take insurance, which can be financially challenging, I know. But let me ask you this: If you were in extreme distress and a doctor told you he knew he could help you feel better but his treatment wasn’t covered under insurance, would you pay for treatment out of pocket to get some greatly needed relief? Car maintenance isn’t covered under insurance either, yet if you don’t maintain your car’s engine it will cease to move forward and it often ends up costing more to get it back up and running than if you would have taken care of it when the “check engine” light went on. Coaching can help you feel better and give you relief. Coaching can help you move forward when your light goes on.
What if nothing changes?
Wow. I can honestly say I’ve never had a single coaching session where there hasn’t been some sort of shift or new understanding or awareness or dramatic ah-ha moment for my client. Never. That is not to say that a client has never left a session and fallen back into old patterns, because that can happen. However, they’re usually much quicker to recognize their misalignment and quickly get back on track. Change occurs when you practice the new thoughts and use the tools during those times when old patterns appear. I can’t change you, but YOU can change you. I’m really good at helping you discover how to do that and at helping you stay on-track.
Can I get a refund?
I do not offer refunds. If you hire a personal trainer but you don’t lift the weight, it doesn’t mean the trainer has failed at their job. I promise to give you 100% of my time and talent during each session and I’ll support you in between, but make no mistake – the heavy lifting is yours to do. That’s why I only work with people who are ready and willing to do what it takes to make the changes they want to make.
How do I know if I need a coach?
Hmmm. Unless you’re here by mistake or because you’re curious or because you already know me and you’re just checking out my website, I’m going to guess that things aren’t totally hunky-dory in your world at the moment. Maybe you’re having difficulty making a big decision or transition. Perhaps your relationship is a little (or a lot) wonky and you’re not quite sure what to do about it. Maybe you’re having challenges with your kids, parents, friends or job. Or you feel stuck. Confused. Bored. You have big ideas but don’t know how to make them happen. You’re afraid of what people think or afraid of failing or afraid of succeeding. Or you just don’t know what you want. Do any of those scenarios ring your bell? If you’re human, you’re going to have one or more challenges arise sometime in your life. Everybody needs a coach! It’s just a matter of when and who. I’d be honored to be your “who”.