FAQs

Coaching works like a flashlight; an outside source shining on the blind spots that we can’t see for ourselves.  It can be difficult to do this on our own (even for coaches!), since we’re so used to the way we see and do things that we can’t see where we are stuck.  An effective coach will help you open up the way you see yourself and the world, so that you can develop new perspectives and abilities that will enable you to reach your goals.  

Therapy and coaching can complement each other or stand alone.  I actually think coaching is a great next step after therapy:  as the therapy "patient" is healed (or at least gains a measure of containment) and exits therapy, they can tremendously benefit from support and structure as they explore how their new whole self can take effective action in the world (as a coaching "client").
However, coaching and therapy work in different ways.  Therapy is usually about uncovering and recovering one’s past, while coaching is more about discovering what is possible.  Therapy brings you from the past to a healthier present, whereas coaching takes you forward to your best future, by focusing on action.  The type of coaching that I am trained and certified in, Integral Coaching,^(r) also works to provide greater access to more of us through the emotional, intuitive and somatic wisdom that is usually an untapped resource in each of us.

•    Greater ability to observe your patterns of habit and response, where they might be hindering your success in specific areas of your life, and how to shift them.
•    New behaviors that replace unhelpful behaviors with more useful skills and habits, resulting in long-term growth and excellence.
•    A clear plan for moving forward that is both motivating and realistic for you.
•    Ongoing support for your efforts – motivation, structure and challenge from an independent, qualified source.
•    An overall increase in consciousness of all the different parts of yourself, and a greater connection to those around you.  

People usually assume that in-person coaching is preferable, but my experience and professional studies show that coaching over the phone  is equally effective.  If possible, I like to meet the person for a 'discovery' session, although geographical considerations do not always permit this.  Follow-up conversations are conducted by phone, as it is more time-efficient for both client and coach, while being just as useful for the client (or more so, even).

Life in Western cultures is increasingly complex and insecure. Some people are tired of doing what they "should" do.  They want to take control of where they are going and how they are spending their time.  Others are frustrated with repeating behaviors that always yield the same unsatisfactory results.  Some are just not very happy with the way their lives are going,  or who they have always 'mistaken' themselves to be, and suspect there’s more.  Coaching can provide a simple yet powerful approach to change, in a world that keeps us so busy it’s hard to focus on what’s really important to us.

People who have achieved success are interested in maintaining  and building on it for future success and satisfaction.  Integral Coaching will ensure that you are as fulfilled in as many areas of your life as possible, including ones that you may not have been aware of.  

Do I want Integral Coaching or Executive Coaching?

Executive (or Business) Coaching is usually about creating success in business that includes prosperity, power, and possibly prestige.  True success also includes fulfillment, balance, joy, peace, passion, contribution and a connection to something larger than our 'separate' selves.  Even if we think our issue is specific to the business world, working with an Integral  Coach to manifest success in business will take a wider perspective that allows us to attain greater fulfillment and balance across all domains of our life.

One of my primary roles in working with clients is to leave the client able to ‘self-correct’ and ‘self-generate’.  This means the awareness and ability to continually develop yourself on your own long after the coaching has finished, so that you know how to apply your coaching learnings to other, new challenges and opportunities.  This is a foundation of the Integral Coaching approach.

Integral Coaching is one of the most powerful and cost-effective investments in yourself possible.  How do I know this?  Because I personally spent 6 years trying many different self-exploration modalities  in the spiritual, somatic, relational, psychodynamic  and intellectual spheres, and I ended up becoming a coach because I was impacted the most powerfully in the shortest amount of time by integral coaching.

I offer an obligation-free, cost-free exploration session to explore if coaching is right for you at this point in your life (and I will tell you if it's not, so that neither of us wastes our time). 

Rates are $125 per hour for individuals, with a sliding scale based on income.  Prospective clients should consider, among other questions (see below), how much they consider they are worth investing in...feel free to discuss this with me, as there is often a question around what clients are "able" to invest that is a worthy exploration into unconscious priorities and self-worth.  

Clients and I usually work together for a minimum of three months, as it takes at least that long to embody fundamental, lasting change (remember that we've been doing things the 'old way' for a long time!).  However, some topics (such as career transition) are less about shifting behavior and more about guiding effective action, and can successfully addressed in shorter periods.

Ask yourself the following questions (see below).  Look around for a coach that seems to offer what you think you need:  try the International Coaching Federation for recommendations; New Ventures offers referrals to Certified Integral Coaches^(r) such as myself.  You may wish to speak to two or three different coaches before deciding no one:  describe why you are seeking a coach and what is important to you in a coaching relationship; invite the coach to describe who they are, how they work, and what is important to them.  

If you decide that you and I seem to be a good match, then feel free to contact me.

• How happy am I with all the areas of my life (the ones I know about)?  Which ones seem to have the most opportunity for positive change?
• Are there any areas of my life that I don’t feel like I know very well?
• Where do I feel “stuck”?
• Where is there a big opportunity for me?
• What are the outcomes from coaching that I’d really like to see?  (consider both long-term and short-term possibilities).
• How will coaching fit into what I’m already doing?
• What could interrupt this coaching program for me, and how might I respond?
• What level of commitment am I willing and able to bring to this program (given my work, family, personal, social, health, financial needs?)