"Coaching" is vague and confusing, I know!

 

Like...am I paying for a cheerleader?

 

What if I never even liked sports and don't think of my life as one?

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Here are a few ways that I describe coaching and what I offer:

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• It's not therapy. Coaches aren't licensed mental health professionals (unless they also are) and their scope of practice typically doesn't include going directly into your deepest traumas. They will, however, have training in helping people in a variety of ways (more on that next), but aren't diving into your mental health and will refer you to another professional as needed.

• Training specific. Unlike most of your family and friends, coaches are trained! There are many types of coaching trainings out there so coaches will vary greatly in what they do. 

• Help with blind spots. It's challenging to see ourselves! We can all use someone outside of ourselves with a wider vantage point who can be lovingly honest about what they see.

• Objectivity. Have reflected what seems truly present beyond the pre-conceived ideas or multi-layered complexity of family and friend relationships. Be witnessed as a fully remarkable and capable human being by someone who believes you can achieve what you want wholeheartedly.

• It's not consulting. A helpful clarification between coaching and consulting: consulting is where someone primarily gives suggestions based on their expertise; coaching is more question based where instead of being taught or told what to do, the client is guided towards their own wisdom and to choose and act from that. Decisions and choices made from within are generally the most powerful long-term.

• Emphasis on experience. While many therapeutic modalities are talk-based, my sessions include practices and techniques because talk alone doesn't necessarily lead to change. Already embodying a different state or action during the session initiates and anchors the change process. 

• Accountability and homework. This is optional and really powerful for those who are ready. Compared with most therapy, coaching tends to be known for element of accountability, meaning each week you have a chance to be encouraged by your coach to move in the direction of your desires. Just like how exercising multiple times a week creates more results faster than once a week, so does something in between sessions. Coaching is an opportunity to take the action steps needed (that YOU choose) in your daily life outside of the session to integrate what happens in the session and create real-life change.