Question 1

What is coaching?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is a guided personal growth process designed to help you tap into your own internal wisdom, learn new tools and processes, and make meaningful progress towards your goals. People seek coaching for many reasons—self-actualization, meaningful relationships, building a business, emotional growth, or health goals.

Like a personal trainer for your brain, and a massage for your soul.

We create a judgment-free space for self-discovery, offer tools, support, and accountability - and we ask alot of questions along the way to empower you to be your best whole self, living your best whole life - and we hold the belief that you are the one who defines that.

Question 2

What types of topics do you typically support people on?

Accepted Answer

The best answer I can give you right now is: If you feel drawn to my message, don’t stress the reason or your circumstance. Message me whenever you hear your inner "yes."

But to actually answer your question -

The #1 reason people come to me for personal coaching is Self love, Empowerment, & Wholeness - but, that's not typically what people ask for up front. The two most common topics I'm asked for are dating and relationships support or purpose-driven projects/business creation (Psp, I love working with folks who want to create innovative impact projects). But, I've found in my ten+ years of personal development work that most of the big sticking points boil down to a challenge in your relationship to self - not always, but most of the time. Regardless of your starting point, it's good to be aware that our work will take you to the root - and that likely means some self love and healing. From there, we can build absolutely anything.

Some other common starting points are: 
 • Finding your purpose. 
 • Work/life balance and self care.
 • Doing your best at work. 
 • Embodiment, emotional experiencing, and emotional intelligence.
 • I’ve recently started really enjoying health change coaching.

Question 3

Are there any types of topics you do not support people on?

Accepted Answer

If you want a peak performance coach for something like athletics, I have a recommendation for you, but it’s not me.

I am also not what some folks tend to think of when they think “business coach.” In my experience, about half the time folks are looking for a business coach, what they actually are looking for is a business advisor. For example, this is the case if they want someone who can tell them the answers on things like tax law, employment law, etc. This isn't me. However, I do work with folks on business development from the angle of designing a vision, making a plan, scaling capacity, and having accountability support in bringing it to life.

Otherwise, I fundamentally operate as a relational coach and that generally enables me to support most areas of life.

It's worth adding, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I do not treat Disease and Disorder.

Question 4

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Accepted Answer

While coaching may feel therapeutic, it is important to know that it is not Therapy.

The simple difference is: A coach’s main job is to empower Flourishing. A therapist’s main job is to alleviate the symptoms of Disease and Disorder.

Both roles are important, especially for overall thriving, but they serve different needs. We wrote a thorough blog post (https://www.tempered.life/post/the-difference-between-coaching-and-therapy)on this, but in spirit, the need for both approaches is summed up in this:

The absence of depression does not equal the presence of joy. 
The presence of joy does not equal the absence of depression.

Question 5

Is coaching covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, coaching is not covered by insurance. Insurance only covers the treatment of diagnosed disorders and medically necessary interventions - regardless of the practitioner’s credentials or if they are additionally licensed as a therapist. Coaching is not a treatment for mental disorders.

FYI - it is totally possible to find a practitioner who is licensed as a therapist and credentialed as a coach! The insurance system still works the same though, so your therapy could be covered but any coaching will not be.

For clarity - while I do have a Bachelor’s in Psychology, I do not carry a license as a therapist and do not intend to.

Question 6

Can I work with you and a therapist at the same time? What if I have a mental health disorder diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes! Metaphorically, you can work with a personal trainer for fitness while you see a doctor to treat your asthma. Similarly, you can see a coach to help you with your life goals while you see a therapist for the treatment of a mental illness. The two things may be related, but a coach and a therapist work on two different ends of the spectrum.

One example of this might be an individual who has ADHD and wants to start a side-business. They may work with a therapist for medication to help regulate their symptoms, and they may work with a coach to create a plan with measurable goals.

If you have any questions about your personal situation, please ask! Most of my clients are currently seeing a therapist or they've done a ton of therapy in the past and are looking for a new approach.

Interesting facts time - About 20% of adults in the US currently live with a mental health disorder, and about 50% of the population will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. It’s more normal than some assume.

As a reminder - I do not diagnose, or treat mental illness. If you currently have a mental health disorder diagnosis, it is important that you continue to work with your mental health care professional. As coaching is not a substitute for mental or physical health care, I do require that any clients I work with who are receiving mental health care at the start of coaching agree in writing to not make any changes to their therapy treatment, mental health medications, or physical health medications during the course of our work together without the knowledge and guidance of their mental or physical health care professional.

For added safety, I do not work with individuals who are currently experiencing suicidality, self-harm, or delusions of any kind.

Question 7

Are sessions delivered online or in-person?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, our sessions are all online. Our work together may evolve to include personalized experiences though, like personal day-long workshops, which could take place in-person.

Question 8

What are your rates?

Accepted Answer

My package rates ranges from $125 - $200 per hour, depending on the type of coaching and the size of the package.  The average session is $150 per hour.

Question 9

Are there any payment plans?

Accepted Answer

For packages that are for more than one month of service, yes.

Question 10

How long will we work together?

Accepted Answer

It really depends on what you’re aiming to do. Sometimes all we need is a month to break through a behavior change, sometimes there’s a bigger life change that requires some deep work, and sometimes it can just be valuable to have on-going support and coaching becomes a form of self-care. I personally have worked with my own coach on and off for about ten years on various topics as my life has changed and evolved over time.

Generally, I find it best if we start with three months. You'll certainly make significant progress during that time, and if that fully accomplishes your goal, great! Six-nine months is pretty average for a significant life goal, but some clients will keep going with me in a lesser capacity to maintain momentum for years.

That said, coaching is meant to empower; it should not be a new crutch. I will not do regular weekly sessions with a client on the same area of life (barring a life or scope change during our work) for more than a year straight. At that point, I require that we take a month off. I do have clients that I have worked with on and off for 5+ years, but I think it's really important for people to fly on their own for a bit.

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