FAQ's

What does a typical call look like?

There really is no typical call. At its most basic, you will bring a topic, something like… “I need to decide this week about which job to take” or “I want to communicate more freely with my mother” or “I wish I was better at managing my time”... or really any topic. Then I ask you questions, and together we get curious and gain clarity about what you’re learning, and where you could be growing etc. We celebrate and acknowledge moments of victory or new insights  -  of which there are always many. We sometimes use tools or games or role play or visualizations to embody the learning and let it really sink in.* At the end we name the learning, set intentions, identify homework, and set up systems for accountability.

*You ideally want to schedule your call in a private space where you feel safe to fully engage with your learning.

What’s the difference between coaching and counseling? Is coaching a form of consulting?

Both counseling and coaching serve important roles and there can be a lot of overlap in philosophy and approach. People generally seek out a counselor to work through a pain or trauma in their past and to work towards healing. Coaching is typically focused on setting intentions for the future and exploring areas of growth or new learning.  Topics may show up in coaching that you want to explore in greater depth with a counselor as well.

Despite the wide use of the term, coaching is not consulting. Again there can be lots of overlap, but a consultant is typically an expert in a specific field that provides advice and counsel. In contrast, a coach will work to empower you to solve problems, collaborate, or access resources through asking questions, challenging you, and holding you accountable. 

Isn’t coaching in person better? 

Coaching over the phone actually offers some real advantages. Of course it allows you the time and flexibility to fit a session into your full schedule without having to drive to an office somewhere, but it also creates some safety for you to engage with the exercises or questions without self-consciously feeling watched. It also allows me to pick up on the nuances in your tone of voice (which varies more than you might think). I recognize that not everyone is a 'phone person', and it can take a couple of calls to get comfortable. Remember you don't have to come up with small talk here!

What kind of availability do you have?

People come with all kinds of schedule limitations. I have a flexible range of daytime, evening, and Saturday slots available. You can use my online scheduling link to book your sessions without having all the back-and-forth “when is a good time for you” emails.

I don’t have international calling; is that a problem? 

I have had clients from all over the world - Australia, South Africa, USA.... If we can find a time that we are both awake, then I'm sure we can find a way to connect. There are tons of great apps that allow for free or low cost long-distance calling. Generally, if you have access to internet we can find a way to have a call.