Regardless of the topic, the coaching process is pretty similar.  Coaches can have specialties with more training or experience (e.g. functional health training or a corporate background), but a coach will see the client as as the expert in their own life.  Through thoughtful questions, insightful reflections, and a well-honed intuition, a coach will support you in identifying your big picture destination and goals, and then help you break down the steps to get there.   Everyone has a unique set of strengths, values, and circumstances so there is no magic formula.  The coaching process is work, but work that is an investment in positive change, momentum forward, and empowered balance. 

As no two people are alike, nor are their goals or paths to get there. Everyone’s process will be different. However, we will start with an initial conversation. You can ask additional questions, and I can start to understand what’s going well and where you may need support. If you decide to move forward with coaching, we’ll land on a client-coach agreement and then get started.  Typically, our first session will create a framework of longer term goals and a vision or state when things are optimal.  This framework helps guide the smaller steps that are less daunting and impact the day to day.  

From there, we begin our regular coaching sessions. We start down the path to your goals, one step at a time. There may be bumps in the road, or successes to build upon. Either way, I will never tell you what to do; you are the expert on you. You are the driver, and as your coach, I help navigate the path to your goals.

As the client, you are best suited to know what best works for your lifestyle and schedule. We’ll work together to line up your calendar to your goals. It could be every week, bi-weekly, monthly or something in between.  Sessions will be via Zoom and I offer flexible options for appointments in case a traditional 9-5 weekday doesn’t work for you. Sessions are typically 45 minutes, but we can also do a shorter 25 minute check in if you’d rather meet more frequently to help with consistency and accountability.  If something comes up and you need to reschedule, no problem; I just ask 24 hours notice.

Like everything in coaching, that is up to you, the client.  Some clients start coaching with an idea of a change they want to make, research complete, and a plan in mind.  They are looking for support and accountability as they navigate creating new habits.  Other people need help identifying obstacles on their path to wellness, brainstorming solutions and experimenting with different options to help reach their goals.  Everyone’s path is different, as are everyone’s goals and circumstances.   Some people engage in coaching for a few months and then check in periodically.    Others frame out a coaching plan based on longer term goals or a more significant behavior change.  Yet, other clients choose to manage one session at a time.   It’s really up to you, where you are headed, and how much support you need from your coach.

In short, therapy examines the past to help a client cope with the present. Coaching builds on the present to create the future.  Generally, therapists and counselors help identify a patient’s state of dysfunction and work with them to become fully functional. This often focuses on resolving conflicts, overcoming past issues, healing trauma, and sometimes managing mental illness. In dealing with the past, therapy can support a patient to exist in the present. Coaching clients, in contrast, are already functional in their day to day lives. They’ve got goals and desire a change, and it’s the coach’s job to help empower them to harness their strengths and take action to live their best life. Coaches, specifically certified health coaches, are trained to identify the differences between frustration that a client feels due to feeling stuck in a behavior that isn’t serving them, vs. a more clinical depression or mood issue that needs to be referred to a mental health professional.    As a coach, it’s our job to discuss with a client any mental health concern out of our scope, and encourage them to seek someone trained specifically in a mental health field.

In our normal conventional health care model, a doctor may indicate a lifestyle change is needed to help prevent or reverse a chronic condition (lose weight, reduce stress, improve sleep, exercise more, etc.).   Virtually everything can impact our health if it gets out of balance.   Rarely does a doctor have the time or training to help you find your specific motivation and plan for preparing, implementing, acting on, and maintaining that change.   This is where coaches step in.   We focus less on the “what”, and more on the “why” and “how”.  We believe you know yourself best, and help sort out what works for YOU to help you reach YOUR goals on YOUR timeline.