WORKING WITH ME (FAQs)    

 

1. How do the sessions work? Time? Cost? 

 

I can meet with you in person, on the phone or via the internet. Many clients much prefer the phone or the internet to dealing with travel time. You might be surprised at how well sessions work on the phone. I was.

 

There are many ways we can structure the length, time and payment of our sessions. I like to be flexible, so it makes sense to discuss arrangements via phone when we decide to work together.  I’m really not trying to be evasive and secretive about it, because I know it’s probably the thing you’re wondering the most but I prefer to listen to your needs and concerns as a respectful start to our relationship, no matter whether we continue together or not. 

 

2. Is Coaching Different From Therapy?

 

Yes. Yes. And yes again. Life Coaching is not therapy.

 

You’re a whole person (obviously). You have feelings, thoughts, sensations; a past, a future, and a now. All of these are present in our work together. 

 

However, therapy is foremost a technique designed to heal past wounds.  It assumes that you need healing in order to function. Therapists use specific criteria to decide what is wrong with you. Making a "diagnosis" is essential to the process.  Also, a  therapist is responsible for both the process and the outcome of therapy. 

 

Coaching is about moving forward into a better situation. Its focus is on possibilities and future goals. I work from the premise that you may be stuck, but the knowledge of how to get unstuck is available to you as you explore new ways of thinking, being and doing. My presence and skills + your wholehearted participation  (not diagnosis)=change. As the coach I am responsible for the process and you are responsible for the outcome.

 

While a good coach (that’s me) knows when it’s useful to look at the past and understands the value of emotion in all aspects of making change, therapist I am not.

 

Coaching may not be therapy, yet many folks say it's therapeutic.

 

Just so you know: sometimes it becomes clear that a client needs a therapist. Not a problem. I will make recommendations. Therapists and coaches can work together too.  

 

3. What's the average length of time a person stays in coaching?

 

Short answer: it depends. I know, not the answer you wanted, but it's true. Each person comes to coaching with different needs, goals, level of urgency, quality of motivation, and time to devote to pursuing change. Significant change can happen between 1 month to a year, and two of my recent "graduates" spent six months (once per week) with me. 

 

4. What would you (Judy) like me (lovely reader) to know about coaching?

 

Real and lasting change, in your job, your, your habits,  your relationships - your life - requires looking at yourself: your patterns, your strengths, and your obstacles.

 

This often involves letting go of old ways of thinking, being and doing - those ways that won't get you from here to there.

 

It requires openness to new perspectives and approaches. 

 

Ordinary courage, which you already possess, is needed.

 

While this process is exciting and ultimately very rewarding, it can be uncomfortable. 

 

If you're curious or ready to Move Into Change contact me.