Coaching FAQs

A life coach is a trained professional who assists individuals in navigating life challenges and transitions in all aspects of life.  There are some coaches that specialize in areas like health & fitness, career growth, or business coaching.  I specialize in personal development, relationship navigation, and managing life changes.  

While therapy focuses on healing past experiences or mental health challenges, life coaches center on the present and helping you create the future you desire. They provide support, strategies and skills that strengthen mental resilience, foster good habits and promote action-oriented goal setting.  Many people benefit from working with both therapists and coaches.  

This is my opinion and observation, it is generally best to work with two separate professionals.  One for therapy and one for coaching, when both are needed.  One person becoming involved in both roles runs the risk of becoming too involved with their client.  An enmeshment can occur causing objectivity and effectiveness to become compromised.  

When choosing a life coach, seek someone with substantial experience navigating the complexities of life challenges and changes. A coach with decades of experience, ideally 10-20 years, brings a deep understanding of diverse client challenges, enabling them to offer tailored strategies and insights. Their practical expertise can help you achieve clarity and results more effectively. My 20 years of extensive observation and practice have honed my ability to deeply understand human behavior, emotions, and motivations, which allows for a wealth of insight and intuitive guidance to be available to you. 

While life coaching does not require formal licensing, credentials like other professions, there are many programs available to gain coaching certifications.  They are not all reputable and highly recognized. You will want to be sure that you ask about their training and do your research on the program they have taken.  Always inquire about how much experience they have during your first chat.  I hold a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work degree) this is a generalist counseling degree obtained through the University of South Florida. Obtaining this degree involves significantly more extensive academic and practical training than a coaching certificate. 

The BSW program teaches systems theory, which views you (your body and psyche) as part of the interconnected systems of family, work, and community that shape your life. They have been trained keenly in understanding how these systems interconnect and how the challenges in one area may effect another area or system.  It is a model that builds from the strengths you possess to overcome challenges.  Through psychosocial assessment, we evaluate your physical, emotional, social and environmental challenges as it relates to your circumstances and your goals. The assessment is done in a combination of questions asked in the pre-discovery call form and a guided process during the discovery call as you share your concerns. This assessment process reveals areas of strengths to capitalize on,  challenges to overcome and provides the foundation for planning and setting your goals. 

Transitions and improvements in relationships often involve communicating new needs or boundaries with family, colleagues, or others. I provide tools to express yourself clearly resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships, ensuring your voice is heard and you are able have your needs met. 

Goal-setting is central to coaching.  A life coach helps you define clear, meaningful goals for your next chapter, breaking them into actionable steps. This process keeps you focused and motivated as you work to improve your life and navigate change. 

Anyone facing uncertainty or life transitions can benefit,  such as the addition of a new family member, empty nest, retirement, age related change, changes in health, death of a loved one, relationship issues, challenges with children, family members, friends, co-workers, etc. 

Coaches provide a confidential, supportive space to process emotions like fear, excitement, grief, pain, or uncertainty. They provide you with emotional regulation and other emotional  intelligence skills, and/or assist you in applying them.  A vital role of the coach is to facilitate celebration of your strengths, progress and achievements. They encourage you to nurture yourself, manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a positive outlook. They are your partner in navigating life. 

Yes! Coaches help you explore your values, passions, and strengths to rediscover or redefine your sense of purpose and direction. 

This is a standard practice among coaches.  It is a vetting process and get to know you process for both parties. It is the coaches way to show their investment in their work and you.  We need to be sure it is a good fit before we proceed.  Click on schedule to schedule a call with me, no pressure, no obligation (if you ever feel either of these during an initial call-run to find another coach!)