Frequently Asked Questions

The International Coaching Federation is the Gold Standard of professional coaching. An ICF Credentialed Coach is a professional that has met stringent education and experience requirements and has demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the profession. An ICF Coach adheres to strict ethical guidelines as outlined in the ICF Code of Ethics. ICF Coaches are committed to ongoing personal and professional development in the service of their Clients and the coaching profession. You can find out more about what it means to be an ICF Certified Coach on their website: coachingfederation.org

Holistic Coaching operates under the belief that everything rests in a web of inter-connectedness. It is a beautiful partnership between the Coach and the Client, with no one in a position of power. A Holistic Coach sees the Client as whole, complete, and resourceful. Holistic Coaching facilitates the development of personal and professional growth by shining a light on the Client’s unique magnificence and asking powerful questions, which lead to the Client’s own insights and strategies to achieve their goals. Holistic Coaching recognizes the inter-connectedness of the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual planes, and uses this as a lens to facilitate Client growth. Its purpose is to get below the surface and explore what really needs to be addressed in order to achieve the desired outcome, recognizing that change happens from the inside out. This all happens in a completely safe, loving, and confidential space.

Although Coaching and Therapy can often work hand in hand, Coaches do not diagnose or offer treatment. One of the main distinctions between Coaching and Therapy is that Coaching focuses on visioning successful outcomes, acknowledging where you are in the present moment and moving towards where you want to be in the future. Therapy often emphasizes the past in order to understand the present. As an ICF Certified Coach, it is my ethical duty to refer a client to therapy if their issue is so extreme it begins to interfere with their daily functioning. Coaches tend to work with individuals looking for greater success, happiness, and overall well being, while not shying away from strong emotions that might arise, and as such, coaching is a powerful tool. Therapists often, although not always, work with individuals with some level of trauma or mental health issues. Although there is overlap in Coaching and Therapy, it is important to understand the distinction. For more information, see the ICF White Paper on referring a Client to Therapy

Coaching always starts with an initial free 30-60 minute call to answer any questions the Client might have and to see if it will be a good partnership between the Coach and Client. Then an agreed upon number of sessions for the Coaching engagement is set. It is important to understand that Coaching is a process, not an event. Usually, a 3-6 month engagement, weekly or every other week, will yield the best results. However, sometimes even 6 sessions can be enough ( I don’t recommend less than this). Coaching can be extremely powerful in helping Clients achieve new insights and shifts in mindset that can help them move towards their desired outcome in a relatively short period of time.

I have coached Clients on many different issues including, but not limited to: Work/life balance, parenting, relationships, health and wellness, finding a job, moving, career change, making a big decision, starting a business, communication, overwhelm, time management, accountability, self confidence, trust issues, fears, limiting beliefs, family/life balance, overall well-being, motherhood, aligning with one’s highest self, values, authenticity, life purpose, spiritual growth, finding joy, creating rhythms and routines, consistency, loss, transitions, collaboration, and achieving goals, to name just a few.