Question 1

What is a life coach?

Accepted Answer

A life coach is someone who can help you develop a plan to improve your life, feel better, and then achieve your goals with measurable, long-lasting results. It’s like having your own “river guide” who helps you stay on course using the right accountability, support, and systems. A life coach also challenges you to question how you approach life, unlock your potential so you take empowered action, and inspires you to change the way you live day-to-day to be more aligned with who you want to be.

Question 2

What is a holistic life coach?

Accepted Answer

A holistic life coach helps you transform your life and reach your goals by focusing on you as a whole person, considering your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing in any area of your life - nutrition, exercise, stress management, relationships, career, lifestyle, and overall physical and mental/emotional/spiritual health. They all work together to make you who you are and determine how you interact and react in your relationships. They also influence your actions and how you manifest in the world. Since mind and body are not separate, a “block” anywhere can impede you from reaching your goals and breaking through to the best you. That’s why it’s important to coach using a holistic approach.
 
As a holistic life coach and nurse, I integrate the wisdom of the time-honored eastern healing traditions with the knowledge of evidence-based science for a holistic approach to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. The Eastern healing traditions used to help you reach your goals may include but not be limited to meditation, breathwork, movement, sound, energy and light touch self-care techniques, and somatic healing practices.

Question 3

What is the difference between a therapist and a life coach?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is not psychotherapy, nor is it a replacement for it. There are no coach licensing requirements, and coaches do not diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition. There is also a different focus between therapy and life coaching. Therapy focuses on medical diagnoses and past traumas to improve current and future wellbeing. Coaching focuses on your current challenges and behaviors, and then works to change habits and mindset to reach your results-oriented goals. While issues from the past may be uncovered during coaching, it is best to seek the care of a licensed professional if you have any immediate mental health concerns. Therapists and life coaches often work in conjunction to help you be the best you.

Question 4

What is Somatic Healing and Integrative Somatic Trauma Work? How is it different from Psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

I have been trained in both somatic healing and integrative somatic trauma work. Somatic or soma means “body” in Latin. Somatic healing teaches you how to tap into the body’s own inner wisdom and healing capacity through receiving, listening to, and acting upon its messages. This means allowing yourself to experience bodily sensations and feelings to get “unstuck” and restore balance. The body stores everything, both consciously and subconsciously. Sometimes it’s easier to gently access the subconscious through the body rather than the brain, even the hurts of our childhood and the emotions and tendencies inherited from our ancestors throughout the generations. Imbalance in the body can also be a contributing factor to “dis-ease.” It’s amazing how fast your “blocks” may be released once the body, rather than the cognitive brain, is accessed to restore balance.
 
Integrative somatic trauma work uses the sensations and experiences in the body to energetically release both physical and emotional blocks. Trauma in this context means anything in your past or present that overwhelmed you in some way and keeps you from achieving your current goals. It is not meant as a diagnostic term, nor as a psychological or medical condition. Coaches do not treat diagnosed trauma. If you have been diagnosed with trauma or believe you need treatment, please seek the care of an appropriate licensed healthcare professional.

Question 5

What will we work on?

Accepted Answer

Even though I focus on life coaching, I have both health (nutrition, exercise, sleep, etc.) and life coach certifications through the Health Coach Institute. This helps you achieve your goals in any area of your life for long-lasting change.
 
A life coach typically focuses on helping people step into their boldest, most empowered version of themselves in any domain of life – relationships, career, money, and physical, mental and emotional health.
 
When you decide to work with a life coach, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you get unstuck and start changing your life in ways that you may have never imagined. You’ll start to understand how your body, brain, heart, and mind work and why you’re doing what you do without beating yourself up, which inhibits change. You’ll discover your true potential and notice amazing results. It can completely transform your life.

Question 6

What should I expect when we work together?

Accepted Answer

You’ll be surprised at the clarity, insight and help you can get from working through any challenges during a session that block you from achieving your goals and life’s aspirations. I provide both 1:1 private coaching sessions and group coaching, depending on your preference. Group coaching can be very beneficial because it helps you broaden your perspective on issues and how to solve them. 
 
Each coaching session is typically 60 minutes in length. We will develop a plan of action tailored to your specific needs. With your permission, I may use additional techniques during a session, such as mindfulness meditation, breathwork, movement, sound, somatic healing practices, and gentle energy and light touch self-care modalities from the eastern healing traditions. These help to clear blocks, obtain clarity, and achieve your goals.

Question 7

What will success look like for me?

Accepted Answer

This will be different for each person. When we work together, we will set measurable goals and work toward reaching them.

Question 8

How long do we work together?

Accepted Answer

Based on our initial meeting and your needs and desires, we’ll discuss what’s best for you. While therapy is long-term treatment, coaching is based on what you’re doing and your progress toward achieving a goal. It may also depend on how many goals you would like to work on.

Question 9

Do you guarantee results?

Accepted Answer

No, there are no guarantees or warranties. In addition, coaching should not be construed as medical or nursing advice and treatment, nutritional counseling from a licensed/registered professional, psychotherapy, or a replacement for psychotherapy. However, I will provide you with tools, techniques, and strategies to succeed in making long-term changes to meet your goals. The results are up to you. Show up, get coached, be open to learning new perspectives, and you can get results you never even expected.

Question 10

Can I reschedule my session?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stuff happens. You could be sick, go on a planned vacation, or have an emergency. Please let me know in advance if you have planned time off or a vacation. Text me if you are sick. You receive 1 (one) emergency cancellation, which means you can cancel in less than 24 hours. All other canceled sessions will be forfeited with less than a 24-hour notice. You have 30 days from the agreed upon program end date within which to finish the program.

Question 11

Is there a refund policy?

Accepted Answer

No. Once you commit and pay, your time is blocked in my calendar, and it’s designated for you. You have the right to withdraw at any time. However, in the event of your absence or withdrawal for any reason, you will remain fully responsible for the program fee and any unpaid balance. This refund policy also exists for your benefit, as coaching is a powerful process and at times, you may feel “up against a wall” or as if something isn’t working. Feeling uncomfortable is often a sign that you are releasing obstacles and limiting beliefs. My request is that coaching concerns be addressed directly with me, so I can be the best coach and mentor to you and ensure the coaching relationship remains in integrity.

Question 12

How do I pay you?

Accepted Answer

You can pay by Venmo, Zelle, or check. I do not accept PayPal.

Question 13

How can I get help in between sessions?

Accepted Answer

Emergencies come up, right? That’s why you have access to me via text between sessions on business days from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. My goal is to get back to you within 24 hours or on the next business day, if after business hours.

FAQs