Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coaching?
Coaching involves a partnership between a client and a coach which helps the client to identify needs, set goals, and develop strategies to achieve these goals. This partnership is highly respectful of the client’s ability to creatively problem solve. Through accurate listening, thought provoking questions, and skilled feedback, a coach can help clients to have greater clarity about what they want to achieve, and confidence in the action plans they design to meet their goals. Responsibility and accountability are vitally important to the coaching partnership and to the success that the client can achieve.
With regard to organ transplantation, we will
talk about the challenges you face and what you would like to achieve. I will ask you questions to help you to clarify your most important goals. Examples of questions may involve the quality of your life and how it can be improved, your medical team and what information you need about your transplant, the important decisions you face, your medical regimen and how you are sticking with it, and your dreams for yourself. As you begin to identify the important needs you have, we will work on developing goals and action plans. At the end of each session, we will review what was meaningful to you and select action steps to work on before our next session.
How is Coaching different from Psychotherapy?
Coaching focuses on needs, goals and action steps to achieve that which is important to you. The work is done as a partnership and oriented mostly in the present. Changes that you make can enhance the quality of your present and future. It is action oriented and less likely to deal with past pain.
Psychotherapy aids people who are in distress from wounds and traumas that occurred in the past or continue in the present. Typically, the individual has a psychiatric diagnosis and is in need of treatment to heal the accompanying psychological pain.
In coaching, clients are made aware of this important distinction. If psychological or psychiatric treatment is needed, the coach will gladly help in finding a psychologist or psychiatrist. Once in treatment, the client may be able to continue with coaching. For clients facing organ transplantation, it is not unusual to mourn for your past health or worry about your present and future health. This is not necessarily the same as a psychiatric disorder that is commonly treated with medication and/or psychotherapy. A coach respects that some worry is normal, encourages confidence that you can improve the quality of your life, inspires you to see your strong healthy parts, and empowers you to take an active role in defining your present and future.
Where do you and clients meet?
Though I very much enjoy meeting clients face-to-face, and this may be an option, I tend to use the telephone for coaching sessions. This allows me to be available to clients throughout the
How long are coaching sessions and how often do you meet with clients?
My sessions with clients are one hour long and we meet two to four times per month. How often depends on the client’s needs. Clients also have the opportunity to check in with me via e-mail between sessions.
How do I get started?
I offer prospective clients the opportunity to meet with me at no charge for a 30-minute telephone session. This will allow you to decide whether coaching with me is right for you. Complete the Contact Information form or phone me at 310-904-9980. I will get back to you to set up an appointment.
I look forward to working with you.