I need one-on-one help. Will we be doing counseling or coaching?

The great bonus of my combined education and experience is that you get the best of both worlds.

I bring so many philosophies, tools, functions and theoretical frameworks to the table, all your bases get covered.

Once we have a good understanding of your situation, goals and needs, we’ll decide which methods work best for you.

If we decide to focus on emotional and psychological healing using well-tested theories and techniques, we’ll do counseling.

If focusing on goals and actions will benefit you in making better life decisions, we’ll do coaching.

For example, let’s say you wanted to learn to drive a car.  If you hire me as your:

Therapist, I will help you find out what holds you back from effectively driving the car.  We would delve into your past to discover what kinds of experience you have had with automobiles.

Coach, I will seat you in the car, sit next to you in the passenger seat, and encourage, endorse, acknowledge and support you until you feel comfortable enough to go it alone.

Consultant, I will bring you an owner’s manual and design a brief program to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the workings of a car.  I will then leave you to it.  We’ll talk again, within three to six months, to see how you have managed the actual driving part.

Advisor, I will suggest the best routes and strategies for where you want to take our amazing car. We’ll find the best avenues roads and then decide when it is time to speed up or to find rockstar parking!

Depending on your needs, we will focus on one discipline or do them all at once!

I’ve been researching coaches and counselors and you seem…well…different.

What can I expect when we talk?

My approach is much more direct than most counselors, and even coaches.

In my experience, a lot of helpers offer passive support. They tend to focus on what’s wrong and to proceed slowly. That is just not me! I offer meaningful messages with plenty of attitude and you get to choose the pace.

Working with me is like visiting one of those old-fashioned hardware stores stuffed to the rafters with just the tools you need. I steer you in the right direction, show you how to use the tools and then encourage you to get the job done!

And, I expect a lot of you. I give compassionate encouragement and honest appraisals, but the freedom and choice for change lies with you. I support you to take what you learn and live it!

These are crazy times, can we work virtually?

Yes!

In fact, if you travel a lot, live far from me, or simply don’t want to hassle with traffic, I will be happy to work with you via phone, Zoom or FaceTime and Facebook Messenger.

What about insurance?

I do not take insurance. However, if your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Human Resources department, or health insurance benefits cover ‘out of network provider’ services, you may qualify for reimbursement.

Also, check with your accountant about taking coaching or professional development services as a tax deduction.

I will be happy to provide the receipts necessary for these purposes.

Emergencies & Suicide

If you need emergency help, contact your nearest hospital emergency room.

If you feel like you might harm yourself, do one or all of the following right now:

• Call 1-800-SUICIDE in the U.S. (1-800-784-2433)
• Visit The Samaritans at www.samaritans.org. They offer compassionate, anonymous help online
• Teenagers, call Covenant House NineLine, 1-800-999-9999
• Find your local crisis hotline at Mentalhealth.gov
• Go to your nearest emergency room for assistance
• Talk to someone you can trust to just listen
• Click on this page for honest, helpful support and information. [links to metanoia.org/suicide]

Personality Disorders & Addiction

Please check with your local mental health association for referrals:

if you have been diagnosed with dissociative disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attachment disorder or borderline personality disorder.

If you are dealing with addiction, I will not see you while you are actively using. I’d be honored to supplement your 12-step, or other recovery program, once you have been clean at least 3 months before we start working together.

If you have a history of pedophilia, child endangerment, violent crime, or elder abuse, God bless you for seeking help. Please contact your local mental health association for referrals.