Coaching

The International Coaching Federation (2022) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership."

To me, coaching is a collaborative relationship - we will creatively and meaningfully work together as thought partners to move you towards your next step or goal, and to ensure that your life is optimally aligned with your values and energy. 

Are you new to coaching or want a little more information on what it looks like? Check out the ICF's Experience Coaching site.

My coaching philosophy is grounded on the idea that each client is "naturally creative, resourceful, and whole" (Co-Active Training Institute). As your coach, I support you in minimizing the noise and getting in touch with your values and your intuition. 

At the beginning of each session, we'll set an agenda - essentially, where you are now and where you would like to be at the end of the session. We will then work together, leveraging powerful questions, coaching tools, mindfulness prompts, and more. After the bulk of our discussion, we'll determine how you feel about the ending point, what steps you plan to take next, and how you would like to hold yourself accountable for taking those steps. 

Here's an example:

Let's say that, at the beginning of our first session, you share that you feel like your schedule is too back-to-back and that you don't have any time to take breaks. By the end of the session, you hope to have a handful of action steps to feel more in control and a little more space. We leverage some questions and tools, and you realize that you want to feel more fully present in individual activities. As your action steps, you decide to block off a 10-minute break every day at 2 p.m. for the next week, and to step away from your desk to eat lunch in a different room (you're working remotely). 

Many topics are coachable, like optimizing productivity, creating more effective schedule boundaries, developing or enhancing leadership skills, fostering and growing a mindfulness practice, and so much more. 

Are you thinking about a transition, career change, or wanting to optimize your life and work alignment? My Designing Your Life coaching packages might be most valuable for you. 

Coaching is differentiated from counseling/therapy, mentoring, advising, and consulting. Generally, coaching focuses on the present and taking steps toward a goal or future, while counseling/therapy focuses on understanding the past and learning self-management of emotions (International Coaching Federation, 2022b). 

Coaching might be a good fit for you if:

• You feel like something isn't working, or you're stuck in some way
• You've taken classes or read books in an area (like leadership development, mindfulness, etc.), and want support around implementing those learnings
• You are considering a career change (check out my Designing Your Life coaching)
• You are seeking accountability, and an unbiased source of support who can help you think your way forward

My current practice mainly supports higher education staff, students, and faculty. I am particularly interested in supporting first generation students, doctoral students who are interested in careers outside of traditional academic roles, introverts, and individuals who identify as a Highly Sensitive Person. 

The first time I looked into hiring a coach, I was not ready for the price tag. I didn't have an extra few thousand dollars to invest. I want to make coaching more accessible. 

Payment plans are available upon request. 

As of July 2022, I have completed 178 hours of coach training through Dr. Katie Linder’s Higher Ed Coaches Training, the Mindfulness Coaching School, Designing Your Life, and Gallup. I intentionally pursued learning opportunities through multiple programs to best serve clients like you. (And, learner and achiever are in my Top 5 CliftonStrengths, so I am always focused on credentials and learning!) I've also completed an additional 60 hours of asynchronous training as part of that coursework. 

My coach training and practice has covered topics such as: logistical and ethical elements of coaching, building trust with clients, deepening the client experience, coaching leaders to create a positive and equitable culture, group coaching, exploring somatic awareness and mindfulness via coaching, and designing a transformative group coaching experience by creating connection and an inclusive learning environment. My training with Gallup focused on the CliftonStrengths assessment, and my training with Designing Your Life delved deep into the Designing Your Life tools and methodology. 

Many clients I work with appreciate this diverse blend of knowledge and experience. To date, I have engaged in more than 100 coaching hours in individual and group coaching sessions with clients including early career professionals, higher education staff, higher education faculty, nonprofit professionals, new managers, and professionals in other fields.

I expect to achieve the International Coaching Federation’s Associate Certified Coach Credential soon.