Do I need a counselor or do I need a Life coach?

I find the difference between the two is rarely easy to discern, particularly if the practitioner is concerned with the whole health of a client believing that it is the only effective way to create a path to lasting change. There are other types of coaches who focus on highly specialized skills or areas of human talent, for example corporate or executive coaches, and they are less likely to offer counseling.

What is the difference between Life coaching and counseling?

The two are similar and often overlap as both include the opportunity for guidance, however the primary difference is that counseling often focuses on resolving painful past issues that are still bringing harm to the person in the present and on working through trials that the person is currently experiencing.

The general focus of Life coaching is to use the present to refine or establish the person’s vision for the future and to define the goals that move the person forward toward his vision, then to offer motivation and accountability to the person as he attempts to reach the goals he has set.

Still, the past influences the present in varying degrees at different junctures in a person’s life and I find that my clients often need to spend some time in cleansing the past before they are ready for coaching alone, or that we need to spend time on an issue that appears as an obstacle to coaching success as part of the process to create positive change.

Do you ever travel to a client?

Yes.  I travel across town and occasionally across states to meet with certain clients.  Of course, there are additional expenses when I travel.

Do you offer distance coaching?

Under certain circumstances I will coach a client from a distance. The sessions are conducted by phone.

I don’t think I need a Life coach but I know someone who does; will you see this person?

To this date, I have not refused to see anyone who was willing to come.

Yet sometimes a person is simply not in agreement that he or she needs assistance and will not come, or will come with the idea of pacifying another rather than with an honest desire for help.

Often however, a person will not come or will come only once due to various concerns such as not having dependable transportation or funding.  Someone in this situation or a similar circumstance, may be faithful to sessions if aware that he or she has a sponsor.  I will certainly work with a sponsored client as I do with all my clients.

A sponsor is a person willing to help another by providing funding, transportation, or a similar practical need to enable the person to receive help.  A sponsor is sometimes a necessary and valuable part of the process.

If this is something you are considering doing in the hope of aiding a fellow human being or loved one, please remember that though you may provide every avenue of assistance known to you- a person must make his or her own journey.

As each person will ultimately accept or refuse the grace of God in this life, each person will choose to accept or refuse the various means of human assistance extended.  All that is in your power is to offer.

Is coaching expensive?

Coaching in this context is a relatively new profession, or if you like a new twist on an old one. It began around 1980 and is continually being defined. With a bit of research you will find that the fee for a coach’s time varies considerably according to the type of coaching, location, and the type of practice.

It is not usually as expensive as most healthcare, yet it is designed to be preventative maintenance healthcare in that when a person learns to live purposefully and to create positive change in his life, he tends toward a stronger immune system, greater health, and a higher quality of life.

While I can not afford to work without material compensation, cost may be adjusted based on circumstance and need.  Please don’t allow potential expense to stop you from seeking assistance.  I discuss financial options with a potential client during our first session and that session is always complimentary.

Do you offer couples, family or group coaching?

I am pleased to work with couples on establishing effective communication and interpersonal skills within their relationship, and on healing hurts and restoring intimacy.

In certain situations individual counseling is not as effective until you invite family members into a session, or until you add counseling in a group setting to address specific issues. I often include others in a session and/or refer a client to group counseling.

I offer my services to families with a need to work together to accomplish specific tasks. Group coaching can be exactly what is needed to enable people to work together efficiently and effectively. Group coaching can also add an element of fun to the journey the team is making together!

Why are your office hours “by appointment only?”

I work from an office in my home and I work in addition to caring for my family. I purposefully maintain a small practice and remain flexible so that I am able to offer an effective level of attention to each person in my care.

Do you offer psychological or psychiatric testing and evaluation?

No.  If a client is in need of full scale psychological or psychiatric testing and evaluation, I refer the person to a competent, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, one who also professes Christianity.

I do offer limited evaluation and testing as a means of identifying the need for a full scale investigation.

Do you prescribe psychiatric medications?

No.  While I am able to offer counsel concerning medication, if a client appears to be in need of pharmaceutical aid, I refer the person to an appropriately qualified medical professional.

How long will it take?

The answer to this question is completely dependent on the nature of your need. How will you use your time with me? Will we focus on counseling or coaching issues, or both? How much encouragement and education will you need to work through a current crisis, to renegotiate a painful past, to heal and to form new habits, to define, establish, and reach your goals?

The simple truth is:  I don’t know. However, I can assure you that I am not one to waste time- yours or mine.

Call (901) 468-6053 to schedule an appointment.