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Below I have listed some frequently asked questions. If your question is not addressed below, please feel free to contact me. How do I know if I need coaching or therapy? A general rule of thumb is that if your emotional reactions or feelings are getting in the way of your success and life satisfaction, you may benefit from therapy rather than coaching. Give me a call and we can discuss whether my services are a good match for you. If not, I will do my best to provide you with referrals. How is coaching different from psychotherapy? Coaching is NOT psychotherapy. Psychotherapy focuses on treating diagnosable psychological disorders. Because of the vulnerability of individuals who come to psychotherapy, this is a special relationship in the eyes of the law, with specific rules and protections. Psychotherapy is about healing, while coaching is about facilitating your growth from a place of health. Coaching assumes that you are emotionally healthy and able to participate equally in creating the future you desire. Please note that if you are a current psychotherapy client, we cannot start a coaching relationship and vice versa. My doctor suggested I talk with a therapist. Does he think I am crazy? Most of the clients seen by psychologists are every day people who have encountered some problem in their lives and want to become more effective in dealing with their difficulty. A few of the common issues for which I see clients in psychotherapy include:
If your doctor has referred you to a psychologist, it is typically because he or she thinks if you talk to someone who is trained to listen and facilitate change, you might be able to get your life on track more easily. What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? Psychiatrists are physicians that specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. They have completed an undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, and a four-year residency in psychiatry. As M.D.'s, they are able to prescribe medication and admit people to the hospital if necessary. A few psychiatrists are also trained to do some counseling and psychological testing. Psychologists attend graduate school after college. Most spend about five years doing graduate coursework and supervised clinical training. Before getting a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and becoming licensed, they also complete two additional years of full-time supervised clinical training. Psychologists are typically trained in a wide range of counseling techniques and are proficient with a variety of psychological tests (e.g., IQ and personality tests). In most states, psychologists do not prescribe medications. It is not unusual for psychiatrists and psychologists to work together. If I am seeing you for psychotherapy and we determine that you may benefit from an evaluation for medication, I will usually refer you to a psychiatrist for a consultation. I will then help monitor your response to any psychiatric medication and typically provide feedback to your psychiatrist, so that your medication can be adjusted more accurately. What is your approach as a therapist? My clinical training was psychodynamic and over the years I have incorporated cognitive behavioral strategies and positive psychology approaches into my treatment. I incorporate tools from different approaches to teach you new strategies to use to help alleviate your discomfort and empower you to regain a sense of satisfaction in your life. I encourage my clients to be proactive in their treatment with me. What is your approach as a coach? My approach with my coaching clients is dynamic and collaborative. We spend time exploring your thoughts, goals and aspirations in order to create a plan, specific to what you want to achieve. We set up weekly “action steps” to help guide you toward the realization of your personal goals and dreams and then review your progress and discuss any stumbling blocks in follow up calls. What are your hours? I divide my time between my coaching and psychotherapy practices. Most of my coaching sessions are conducted over the telephone. Typically my therapy days are Mondays and Thursdays between the hours of 10 and 5. However, I would be happy to discuss other options with you. How much do you charge for your services? My psychotherapy fee is $120 per hour for individuals and $125 for couples. Additionally, I accept some behavioral health care insurance. Please check with your provider to determine whether I am on your panel or if you can see me as an Out of Network Provider. If you have health insurance, there may be a different rate negotiated on your behalf for my clinical services. With insurance, you will typically have a copay each session and be responsible for any deductible. If you are paying me privately, I would be happy to discuss payment arrangements. My coaching fees are dependent on the number of sessions you schedule per month and whether these sessions are face to face or conducted over the telephone. In general, the fees for individual coaching range from $75 to $100 per hour. Coaching services are not covered by insurance. What Is Coaching? Coaching is an action-oriented process that is focused on achieving results. The coaching relationship is dynamic—we work together to come up with solutions in order for you to reach your dreams. You, as the client, identify your goals and aspirations and, I, as your coach, provide a collaborative environment in which to move you toward the realization of your goals. As your coach I encourage you, provide support and, at all times, hold your best interests and dreams in mind. Coaching is about changing old behaviors, engaging in a new way of problem-solving, learning new strategies and making conscious decisions to move forward toward a more fulfilling life. How Is Coaching Different From Therapy and Consulting? Coaching is not psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is based on a medical model of diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and is a health care service. Psychotherapy usually focuses on resolving or alleviating symptoms of illness or trauma, understanding the underlying personality dynamics, and helping patients to cope with their psychological problems. Coaching focuses on enhancing one’s personal achievement and fulfillment stemming from a place of emotional health. It is an alliance between the coach and client. The client is viewed as naturally creative, resourceful and whole. The client sets the agenda and the coaching success depends on the client’s willingness to try new approaches. The coach asks questions to elicit responses which enhance the client’s personal development and move the client toward action and achievement of the goals. Why Hire A Coach? There are many reasons a person may seek coaching. You may feel stuck or trapped in your current career or situation. You may know what you want to achieve but are unsure as to how to begin the process. You have a desire to move forward or improve an area of their life that is no longer satisfying. You need some support and encouragement to help you begin the exploration process which leads to taking a step into action, and ultimately, to greater personal fulfillment. Now that you have some of your questions answered regarding coaching, please go to Coaching Services to learn about the variety of services available. Where is your office located? • 11124 Wurzbach Road, Suite 204 in the Oakridge Square office building. • 4538 Centerview Dr., Suite 146, in the Centerview Bldg. |
