What is Life Coaching?
Life Coaching is an ongoing professional relationship in which the
clients identify specific goals they wish to work on, and
collaborate with the Life Coach in order to achieve those goals. It
is a partnership which helps people produce extraordinary results
in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations. Through the
process of coaching, clients take action to deepen their learning,
improve their leadership and performance, and enhance their quality of
life. If you decide that Life Coaching is right for you,
expect your mindset to change for the better, your
relationships to improve, your energy levels to go up, and
prosperity to come your way.
What is the difference between Life Coaching and counseling?
Life Coaching differs from mental health counseling in
that those who seek counseling are hoping to process
through issues that have affected them in their past or present,
while individuals who participate in Life Coaching are future
oriented; they have already worked through these
issues, and are ready to move forward to the next phase in
reclaiming their lives. Life Coaching should not be used in place of
counseling or therapy. Continue reading to see if therapy is
the right choice for you at this time.
Is therapy right for me?
Seeking out therapy is an individual choice. There are many reasons why
people come to therapy. Sometimes it is to deal with long-standing
psychological issues, or problems with anxiety or depression. Other times
it is in response to unexpected changes in one's life such as a divorce or
work transition. Many seek guidance as they pursue their own personal
exploration and growth. Working with a counselor can help provide
insight, support, and new strategies for all types of life
challenges. Therapy is right for anyone who is interested in getting
the most out of their life by taking responsibility, creating greater
self-awareness, and working towards change in their lives.
How can therapy help me?
A number of benefits are available from participating in counseling.
Therapists can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced
coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship
troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body
image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors
can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal
relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily
life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or
point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from
therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what
you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications and listening skills
- Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What is therapy like?
Every therapy session is unique and caters to each individual and their
specific goals. It is standard for therapists to discuss the primary
issues and concerns in your life during therapy sessions. It is common to
schedule a series of weekly sessions, where each session lasts around
fifty minutes. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or
longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth.
There may be times when you are asked to take certain actions outside of
the therapy sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records
to track certain behaviors (we call this homework!). It is important
to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life
between sessions. For therapy to be most effective you must be an active
participant, both during and between the sessions. People seeking
counseling are willing to take responsibility for their actions, work
towards self-change and create greater awareness in their lives. Here are
some things you can expect out of therapy:
- Compassion, respect and understanding
- Perspectives to illuminate persistent patterns and negative feelings
- Real strategies for enacting positive change
- Effective and proven techniques along with practical guidance
Is medication a substitute for therapy?
In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course
of action. You may work with your primary care physician or psychiatrist
to determine what's best for you. It is well established that the
long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they
cause cannot be solved solely by medication. Instead of just treating the
symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior
patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth
and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to
wellness.
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Yes, we do accept most insurance providers. To determine if you have
mental health coverage, the first thing you should do is check with your
insurance carrier. Please refer to our
Rates & Insurance
section to help navigate through this process.
Is therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications
between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without
prior written permission from the client.
However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is obligated to notify the police.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.