Frequently Asked Questions
What areas do you serve, and where does your coaching take place?
There are two options. First, I offer Zoom consultations. These are available wherever your local regulations allow, so we will need to confirm that first. Just shoot me an email with "Zoom Consult Request" in the subject line and the location from which you will be videoconferencing, and I will confirm availability. Second, I am also available to anyone who can travel to the central Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Where we meet will depend on what is convenient for you (and the time of year), and what we will be focusing on. My first choice for individual coaching is always to conduct sessions outside and "walk while we talk," and so I have a number of favorite places nearby (wooded paths, quiet country roads, etc.) that have been good for this. However, I can also meet people at their home if that is more comfortable for them - we will just need a quiet space where we won't be interrupted.
How long have you been coaching and teaching?
I have been coaching and teaching Integral Lifework since 2004. Before that, I was engaged in mentoring, teaching, alternative healing arts, and health advocacy for many years.
How long is each session, what do you charge, and what forms of payment can you take?
Sessions usually run about an hour, sometimes longer. The cost is $78 per session for individual coaching. I can receive various forms of payment (see the payment page for PayPal and credit card options), but not medical insurance. Upon request I am able to discount my rates on a sliding scale based on income, you will just need to provide income or unemployment verification.
How many sessions will it take to reach my goals…?
That depends on two things: how many dimensions of being may currently be undernourished (you should take the Nourishment Assessment first to help determine this), and how quickly you want to learn and apply new self-care tools and techniques and dissolve barriers may be interrupting targeted nourishment. Many of my clients will have enough to move forward on their own after just three or four sessions. They may then check back with me later (sometimes months or even years later!) to work on a new area, again for just a short period of time. The largest number of consecutive weekly or biweekly sessions I have ever experienced with the same individual was eight, and although everyone's needs are unique, in general more than six consecutive sessions is unusual.
Will there be homework?
Yes! Sometimes we will even wait for homework to be completed before making the next appointment. :-)
What do you mean by "spiritually centered" life coaching?
Having studied and practiced techniques from a wide variety of spiritual traditions, as well as experiencing many different faith communities firsthand, I am comfortable working with pretty much anyone who considers themselves a "spiritual" person. What I have found in my coaching, teaching, and practice is that there does need to be openness and attention to the spiritual dimension of being - what I call "Spiritual Ground" - in order for progress to occur when integrating and harmonizing the thirteen dimensions in Integral Lifework. This Spiritual Ground is really the most fundamental dimension for all ongoing harmony, the "anchor" if you will for all other aspects of self. I respect and honor different walks of life and all forms of spiritual practice, so I am happy to try to meet people wherever they are in their journey. For someone who doesn't consider themselves spiritual at all, as long as they are open to learning more about their spiritual self, and practicing techniques that nourish their Spiritual Ground, I am happy to work with them as well.
What is the difference between life coaching and psychotherapy, or between wellness coaching and mainstream medicine?
Psychotherapists and medical doctors are regulated professions that require licensure, are extensively regulated, and are often concerned with critical interventions involving acute or chronic mental and physical distress or illness. Integral Lifework coaching, on the other hand, is more about improving multidimensional well-being at a point in life when such medical and psychological intervention is not required. More information about these differences is also disclosed in the Coaching Agreement.
How do I know if I need a psychotherapist instead of a coach?
If you are experiencing extreme and persistent emotional distress, are feeling overwhelmed by your emotions and out-of-control, or are having suicidal or violent thoughts that you are worried you might act upon, then you should seek out immediate medical/psychological help from a licensed physician or therapist. If you are instead hoping to develop beneficial skills and insight through training and self-examination, then Integral Lifework coaching might just be the thing at this point in your life.
What is the difference between Integral Lifework coaching and other kinds of coaching?
Integral Lifework is a unique approach developed by me over many years. It is unlike any other kind of coaching available, involving many more dimensions of being than conventional coaching usually addresses, and using a wide variety of techniques that are customized to each person. There is not a “one size fits all” solution, because every person has their own strengths and experiences life in their own way. It is also more collaborative than some coaching techniques, in that you as the client will remain in the driver's seat - my role is just to facilitate and support the process. A core principle of Integral Lifework is that everyone has a wealth of inner power, transcendent knowledge, and transformative ability just waiting to spring forth. All anyone requires to access this amazing self are openness, compassion, and some carefully selected, individualized tools and techniques. When we allow this empowering impulse within to guide us, we can achieve the miraculous in ourselves and in the world around us.
What kinds of barriers to wholeness can you help people work through?
Each person may have unique obstacles to self-nurturing that can interrupt nourishment to one or more dimensions. This may be due to a lack of awareness about those dimensions, or maybe just not having the tools or the routine practice to confidently address what is unfamiliar territory. And because everyone is unique, there are many different ways to approach and resolve personal barriers. Sometimes we can get at them with spiritual practices, sometimes with new physical routines, sometimes it just requires thinking about how we think in a new way. Sometimes it has more to do with managing or directing interior energies that are already there. Sometimes it will be a combination of all of these things! Discovering most effective ways to dissolve barriers can be one of the most interesting and exciting parts of this journey.
Do you have any preferences or conditions for your clients or your practice?
Willingness, openness, and cell phones turned off. :-)
I’m a wellness/coaching professional, and would like to better understand Integral Lifework. What resources are available?
I do teach group classes on the principles and practices of Integral Lifework, as well as consulting and training one-on-one, so please let me know if you are interested by emailing me. Also please check out the Resources pages, as there is a lot of great information available that goes into great detail about theory and approaches. To really understand how it works, however, it is always ideal to experience Integral Lifework coaching as a client.
Have other questions?
Feel free to call me at 413-242-4410, or email me at [email protected], if you have any additional questions. Thank you for your interest!