Coaching
Life
To Target the Big 5 "Life Questions":
​When clients share their goals with me, I find they tend to fall into 5 core coaching areas, regardless of whether folks are local (Pittsburgh, PA — whoot, whoot!), spread across the U.S., or live in another country. These core areas likely reflect some questions and desires that you currently have within your own personal life and work domains:
How the heck do I:
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... achieve an important goal or dream — or start to explore my own deeper wants, needs, and purpose ?
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... stop feeling stagnant, stuck or consistently frustrated, overwhelmed, or exhausted ?
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... improve my relationships, including being kinder to myself (and maybe even learning to love myself!) ?
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... handle conflict, have hard conversations, and set boundaries — all in respectful and effective ways ?
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... feel good, balanced, confident, and more authentically myself — finding that solid place inside of myself ?
To Include the 2 "Missing Pieces" for Real Transformation:
Through my own personal development, client work, and conversations with fellow development professionals and top experts, I’ve come to see that true transformation requires us to include paying attention to our bodily experiences and the quality of our relationships (with ourselves, others, and life itself) within the coaching process. This is because, as humans, each of us is wired neuro-biologically, mentally/psychologically, and socially within a whole system that works together — we're not isolated, thinking minds solely built to perform, and we can't just will transformation.
So when we consistently ignore these two essential aspects and rely only on mental effort to push ourselves to act or change, we limit our life potential. We might appear productive, positive, or healthy — but those results are often partial, unsustainable, or even inauthentic. But by reconnecting with our bodies and embracing our relational nature, we can access the deeper sources of our authenticity, inner wisdom, power, and resilience. It’s from this deeper place that growth, real change, and optimal outcomes become not only possible — but inevitable. Yet despite their importance, overlooking relationality (internal and external) and body attunement remains the unfortunate, widespread norm, even within the helping fields, including a therapy approach that omits either of these aspects.
"relational-somatic coaching" !
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This is why I provide
By integrating relational connection and body attunement, this coaching approach helps us gain the things we humans most deeply yearn for — but often struggle to fully attain. This has proven to be one of the deepest and most fulfilling forms of personal development we can invest in in order to genuinely create the lives we want.
TWO HUGE ADVANTAGES
WHY CHOOSE coaching?
My coaching approach
HOW I USE RELATIONAL-SOMATICS
Whether your goals are personal, professional, or a mix of both, I have an overall approach that guides my work with clients. Since approaches widely vary among coaches (and all helping professionals, including therapists), learn more about mine, below:
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The Relational-Somatic Approach
I weave these two aspects into the coaching process - to create the essential conditions for making real change.
RELATIONAL
(connecting to oneself, others & life itself)
This aspect includes the connection "between us" and exploring the relational habits and patterns "within yourself", as applied to both life and work.
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Between Us: As a coach, I’ll guide how we relate to each other, through creating a supportive, non-judgemental space to be yourself and by encouraging your autonomy, experimentation, and growth. I’ll also role model new, healthy, and productive ways to relate — to yourself and others.
Within Yourself: We’ll explore your view of “who you are” and how you view others and life — views we all form as a natural internal process. We’ll work with "parts" of yourself to: (a) increase access to your authentic and best Self, (b) identify, help, and transform the parts of you that get stuck in unhelpful habits and painful emotions, and (c) develop relevant emotional intelligence (EQ) skills.
SOMATIC
(attuning to one's inner/bodily experiences)
Somatic coaching guides you to tune into how your body communicates your needs, true desires, and inner wisdom, as we explore your goals. We create the right conditions and pace to include moments of you paying attention to what’s happening in your body — such as sensations, emotions, defensive nervous system reactions, or shifts in your posture or tone of voice.
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Bringing this awareness to both moments of difficulty (e.g., stress, discomfort, threat) and ease (e.g., safety, connection, joy, authenticity) creates insights into your strengths, the barriers you face, and what you need to move forward.
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The aim is twofold: to grow your capacity to meet challenges more effectively and with ease and to fully take in the good — so you can feel more fulfilled and truly at home within yourself.
CORE MODALITIES I USE*
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The Polyvagal Theory (PVT)
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Somatic Experiencing (SE)
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Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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The Enneagram & DiSC personality models**
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Emotional Intelligence Quotient skills (EQ)
(We'll use the modalities that resonate with you.)
TM
The nervous system & trauma
ADDRESSING DYSREGULATION
ORIGIN OF THE WORD "TRAUMA"
The word trauma originates from the Greek word for "wound." Entering the English language in the 17th century, it focused on physical injury. In the late 19th century, amid war, industrial accidents, and the treatment of mental illness, it expanded to include emotional and physiological disruption when overwhelming events were not fully processed (i.e., not fully felt, understood, or filed away as being over).
CONTEMPORARY TRAUMA DEFINITION
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"Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside of you as a result of what happened to you.” - DR. GABOR MATE
Trauma forms our coping responses due to not having sufficient support to handle an overwhelming event. It disconnects us from the present moment (such as our deepest emotions) and it forms new beliefs and habits to maintain that very disconnection and to keep us "safe".
TRAUMA & THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the brain and spinal cord’s communication network that controls involuntary functions. It detects safety or danger and drives our "survival responses" — fight, flight, freeze, or fawn — through automatic mobilization (i.e., action) or shutdown (e.g., slowed digestion/organ function, low energy, unclear thinking, reduced empathy). Trauma is ANS dysregulation, where the body gets "stuck" in survival mode under stress — or as an ongoing way of life.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA
Trauma leads to many limiting functional patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving and can result in negative life outcomes across domains, such as:
one's sense of self
spiritual connection & inner
knowing
emotional regulation
stress & coping
strategies /
cognition & memory
behaviors
work
relationships
physical & mental health
& more
Since some people seeking coaching also want help resolving their personal trauma, I've included some information on defining trauma, its impact, and how coaching can help.
How I use trauma-informed coaching
Trauma-informed coaching focuses on strengthening your internal and external resources. We develop your ability to increase your connection with yourself and others and to attune to what’s needed in the present moment — so feeling safe and empowered can become your new way of life.
Unresolved trauma is often the foundational barrier to the changes we want.
A QUICK SHOUT OUT!
To a Few Professions
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1) What Is Your Current Availability and Business Hours?Availability for New Clients: If you're reading this message, I likely have an open (or soon-to-be open) time slot. So, please feel free to reach out to me with a quick question via email or to book a complimentary Discovery Call with me — I would love to hear from you! Business Hours: I work with clients Monday-Friday from 9am ET to 6pm ET. I reserve only a couple of weekly slots outside of that time frame, but please feel free to inquire.
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2) Do You Offer In-Person, Virtual, and Phone Sessions?Yes, but phone sessions only in a pinch. Local in-person sessions: For those interested in in-person sessions, I get acquainted with folks virtually for a few initial sessions, and I do schedule in-person sessions a few days a week at my Pittsburgh, PA office. Virtual sessions: I work with people across the US and abroad, and my own coach is abroad! Although it is really great to work in person, sometimes one's travel time, time constraints, a low energy level, or even being in the comfort of your own home can actually make virtual sessions a better option that also yield the same (or nearly the same) benefits. We practitioners were surprised to have learned this from the pandemic, but we indeed experienced that the benefit is still there! That's the power of true connection. Phone sessions: These sessions are good if we run into a pinch, but I really find being attuned to the whole person, including my being able to see bodily expressions and movement, is a key component in my approach to coaching.
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3) What Is Your Price for Coaching?I have a dual coaching practice that splits my time between providing the following two types of coaching. These are different services with a different focus and price point. Life Coaching (with or without a trauma-resolution/Somatic Experiencing focus) For a standard 55-minute session, my rate is $200. For information on sessions involving couples and other small groups, please go to my "Group Work" section, HERE. Executive/Leadership Coaching Pricing varies, taking into account the additional, specialized components of executive coaching, your specific goals, and other considerations (such as your organization's eligibility for discounts due to investing in multiple programs or if you're in the non-profit or government sector, etc.). I'd be happy to discuss these details with you! For more information, please refer to my previous section: A Quick Shout Out - For Business Owners and Leaders, HERE.
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4) Does Mental Health Insurance Cover Coaching?Coaches are not licensed mental health providers for any kind of "treatment" for mental or physical health problems in the US medical system. Unfortunately, I have personally never come across an insurance company that has covered coaching even when goals relate to improving one's health and well-being. Nevertheless, it might be helpful to contact your insurance or other benefit company to explore your current coverage criteria or flexible spending account parameters (as I would be happy to provide formal documentation/receipts if useful to you). For more information about how coaching is different than mental health treatment, please see my previous section: How I Use Trauma-Informed Coaching, HERE.
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5) Do You Have Any Reduced Rates For Trauma-Resolution-Oriented Coaching?I reserve a limited number of reduced-rate slots specifically for coaching that is oriented towards trauma resolution only. These sessions are offered at 32% off ($135 for a 55-minute session) for individuals who have a lower household income and overall limited resources. Although these reduced-fee slots fill up quickly, please feel free to inquire about the current availability. If helpful, please also see the below FAQ item about seeking a referral to an insurance provider.
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6) Can You Refer Me to an Insurance Provider for Trauma Resolution?Sure, I'm happy to point you to two good directories to search with the goal of using your insurance, and I wish you the best. The following two "Practitioner Directories" can be helpful via "search by location" to capture your insurance coverage area (but note that some practitioners are various types of mental health providers and some are not, such as coaches). Usually the location lists provided are pretty manageable to search through - just note that you must check on each individual's exact insurance-type acceptance - as they will differ and some will only offer an out-of-pocket price. Somatic Experiencing International (SE is a "somatic" healing approach): Go to the SEI website. Internal Family Systems Institute (IFS is a "relational" healing approach): Go to the IFS website. Although I don't know of an organization or directory that formally combines both the relational and somatic approaches (which is what I recommend due to the high effectiveness when paired together), there is still value in exploring either approach separately when using insurance is your only current option for sessions.
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7) What are Your Payment Methods?I currently accept the following methods for individual coaching: Zelle (bank-to-bank transfer app) Venmo or PayPal (bank account or credit card payment apps) the Stripe app (which is credit card or Apple Pay) If you have another preferred method, feel free to check in with me about it.
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8) Do You Offer Group Coaching Programs or Public Events?I do work with a group (or couples/partners) that you are already a part of! Just check out my Group-Work options, HERE. I am exploring creating public events! When I do, I'll update this section.
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9) How Do I Inquire or Start?Please reach out me via the the following methods on my CONTACT page: Schedule a Discovery Call via Zoom for up to 30 minutes of getting acquainted: You can ask any questions and even try out a short coaching exercise to see what it's like. Email me directly with any brief questions you have, including if you are ready to schedule a session with me. Message me on LinkedIn. Try giving me a ring! It helps to leave your email address in your voicemail, so we can coordinate a call back when needed, so we don't play too much phone tag. :)
FREQUENTLY ASKED questions
