Frequently Asked Questions
Coaching is a shared communication process between a coach and client; you talk about the things you want to change in your life, as I listen deeply and ask questions to help you gain a better awareness of what needs to change. I encourage you on big and small ‘wins’ while giving you the accountability you need to reach your goals. We share a confidential partnership built on trust and authenticity.
Coaching is not about me telling you what to do, but rather me bringing you through a transformative process so you can figure out “what now?” Whether you are coming to coaching for grief, disorganization or a life transition, we work on unpacking emotions, finding hope, experiencing growth, accomplishing goals, expanding vision, building confidence, and discovering passion. Coaching is an investment in one’s future - the tools and strategies taught by a trained coach last a lifetime. Partnering with me as your coach will bring healing, as well as empower, motivate and inspire you to live fully in the purpose God has for your life.
In group coaching, you benefit not just from the coaching process, but also from peer learning with others - this is often referred to as ‘collective wisdom’. This way of learning is often as important as the individual interaction you receive with me as your coach. Many clients find coaching in a group gives them more time to reflect and integrate their insights. Listening to one another’s experiences and offering each other feedback can actually help you experience breakthroughs more quickly. Each of my coaching groups are lighthearted, energizing and interactive.
Coaches are action-oriented and come alongside clients to help them reach goals that require direction and accountability. They aren’t necessarily dealing with someone’s past issues or something that is “wrong”; instead, they focus on what is preventing progress, and growth. Counseling often focuses on the question “why?” as well as weaknesses and deficits. On the contrary, coaching focuses on the question “how?” and emphasizes strengths and assets.
In our coaching together, we may identify past events that have influenced where you’re at now. If you’re emotionally unstable, wrestling with deep depression and intense anxiety, or keeping the conversation rooted in the past, you are not in a good place for coaching. It’s my job to communicate this if I notice it, and refer you to a counselor.
Coaching is right for anyone who is struggling yet ready for change, open to honest feedback and wanting more out of life. When people ask if coaching is for them, I simply ask two questions: “Do you want to make a positive change in your life?” and “Are you ready to put in the work to make that change happen?” If you can answer yes to both of these, you will benefit from working with me.
I meet with my clients via Zoom and phone calls; I am open to whatever you are most comfortable with.
All sessions start with a check-in, to see how things have gone since our last call. As the client, you decide on the topic you want to talk about. This can include a wide range of focuses such as grief, disorganization, health, personal growth, faith, careers or relationships. As a coach, I am always curious and it's my goal to help you figure out what's causing you to feel overwhelmed, lost or stuck. We spend time getting a better understanding of where you are at, consider where you want to be going, and then figure out how to get there. We clarify goals and vision, identify core values that support that vision, explore solutions, consider resources, and break it down into manageable goals.
Coaching is an awareness-action-learning process; as a coach, I partner with you to identify and commit to ‘growth-work’ in between sessions that move you towards your goals. The beauty of inner change happens gradually over time, as new insights are brought to light during, but more often IN BETWEEN coaching sessions.
What an awesome question! In the New Day Dawning coaching program, you will learn how to:
- Discover cluttered emotions and their impact on your life
- Grieve losses in healthy ways so you can move beyond them
- Identify core values, which are the foundation to who you are
- Acknowledge fears & failures so they don’t hold you back anymore
- Implement better self care, soul care strategies for your wellbeing
- Work within your strengths and develop resilience to face your challenges
- Explore limiting beliefs so you can live from a place of self worth and confidence
- Organize areas of your home and life that feel chaotic
- Establish healthy boundaries so you can take better responsibility for you
- Recognize victim mindset so you can take more ownership for your life
- Understand what letting go really means, so you live more freely
- Create realistic goals & habits to help you engage more fully in life
I do offer individual sessions in addition to my New Day Dawning program. You get to choose what’s best for you. The way I describe the difference is like a few house updates versus a total renovation. If you are wanting to only do a little tweaking in one area of your life, individual sessions may be a good fit. If you are looking for a total life transformation, the 6-month program is by far the way to go!
The answer is: with you. In our first session, I listen deeply to all that’s been going on, and allow you to express what you are wanting to receive from your sessions. If you are not sure, that’s OK - coaching will bring you clarity on what to focus on first. We then talk about what you want to accomplish in each area and work together on a customized plan to help you start moving forward in the area of deepest need. You are welcome to change direction and work on a different area of your life anytime.
As a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional, I bring years of expertise, a love of organization and an objective eye to your spaces - virtually! As you sift through physical stuff we also explore related areas of grief, loss, routines, relationships, family life and work. This enables you to understand the root of what’s causing your disorganization. I help you in creating organized systems, and teach you skills so you can become more confident in your own ability to get organized. I listen to what your specific challenges are, view the spaces through pictures and video, support you in making decisions around removing unwanted belongings, help you set goals and develop a plan to keep you on track. We discuss easy-to-follow routines to help keep things in order. In between sessions, you do the physical work.
We focus on one realistic project at a time. Each timeline will depend on: your overall goals, how quickly you make decisions, how much you are willing and able to complete between sessions, the accessibility and size of the space(s) to be decluttered and organized, the level of organization desired, and the amount of distractions you have going on. With each virtual coaching session, you will be guided on how to clear physical clutter as you apply new skills each week, and begin to understand what's really been going on beneath those piles!
I grew up in a very dysfunctional, cluttered environment and know that feeling of shame! I can help you learn to let things go, but this takes time. As an experienced professional, I bring NO judgment, just lots of compassion and understanding. I sincerely have a desire to help you restore peace and order to your life, and will remind you that change is possible as you take brave steps in getting the help you need. The work we do together is very much client directed; as a coach, I love to ask lots of thought provoking questions which will help you make good decisions on what stays, or not. I will often remind you of your personal goals to live more clutter free. But it’s your stuff - you are the decision maker and we go along with the pace you need.
The Institute for Challenging Disorganization defines Chronic Disorganization ("CD") with these criteria:
- Disorganization that has been present for a long time indicating a chronic condition
- There is a history of failed self-help efforts, leading to discouragement
- The disorganization undermines your quality of life on a regular basis.
- You expect the disorganization to continue into the future, resulting in a lack of hope
We all have times in our lives when we suffer from a sickness, while others face a deep loss or are working through a divorce. These types of overwhelming situations can put us in a place of being "situationally" disorganized for a time. However, when the quality of your life suffers on a daily basis and you feel utterly overwhelmed all the time, you might be chronically disorganized. Some underlying reasons could be a brain based challenge (such as ADHD, depression or anxiety), an ongoing illness or trauma. A professional organizing specialist who is trained can provide much needed support for both types of organizational challenges. I’ve worked with clients affected by CD for years, and continue to grow in knowledge and experience in this area.
I require a 24-hour advance notice to reschedule sessions; otherwise fees may be forfeited.
You can safely and securely pay by credit card via PayPal (you are not required to have a PayPal account to use this service), or send me a check. Full payments for coaching sessions and programs are required prior to meeting.
As a Professional Life & Grief Coach, I’ve received many (many!) hours of training and have graduated from 3 different, comprehensive ICF accredited training programs. I had the privilege of training with David Kessler in a year long Grief Educator Certification program, and have earned a certificate in Grief, Crisis & Trauma training with Dr. H. Norman Wright.
As an additional value add for my clients, I hold a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer credential. This enables me to work with people anywhere in the world or with those who prefer not to have someone in their homes or businesses. Learning how to organize virtually is an incredible process that can allow you to declutter any space without anyone else being physically present. Whether it is a room or your whole home, I can help you set goals and keep you on track to get a project done. While you are actively engaged in the process, you also create new neural pathways and develop self supportive organizing habits. Virtual organizing is not only private, safe, and affordable - it's flexible to fit within a busy schedule!
Click here for a complete list of my credentials and education.
Great question! I am a simple, down to earth gal who will be transparent with my own life experiences, so you can be free to share your own. I have lived a life filled with clutter, failures and mistakes; yet through God’s grace, I’ve found my passion and purpose. I will continue to believe in you and encourage you when you feel "less than" or stuck in a rut. I will champion you to step out of your comfort zone and face your fears. This will allow you to overcome past regret and discover your God-given potential so you can move forward. My desire is to help you find hope, resilience, determination, and purpose in the midst of challenge and loss, and to hold onto it for you when you begin to lose sight of it. It would be an honor to partner with you on your personal journey towards change.