Counseling & Coaching

I believe the counseling and coaching experiences need to be based on a relationship of trust, authenticity and cooperation. I work alongside my clients – not out in front. Together we will explore your story, the issues and obstacles that motivated you to contact me, and creatively problem solve as a team.

My Approach

Exploring your story In order to understand your current situation we need to understand how you got here. What are the relationships and experiences that have shaped you? 

Understanding core beliefs Each and every story has highs and lows, protagonists and antagonists, hopes and disappointments. Throughout the arc of your story you have developed beliefs about yourself and the world we live in to help you cope. Some of these are helpful and some, though originally helped you survive, are now damaging. We will identify these in order to help us understand your current situation.

Coping strategies Out of these core beliefs develop coping strategies, some of which are now causing problems in your life. Some of these strategies are apparent, such as eating disorders, addictions and things you avoid. Others are not so clear, such as relational strategies and beliefs you tell yourself. Together we will work to identify healthier ways to cope.

Building trust, wisdom and hope Change requires trust; trust in the counseling process as well as trust in yourself. Learning new ways to live life may be uncomfortable and distressing. In order to persevere through the discomfort we will work to instill hope that change is possible.

Counseling vs. Coaching

Search the internet for the difference between counseling and coaching and you will find a lot of different answers about what distinguishes counseling from coaching. If you include spiritual direction in the mix, the issue becomes even more confusing. Here is how I define the difference.

Counseling is provided by an individual who has received a Master’s degree or higher and is licensed by a state governing board. For example, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Coaching is still largely unregultated in most states. 

Counseling offers specific approaches appropriate for diagnosable emotional and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and addiction. Coaching is designed for people who are not in crisis, but want to work on specific goals, behavior change and personal growth.

Counselors, while they may seek out additional training to do so, can offer coaching to their clients. Coaches, on the other hand, do not provide counseling. However, coaches may work alongside a counselor to provide additional help for a client.

In my coaching work I offer video and phone sessions with clients outside of the state. This requires clear boundaries in what I can and cannot treat. Here is what I can offer in coaching for clients outside of the State of Missouri for individuals who are motivated and medically and emotionally stable:

• Behavior change coaching (also called recovery coaching)
• Spiritual growth coaching 
• Enneagram coaching

In order to provide clients safety, I cannot offer coaching or counseling services to clients outside of the State of Missouri under the following conditions:

• Anyone who is in a medical or emotional crisis
• Anyone who has been told they should be in a higher level of care (i.e., residential treatment)
• Anyone who is actively suicidal or self-harming
• Anyone with an Axis II diagnosis