Hi friends and thank you for you investment in walking this journey with myself and others who believe in this work to become our best selves!
You have reached out to me asking for guidance in living your best self. I am truly honored that you trust me with your vulnerabilities! I welcome you to our community where like-minded folk are gathered here to cheer everyone on. No journey paves the same path, in the same direction. Sometimes, our paths aren’t quite understood by our family, friends, significant others. And that is OK! Or, sometimes those we love are a little bias towards our journey–they have that loyal, ‘ride or die’ mentality. That’s great to have!! And, some of us are journeying alone as we have discovered those that held a role in our life served as a reminder, or participant in trauma and/or toxicity. And I commend you for having the strength, resiliency and enough self love to walk away!
First, let’s define coaching as it can be sometimes confused with Counseling, or Therapy. First and foremost, there is legal wording that define counseling that coaches cannot use or practice. A great way to sum up the differences is therapist work with their patients and their past traumas to find self-acceptance and love or assist in diagnosis and treatment for mental/emotional adversities. A coach guides clients in the present and future to help you effectively create habits and set goals. Both services help a person change their thinking, lifestyle and creates self-confidence while navigating life. Individually, or combining the services, can create opportunities for the person to live their best lives as their best selves! To read more on legal and foundational differences on the two services, I’ve included some really good articles:
Counseling Today: Counseling vs. Coaching
Good Therapy: What’s the Legal Difference?
I do have a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, however I do not have any certification to be a counselor or therapist, yet. I am, however, working towards certification in Holistic Wellness and Life Coach. I will soon be continuing towards a Masters in Counseling so that I can merge these lines. Until then, I do require a HIPPAA agreement signed–confidentiality is of upmost important to our journey! There will be a few key agreements I will discuss with you. One caveat to the HIPPAA agreement is that if for any reason there is a seemingly threat or harm to self and others, I have the right to call 9-1-1. Again, I am not a therapist, but there are certain behaviors and actions I do not have the credentials to handle. I want you and your surroundings to be safe! Another disclosure is that I encourage you to create a team for well-rounded, holistic wellness. That could include doctor, therapist, personal trainer–your personal team of advocates!
Okay, lets get to my foundation of coaching!
The diagram above is my 360/5 holistic wellness check. It’s a lot of information as it dives into four dimensions: physical environment, mind, body, and soul. Each of the major elements in this approach are major faucets in most human lives. The eye in the center of the circle, and sun, is your best self. When in balance, we are living our best selves. When imbalance exists, my approach allows us to review every element and dimension in efforts to resolve imbalance surrounding the challenges. Like learning a new skill, this can be time consuming–revisiting this approach daily and listening to biological and soul feedback. I like to introduce micro habits into daily routines. This isn’t a one answer fits all, nor is it instant gratification. Give yourself one year to revolutionize your life for the better. Give me one year to guide you in building your best life!