Coaching: Questions and Answers

I became a life coach because I'm passionate about authenticity, living large, and empowering you to believe in yourself and create your own reality. Our work together will help you articulate what you're all about and what you really want.

I invite you to check out the Strong Coaching website, as well as to read this page for answers to some commonly asked questions about how coaching works.

~ WHAT'S YOUR DREAM? ~

* Are you tolerating the status quo?
* Are you stuck between thinking and doing?
* Does life feel too fast, too busy, too scattered, too pressured?
* Do you long to feel more jazzed about your everyday experience?
* Are you itching to create change in your work, your life?

Together, we'll take stock of where you are, figure out where you’re headed, explore what you love and where you feel limited, and get you moving towards what you really want in life.

~ HOW OFTEN AND HOW MUCH IS IT? ~

When you decide to start coaching, I send you a packet of materials that serves as the basis for our initial "Discovery" Session. This lasts 90-120 minutes. After that, we meet weekly for 45-60 minutes, in person or by phone.

Each session includes a check-in, a free-ranging conversation that invariably, if sometimes mysteriously, leads you exactly where you need to be, and concludes with a homework assignment for the coming week, as well as occasional inquiries for you to ponder or write about.

The Discovery Session costs $250. A sliding scale of $250-$350/month covers 3-4 sessions as well as email support and help with resumes and other writing, when appropriate.

~ A MONTH OR THREE OR MORE? ~

One of the things I love about coaching is that I get to create relationships with a range of creative, interesting, amazing people I wouldn't have necessarily gotten to know otherwise. It is such a privilege.

Once I'm your coach, you can count on me to be your coach for life!

I've had clients make life-changing realizations after just a month of coaching. Most people find that three months serves as a solid foundation for discovering real change. Still others have opted to continue coaching regularly on a long-term basis, while some clients call me on an as-needed basis - either for a check-in, a tune-up, or to discuss a specific decision or address a particular challenge.

In other words, there is no one answer. This is yours.

~ WHAT YOU COMMIT TO AS A CLIENT ~

Becoming more aware, more awake, more alive.
Shining a light on the habits or beliefs that keep you small.
Taking risks and trying new things.
Celebrating and learning from failure.
Making decisions based on your own unique code of values.
Looking at yourself and your life as a whole.
Consciously choosing your approach to life.
Taking ownership of your experience.
Speaking your truth.

In short, you commit to yourself.

~ WHAT I COMMIT TO AS YOUR COACH ~

Listening with my whole self.
Offering insights and suggestions.
Challenging you to new perspectives.
Cheering you on and cheering you up.
Helping you see the forest through the trees.
Reminding you of what you're up to in this world.
Refusing to let you settle.

~ WHAT IF YOU'RE JUST CURIOUS? ~

Hallejujah. If only we were all more curious.

Send me an email at jena (at) strongcoaching (dot) com. I will get back to you right away, and we can arrange to talk on the phone or meet for coffee if you are in Vermont. Our exploratory conversation is complementary and doesn't obligate you to anything. If it seems like a good fit, we will take it from there.

I am one of those ice-cream addicts who drives the scoopers crazy. I want to try all the flavors before I commit to one (or two). I want to know what my options are. The way I see it, picking a coach isn't so different and asking for a sample is perfectly reasonable. I probably even have some of those little plastic spoons somewhere in the junk drawer in my kitchen.

When I met a coach for the first time, back in 2001 when I was a solo Hillel professional, I had never even heard of coaching. She offered me a free "sample session" and I took her up on it, figuring I had nothing to lose. Sure enough, I didn't lose a thing. In fact, I gained a coach, and in the process of working with her, discovered a whole new path in life.

~ COME ON IN... THIS IS YOUR LIFE! ~

Do you have a clear vision for your life? If not, what illusions (of confusion, of permanence) or fears (of commitment, change, failure, or even success) make it difficult to see?

You know yourself better than I ever will. Having me as your coach gives you unconditional, safe, gentle, and strong support as you peel away the illusions and name the fears, flesh out the big picture, delve into the details, and dive into life.

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?

Rabbi Hillel said it well, two thousand years ago. In other words, who are you not to have a coach? What are you waiting for? If you've read this far, I hope you'll let me know. I'm so glad you're here. The world needs you.

xo Jena

P.S. A word about my qualifications: I've been officially coaching individual clients since 2003, and unofficially coaching friends, family, and anyone who will listen (to themselves, that is) pretty much forever. You can read some client testimonials on my website. And if you're someone who finds reassurance in degrees and credentials, feel free to take a look at my CV (pdf file).