Life coaching emerged as a viable field perhaps 25 years ago, as the generally formal nature of psychotherapy proved inadequate in many cases to deal with the increasingly complex lives of the many people who needed help. That coincided with the increasing numbers of people who desired to enter the work force in a helping capacity but didn’t want to invest the time and money necessary to earn degrees and licensure in psychology.
Unfortunately life coaching has not earned a sterling reputation, due in great part to the fact that too many life coaches have a coaching certification but not the life experience, and breadth of client experience, to be optimally effective.
The most effective life coaches possess a number of essential skills. Here are a few:
It is this last element that all too many coaches lack. Demonstrated ability to succeed in the real world (whether professional, relational, or interpersonal) is a powerful signal that the coach hasn’t just learned a set of “one-size-fits-all” techniques (which is what most coaching programs teach), but can understand how to apply them successfully to the real world.
Most coaches focus on engaging and bringing to the fore hidden internal resources. For many clients this is an effective approach. But unfortunately in myriads of cases the internal resources are either insufficiently developed, blocked, or otherwise inaccessible.
I call myself a Life Consultant because I see the services that I offer as closer to what a consultant would provide as opposed to what a coach would. Broadly speaking, a consultant in the corporate world is brought in to help an organization tackle a problem that it has been unable to solve using its own resources. These organizations generally seek a different perspective and a set of specific knowledges and skills that can be applied to the problems being faced.
A coach, while similar to a consultant, focuses more on assessing the strengths of the organization and its members and then works to enhance them. So, if you know you have the strengths, skills, and qualities necessary to succeed but just don’t know how to harness them, a life coach is a great place to turn. If, though, you may need more in terms of objectivity and new approaches to solving the issues you are wishing to solve, I strongly urge you to look more in the direction of a consultant (like me!).
I’ve helped clients from all over the greater D.C. area land their dream jobs and make successful career transitions. I’ve also taken on clients from across the United States and world in a virtual setting. I also counsel clients at my home office in Alexandria.
Contact JimNormally, sessions are 50 minutes long, although arrangements can be made for longer sessions.
The answer to that question depends entirely on the issue(s) you are seeking to resolve. If you’re coming in for something fairly straightforward, such as networking or interviewing coaching, or to improve your resume/LinkedIn profile/cover letter, you’ll probably need to meet with me once or twice. If you’re looking to tackle a more complex issue (e.g. if you’re dissatisfied with your current career but don’t know what alternatives would make sense, and/or if there is a significant emotional block like low self-confidence or debilitating anxiety) we’re probably looking at somewhere between four and eight sessions. After a preliminary conversation with you I’ll be able to give you a reasonable estimate.
For the foreseeable future I am only conducting sessions virtually (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, or phone). I have found virtual sessions to be just as effective as in-person, in addition to being more convenient for both my clients and me. I can schedule sessions just about any time between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, and even on weekends if necessary.
My rate per 50 minute session ranges from $250 to $450. The rate varies according to the complexity of the issue(s) we will be working on, and your ability to pay.
If, after our initial meeting we determine that multiple sessions make sense, I will be happy to discuss a package with a reduced per-session fee.
If you are eligible for insurance reimbursement (i.e. if our work together involves a significant emotional or psychological component, and if you have out-of-network mental health benefits), I will be happy to provide you with the documentation necessary for reimbursement. Unfortunately I will not be able to determine whether you have coverage as there are hundreds of types of plans offered by insurance carriers; you will need to contact your carrier or HR department to determine whether your plan provides coverage for my services.
Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, check or cash.
The primary tasks in our first session will be:
Agree to a goal(s) for our work together.
Get to know each other so as to ensure that we’re a good “fit” (it’s very rare that the fit isn’t good).
Agree to next steps that will begin to move the ball forward. I believe that every session should include assignments that will result in progress towards our agreed-upon goals.
Despite conventional wisdom, most people do not have one passion buried inside of them that simply needs to be discovered. More generally, people are capable of developing passion for multiple careers.
Most certainly. There are proven techniques that can enhance job satisfaction to at least some degree. Whenever I work with clients who are dissatisfied with their job or their career I make sure to devote at least some time to teaching these techniques in addition to working on exploring alternatives and improving their ability to find better employment.
Here are some signs to pay attention to:
I have had 4 successful careers – as advertising executive, psychotherapist, non-profit president and career counselor, so I know the challenges inherent in launching and thriving in different jobs. And having built fulfilling lives in 3 vastly different cities- NY LA and DC – gives me valuable additional perspective. Plus having coached many hundreds of clients in just about every conceivable field and through all kinds of challenges I have an unmatched breadth of career knowledge and insight.
Insight – my training as a therapist allows me to better understand my clients and helps me provide them with superior guidance. Tone of voice, facial expression, body language, the stories you use to illuminate your history and the way you express yourself – confidently, tentatively, modestly, with an edge – all help me understand you and allow me to tailor our conversations and the homework I usually give so that they achieve maximum impact.
Creativity- I thrived in advertising, a career in which creativity is the most important attribute. It’s one I cherish. Helping my clients think in new ways, see new patterns, and identify opportunities that are sometimes unorthodox are skills that have repeatedly borne fruit.
Intelligence – it’s uncool to boast but as a Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard graduate and Jeopardy winner I think my background speaks for itself.
Curiosity- I’m interested in a huge range of topics (that really helps on Jeopardy!). I’ve been to all 50 states and over 80 countries. I speak 5 languages. And what drew me to psychotherapy and career work was the chance to hear the stories and share the experiences and the world view of an astounding variety of people. I love learning about them and coming to understand them.
Achievement orientation ~ I’ve always been motivated by getting results., whether grades, honors, fluency, mastery, or concrete contributions to others. Providing specific, actionable guidance to Help my clients find greater satisfaction in their lives is more than a job – for me it’s a joyous endeavor.
“I will coach you on the techniques you need to do it beautifully.”
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