Frequently Asked Questions

Once you’ve committed, I will send you an agreement to sign which is both a legal framework, as well as a commitment from you to engage fully in the coaching process.

After that you will fill out a comprehensive intake questionnaire that will help me understand you better in advance of the first session. Initial sessions are longer, lasting 90 minutes, and provide the overall scope of the work you would like to do within the relationship. Sessions thereafter last 50 minutes.

I began working one on one with people in 2010 through recovery communities, which was the genesis for my journey into coaching. I also mentored a young person for 4 years before moving to my current location in Portland.

In 2020 I began my Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program and began teaching meditation. In 2021 I trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS Level 1) and began training as a coach.

Shortly after finishing my training, I was recommended by the lead teacher of the coaching program I attended for a job at an agency, and have been coaching between 12-15 clients since April of 2023.

Most of my clients find they’ve made significant progress in 6 sessions, though those who are able to opt for 12 sessions find increased benefits. Much of the progress we make depends on the willingness and ability of clients to spend time working with new skills and perspectives.

My aim as a coach is to provide you care, motivation, and a host of new habits and skills that will carry you forward. When our relationship is successful, you will have new faith in your own wisdom and resilience, and I won’t be necessary.

I generally recommend sessions occur every two weeks, give or take a few days. This allows time for clients to adopt new habits and build new skills to see how they are changing their experience. Two weeks tends to be enough time to see change, but not so much that the coach to client connection has diminished.

Generally speaking, a coach is suited for those wanting support in improving their present and future, whereas a therapist is helping to heal from the past. That being said, creating meaningful change almost always requires emotional work. Many of my clients arrive with anxiety, depression, or both.

Using mindfulness and other emotionally informed tools is a big part of what I do. If a client is unable to consistently show up for their stated commitments, a referral to a therapist is suggested.

Yes! Though I find mindfulness to be the foundational element of change (think of it as the bread of the sandwich), I use many other tools. I am trained (Level 1) in Internal Family Systems, and I use other proven methods such as CBT, Stoicism, and Nonviolent Communication. I also help clients investigate aspects of their lives that pose challenges to their progress; lack of exercise, sleep routine, time management, diet, social media and screen time issues, etc.

Yes!! (And no : ). When I was 17, I had a skiing accident and lost my right eye. It took quite a bit of effort, both external and internal, to normalize. Near death experiences can be great opportunities to build resilience!