FAQ
What’s the difference between counseling and coaching?
Counseling and coaching have a lot of similarities but there are some important distinctions. In my work, the difference primarily comes into play when looking at the mental wellness of the person. I often use the analogy of a physical therapist and an athletic coach for an athlete. If an athlete is injured, struggling, and having a hard time functioning at a normal baseline, then physical therapy is what we would recommend, right? But if the athlete is doing okay, and is looking to improve their skills in a certain area, then coaching would be appropriate.
Counseling and coaching also draw some distinctions in what the focus of the work actually is. Counseling, for the most part, incorporates a significant amount of historical work, while coaching is primarily focused on making changes. Not that counseling isn’t about making change, and not that coaching doesn’t look at historical patterns of behavior, but the time spent in understanding the past is different between the two. Another difference is work on emotional work. Counseling, for the most part, spends a significant amount of time looking at your feelings around your past, whether that’s helping you process your feelings, or understand why you feel the way you do. Coaching may incorporate an understanding about your emotions, but to a less degree.
The mental wellness of an individual plays a large role in whether counseling or coaching is going to be a good fit. In my free consultation call, I do an assessment to make sure that your goals for coaching are appropriate for that level of care, or if what you’re looking for is a better fit for a therapist. If you live outside of Minnesota and are in need of counseling, I will need to refer you to a therapist in your state.
Do I really need therapy?
I don’t know! I mean, I really don’t, because I haven’t met you yet. But most people can benefit from having a therapist, rather than just seeing a friend or talking to a parent or mentor, because therapists are trained to help people through very difficult situations. We are also trained to be unbiased and objective, and we are trained to be attentive to the impact that your past can have on your life, such as being trauma-informed, attachment-based, or a combination. And because we are looking at things from the “outside,” rather than being an active participant, you can feel confident in divulging things to us that you might otherwise feel compelled to keep a secret because of how it might impact your relationships.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Usually. Therapy is inherently confidential, but there are some exceptions. Namely, if I have any safety concerns about you or others, I need to tell the proper people. So if you share that you are thinking about hurting yourself or hurting someone else (so suicidal or homicidal plans), or if you report that a child or vulnerable adult is being hurt, I need to report that. But otherwise, yes, everything is kept confidential.
Couples who come to family therapy will have their notes in the same file. That file will be accessible by either party, as it is a shared file. For this reason, I do not keep secrets as a policy but help each partner disclose what needs to be shared to the other partner. Exceptions can be made in cases of interpersonal violence or substance abuse where there is a safety concern between the couple.
What is therapy like? Is it coaching different?
Counseling often spends a lot of time looking at how you got to where you are. Looking at your past and your family of origin helps us understand why your symptoms exist and and how they function, and how to treat it appropriately so you can move forward. Coaching is focused much more on your thoughts and emotions.
Coaching spends a lot less time on the past. It primarily focuses on what you do now, and working on making compassionate, sustainable changes for long-term success. Coaching is focused much more on diabetes education, habits and behavior change.
Both coaching and counseling involve talking and sharing. Both of them may have homework or things to try in between sessions. Both of them involve me asking lots of questions and giving feedback. Both of them emphasize client autonomy and choice.
Do you work with children or teens?
I do not work with anyone under the age of 18.
How long is treatment?
I always tell my clients that my goal is for them to not be in therapy for the rest of their life. Counseling clients often receive services for about a year (sometimes less, sometimes more). Coaching clients are often 4-6 months, although they can opt to renew their packages.
I don’t live in the Twin Cities. Can I still work with you?
All of my services are through telehealth. I see counseling clients via a portal called Doxy, and I see coaching clients on Zoom.
Counseling clients need to live in Minnesota.
What does your practice’s name mean?
It’s taken from the phrase “I am greater than my highs and lows.”