Carol, what makes you the Discovery Coach? And what does Discovery Coaching mean?

Coaching to me is a discovery process. It’s a totally open, free, and confidential exploration of who you are, where you want to go in your life, and how you want to get there. I use the term Discovery Coaching to cover any area you might wish to explore. Life purpose. Life balance. Career. Business. Money. Time management. Health. Relationships, Spiritual growth. These things are all part of a person’s life. My job is to help you deepen the learning, forward the action, and discover how to start living the life you want.

Who are your clients?

I coach all types of people who want to be their best. My cilents include writers, coaches, business executives, entrepreneurs, housewives, college students, midlife transitioners, retirees. They range from a 21-year-old fitness trainer to a septuagenarian energy healer. They’re black, white, Asian, Latino. Men, women. Straight, gay. They live across the U.S., in Europe, South Africa, Bangladesh. What do they all have in common? An intense curiosity and a never-ending desire to grow.

What do you coach them on?

I coach them on whatever subjects and goals they wish: starting up a business, writing a book, finding their life purpose, meeting a specific goal, meeting their mate, transforming their relationships, or eliminating unwanted habits like smoking or procrastination. Any area of inquiry is a possible subject for coaching.

Can you really be an expert in all those areas?

My clients are the experts. At some level they have all the answers they need to create the life the want. I have the questions that can help them unlock those answers, access their inner resources, and structure a plan to get them to where they really want to be.

How does coaching differ from psychotherapy?

The textbook answer is that therapy deals with problems, and coaching with possibilities. Put another way, coaching focuses less on where the client has been and more on where s/he wants to go. To me, the dividing line is seldom so sharp. I know plenty of people whose therapists successfully coach them on life goals. And I’ve helped plenty of clients heal long-standing issues that surfaced during the coaching. As one client told me, "I’ve been in therapy for nine years and I’ve never had a breakthrough like this!"

That said, certain issues and conditions definitely warrant psychotherapy. Clinical depression, anxiety, phobias, and deeply rooted traumas like rape come immediately to mind. When red flags appear, I may refer that person to a qualified therapist.

Chances are, you know what’s best for you. Talk to a counselor, take advantage of the complimentary sample session that most coaches provide, and let your instincts decide.

Where did you get your training?

I received my training as a professional coach from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI) of San Rafael, CA, one of a handful of institutions accredited by the International Coaching Federation. I also am a certified Master Practitioner and Trainer in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), and a graduate of Anthony Robbins' Mastery University, a year-long personal transformation program based on NLP principles.

What is NLP?

NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is the study of how we humans do what we do — and how we can change that. NLP concerns itself with how people create their subjective experiences of the world; for in understanding how we create our daily behaviors and emotional states, we can learn to manage them successfully.

According to NLP, every experience has an underlying structure. Every action we take, every behavior we exhibit, every emotion we feel is made up of a series of patterns: patterns of body language (Neuro) and patterns of verbal language (Linguistics) that get linked up as habitual behaviors (Programs). These patterns, or programs, usually got conditioned into us at an early age, before we knew we had a choice. As long as we're unaware of these programs, they run us. When we understand what they are how they work, then we're able to interrupt those programs and create new ones that better serve us. Combined with coaching, NLP is a powerful force for rapid, lasting change.

How long does the average client stay in coaching?

Since I have no "average" clients, it’s hard to say. Some work on a specific issue for three months and then move on, others stay on for a year or more. It depends on how much they wish to discover and grow,

How do you deliver the coaching?

Usually over the telephone. Telecoach sessions are easy to schedule and highly effective. We can zero in on what really matters in a matter of minutes. I can also meet with clients by special arrangements.

How long do the coaching calls last?

The most effective calls average 30-40 minutes. The longer the call, the more likely it is that the client is spinning old stories (and I'm indulging them). The goal of the coaching is to focus the learning and forward the action — during and in between calls.

How do you support clients in between calls?

I offer unlimited email access at no additional charge. Sometimes I give the client homework (or funwork) assignments. Other times I pose an inquiry for the client to journal or noodle on. Some clients take such great advantage of the email offer that they receive the benefit of several coaching sessions in between calls.

What size is your coaching practice?

I limit my practice to 15 clients, both to give them ample individual attention, and to leave time for my writing and group training programs. Recently I've added "Duo Coaching" to my practice, which allows two clients to team up and each receive 30 minutes of coaching during an hour-long call. The arrangement lowers the cost for each client, and gives them the support of an additional "buddy.".

What are your fees?

My fees range from $300-500 per month, depending on the number and frequency of calls. Rates are negotiable for longer retainer arrangements.

Do you do groups?

I do occasional group programs and teleclasses. I also develop and deliver customized workshops for corporations, organizations, schools, writers, and fellow coaches. Click on Upcoming Events to see what's on tap. Or contact me to discuss your specific needs.