If you’re not familiar with coaching, or just want to know more about my approach, this page will give you insight into coaching in general and my practices, specifically. If I’ve not answered a question here, or on other pages, feel free to contact me with your question.
- Don’t hire me if you’re looking for someone to tell you what to do. Contrary to what many people think, this is not your coach’s primary role. I might suggest a course of action when directness is called for but the best “directives” arise in the conversation between us.
- I don’t address issues that are best addressed in therapy. I do assist clients in clarifying their feelings about a situation in order to make the best decision possible. It might feel like therapy, at times, but it is not.
- I trust that you have the ability to make good decisions on your behalf. This doesn’t mean that I won’t offer a perspective or idea; it does mean that if it doesn’t sit well with you, you get to say so.
Frequently Asked Question:
Click on a link for the FAQ you’re curious about.
- Do you only work with people who are recovering from a health setback or dealing with a chronic illness?
- Do I have to commit to a long-term coaching contract?
- What does it cost to work with you?
- How much do I have to invest upfront?
- Do you ever offer pro-bono coaching?
- What if I don’t get the results I’m looking for?
- What is the first step?
Do you only work with people who are recovering from a health setback or dealing with a chronic illness?
No. I have and do work with other independent entrepreneurs who find themselves stuck for one reason or another. They may have experienced a “crisis of confidence,” or need to tend to a relative requiring extra attention, or be parents of school-aged children for whom they want to be available during “normal working hours.”
Many of my clients have other interests beside their business (writers and musicians often find their way to me) and realize they’ve gotten so busy at work that they’ve lost touch with an important part of themselves. They might even wonder if they’re in the right business.
If you need assistance clarifying your direction, determining the very best use of your time and/or developing an effective business strategy that fits your lifestyle and personality, it would be worth your time to schedule an exploratory coaching consultation.
Do I have to commit to a long-term coaching contract?
Although I have worked with clients for as long as 3 years, it’s by no means required to see good results. When we talk about your needs, objectives and budget during the exploratory coaching consultation, we’ll also discuss the best time frame for what you want to accomplish. Typically, I request a 3-month initial commitment, as I find it long enough to get some real work done, but not so long that you feel overwhelmed by the financial or time commitment.
Those who have worked with me for longer periods of time do so through voluntary renewal. After the initial coaching period ends, we’ll review your progress and discuss additional objectives. You get to decide if you want to continue, for what purpose and for how long.
I will always tell you if what you need and what I offer aren’t a match, either because it’s not an area I coach in or I don’t think the time frame or frequency will be sufficient.
How much do I have to invest upfront?
Some people prefer to pay a monthly retainer and some people like to pay for 3 months at a time. (I don’t accept more than 3 months of payment at a time. I find that to be most comfortable for everyone.) If you prepay for 3 months you receive a 10% reduction in your coaching fees.
What does it cost to work with you?
To get a base-line idea of what my fees are visit the Ala Carte Coaching page. The investment required to work with me on a retainer basis is actually a bit more than the Ala Carte fees because I make myself available between our schedule calls (by phone and email) and include materials that you wouldn’t receive if you were to schedule a single meeting with me. Visit the Coaching Program page to find out what else you get with coaching.
The actual cost of a coaching package will be based on your objectives and the time frame for our work. If you have a specific budget in mind, we can talk about what can and can’t be addressed.
Do you ever offer pro-bono coaching?
At this time I don’t.
What if I don’t get the results I’m looking for?
Over time, most people do. Yet, coaching can reveal truths not previously recognized. For example, a chiropractor once hired me to help him become more organized with his time, and to create an effective marketing strategy (tailored to his personality) to grow his client base. A funny thing happened. After a few weeks, when he was able to identify the marketing activities that would be most effective, he realized he had NO interest in them at all. He decided to close his business and get a job. Within 2 weeks, he shut down business and did find a job that suited him very well. Was this what he came to coaching for? No. Was it a satisfactory result? Yes!
If, at any time you are not happy with the results, are not getting what you need, or are concerned in any way, I ask you to tell me so we can look at it together. Life does get in the way, coaching can illuminate what has been hidden. I am always fair. If you need to stop before the official agreement ends, we stop. I ask for 30 days notification whenever possible (for longer term projects). If you’re unhappy with my work I’ll refund your fees. (I haven’t refunded coaching fees for 9 or 10 years.)
What Is the First Step?
When you’re ready to, schedule an exploratory coaching consultation in which we will discuss your situation, and determine if private coaching with me is right for you. During the consultation, we’ll co-create the coaching objectives so that if we agree to move forward we’ll have a framework from which to start right away.
Even before we start coaching, you’re likely to gain clarity – and feel relief – about things that have been bothering you.
Joan, …thank you — you’ve helped me a ton already! Today I marked 3 Fridays off a month with ‘NO WORK’ [and already have] clarity about trunk shows.
~ KP, Image Consultant