coaching FAQ

• more about my coaching style & other frequently asked questions •

I offer a distinctive coaching style that infuses creative expression & Hakomi principles into each session. Creativity can provide a deep yet playful way to reach the innate wisdom of mind, heart, & body. My approach has evolved from a wide range of personal life experiences and interests including art, architecture & design, leadership, teaching, professional mentorship, technology, my own inner work — and what I’ve learned from decades of working with others.

“we’re all just walking each other home”

— Ram Dass —

my coaching style is infused with a few essential ingredients whether you’re working with me in an individual or team context…

• elements of my process •

  • Creativity flows within all of us — I believe it’s an essential life force. In our work together, I’ll invite you to explore how creative expression is a powerful resource for reflection and growth that you can tap into any time. You don’t need to call yourself an artist or creative spirit. Any medium is welcome — visuals, sound, movement, words, numbers, food, plants, humor, games, something else. We are simply using it as a way to connect with our inner worlds. Through conversation and experiments we’ll discover a mode expression that resonates with you.

  • Analogy is a playful and informative way to develop new connections and insights! Analogies let us understand something new in terms of something familiar. This involves mapping information or meaning from the familiar source onto the new or less familiar target. We do this so naturally that we don’t even realize it, and it’s considered to be the core of cognition. Analogies permeate our language in the form of words, idioms, and metaphors.

    Our world provides an endless supply of analogies that help us gain perspective on our human experience. The concept of a Journey, of traveling a path, is one of the most ancient and enduring sources of analogy in human history. It’s ubiquitous because it’s so relatable — so I like to start with it and move on from there. It’s also a practical way to map out your life, with layered meaning that appears as you explore aspects of your experience: sensory, spatial, temporal, and relational.

  • Diagramming is how I make sense of the world — expressed in drawings, graphics, sculptures. I patiently untangle the complexities of thought and experience into essential strands, and weave them into useful narratives that are coherent, poetic, and meaningful — for myself and for others. It’s both an artistic and professional skill. You can think of it also as meaningful abstraction, analysis and synthesis, complexity-busting.

    What’s your superpower? Let’s find out!

  • Hakomi is a beautifully gentle and human method of psychotherapy, rooted in loving presence that creates a safe space for inner inquiry and healing. I have a foundational training in integrating the Hakomi Principles & Method within a coaching framework, and I’m planning to continue my education with a comprehensive training. At this time, my coaching approach is informed by certain aspects of Hakomi — without crossing into psychotherapy. (see FAQs below)

    I have a deep respect for Hakomi, and aim to honor and uphold its principles in my work with people and general way of being:

    • mindfulnes • organicity • unity • non-violence • mind-body integration •

    [ learn more about Hakomi ]

• frequently asked questions •

  • Coaching is a collaborative process that helps you clarify your goals, gain insight, and take action toward meaningful change. It is intended to support growth, reflection, and accountability.

    Coaching is not consulting or advice; it doesn’t tell you what to do, attempt to ‘fix you’, or do any work for you.

    Coaching is not a substitute for mental health treatment, therapy, or psychiatric care.

  • I bring my core approach (creativity and Hakomi principles) to my work with both organizations and individuals — but specific exercises and techniques may be different. We’ll be co-creating a space of inquiry that is appropriate for a professional context.

    Everyone on your team / in your company is a whole person, and stuff may come up. I learned in my decades of professional career that we tend to bring ourselves to work. The good and the … complicated. Leadership, decisions, and team dynamics can certainly expose parts of us that may otherwise remain guarded.

  • So, good question. I see ‘being an artist’ as more of an identity than a capacity. I tend to believe that creativity flows within all of us, naturally! Creativity Coaching (the way I approach it) is centered around helping you harness the key creative force behind your strengths & interests as a resource for growth and reflection.

    I can help you discover a mode of expression that resonates with you, whether it becomes a routine ‘creative practice’ as such or simply a tool in your toolbelt.

    The majority of my direct knowledge is in visual art & communication; I can guide you in exploring another medium with the understanding that I’ll operate and communicate within my own limits of experience. You are the expert in you!

  • Most sessions will include exercises that you can keep as “artifacts” to remember and reference later. If the session was more about experiencing, we’ll still document key take-aways. I encourage you to also keep a journal of some kind that records your thoughts, experiences, and anything else you wish to remember.

    I may also periodically offer relevant daily practices, practical tools, & creative sparks — these are invitations, totally optional. Overall, my approach encourages more presence (during and between sessions) than assigned homework per se.

  • You are welcome to continue our work together with another relevant theme; or you may schedule ‘walking the path’ sessions for ongoing general support in any area.

  • At this time, I only hold sessions virtually via Zoom.

• terms & conditions •

  • Coaching is not a substitute for mental health treatment, therapy, or psychiatric care.

    If I believe coaching isn’t the right fit, I may recommend that you seek other support before continuing coaching. I reserve the right to pause or discontinue coaching if, in my professional judgment, your needs would be better served by clinical, psychiatric, or other licensed professional care.

  • Our time together is important. The coaching relationship is an ongoing opportunity to practice accountability, grace, and the golden rule. I do my best to be understanding & communicative about appointments myself. Forgetfulness or unforeseen situations can happen to both of us!

    Here are my expectations for appointments (a.k.a. sessions, meetings, consultations, etc). Please review this scheduling policy before booking.

    • Scheduling timeframe: appointments may be scheduled, rescheduled, or cancelled up to 24 hours prior to the appointment start time.

    • Payment: collected in full at the time of booking (when purchasing a single session or multi-session package). Payments are processed by Stripe, which offers multiple ways to pay.

    • Appointment start time: arrive to the virtual meeting or in-person location promptly at the scheduled time. Late arrival (15 minutes or more) will incur a no-show fee.

    • Late-cancellation fee: a cancellation with notice provided that occurs less than 24 hours prior to the appointment will incur a $20 late-cancellation fee. A refund for the remainder will be issued within 10 business days. Cancellation without notice will be considered a no-show.

    • Missed appointments (no-show): missing an appointment completely or arriving 15+ minutes late is considered a no-show, and will incur a fee of 50% of the appointment cost. A refund for the remainder will be issued within 10 business days.

    • Grace & Flexibility: if an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance causes you to cancel late, arrive late, or miss an appointment altogether, exceptions to the fees listed above may be considered at my discretion. Provided that a reasonable effort was made to notify me of your situation as soon as possible, I will do my best to work with you on rescheduling or another resolution. Communication details are provided after booking.

    • If I need to cancel or reschedule an appointment: similarly, I will provide notice as far in advance as possible, and will offer you a resolution such as prompt rescheduling or receiving a credit or refund.

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