Frequently asked questions.
What is positive psychology?
Positive psychology is a research-based branch of psychology that looks at human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses. Where other branches of psychology are concerned mainly with healing mental illness or repairing the damage caused by trauma, positive psychology researchers study what keeps us healthy and thriving in order to prevent things like depression, anxiety, and trauma in the first place.
What does coaching look like?
Coaching sessions are typically 50 minutes long. We’ll start by working to clarify a specific goal you want to focus on. Then we’ll take a look at your strengths and resources and figure out the best way to use them. Based on that information, I’ll create a coaching engagement plan to ensure we are making the best use of our time together. After that, coaching sessions will involve using tools and exercises for self-inquiry and exploration designed to move you towards your goal in ways that also support your personal growth and overall well-being. During each session we will create a plan with manageable steps for you to take before our next session and practice some strategies to overcome any hurdles that might come up.
Coaching, therapy? What’s the difference?
Generally speaking, coaching is focused on helping people reach future goals, whereas psychotherapy tends to deal more with healing issues from the past such as grief or trauma that can lead to mental health issues. Therapy should always be prioritized for concerns like depression, anxiety, and addiction. Once someone has reached a healthy mental place, coaching can be a great way to support getting them where they want to be next.
Some people choose to pursue therapy and coaching concurrently. If you’re interested in adding my coaching services to your mental health strategy, please contact me to discuss how I can work with you and your therapist to help you take the next step.
Do you work with people who have anxiety and/or depression?
I do not have a degree in social work, counseling, or therapy and I am not trained to diagnose or treat mental illnesses. That said, I do have some personal experience dealing with depression and anxiety. If you have worked with a therapist and are in a good place mentally, I’d be happy to talk about how we can work together to help you reach your other goals.