FAQ
Questions people ask
Honest answers to the things people ask before they reach out. Still wondering something? Just ask.
What is life coaching, exactly?
Coaching is a forward looking partnership: we start where you are, get clear on what you want, and build a plan you will follow, and then I help you stick to it, kindly. It is practical and goal focused, and it is not a diagnosis or a treatment.
Is coaching the same as therapy or counseling?
No, and the difference matters. Therapy is licensed mental health care that can diagnose and treat conditions and is often covered by insurance, while coaching is unlicensed, forward focused work on goals, habits, and decisions. Coaching does not diagnose, treat, or cure anything, and it is not a substitute for therapy. If something clinical comes up, I will help you find the right licensed support, and there is a full side by side on the Therapy vs Coaching page.
Who do you work with?
People stepping into leadership for the first time, founders and managers carrying more than they signed up for, anyone navigating a hard transition like a career pivot, a move, or burnout, and people who want to show up better in their relationships. If you are functioning but stuck, scattered, or stalled, coaching can help.
Do you only work with people on the Oregon coast?
No, most coaching happens by video, so you can work with me from anywhere in the country or the world. In person sessions are available on the North Oregon Coast near Astoria, Seaside, and Warrenton.
What happens in a session?
We talk: I ask good questions, reflect back what I hear, and we name the one or two things that would move the needle most. You leave with a concrete next step and a way to stay accountable, and most clients meet every week or two by video.
Do you take insurance?
No, coaching is not health care, so it is not billed to or reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, and there is no diagnosis code or superbill. It is paid out of pocket, and fees are listed plainly on the Fees page.
Is anything I share confidential?
Coaching conversations are private and handled with care, but coaching is not a licensed health service, so it does not carry the legal confidentiality protections, like HIPAA, that therapy does. Please do not send sensitive health details through the website form, since it is not a secure channel, and know that we cover privacy fully in your coaching agreement.
What if I am in crisis right now?
Coaching is not crisis care, and the website is not monitored around the clock. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), call 911, or call the Clatsop County 24 hour crisis line at 503-325-5724. Outside the US, Find a Helpline at findahelpline.com lists free support in more than 130 countries, and you deserve immediate help.
How do we start?
Book a free, no pressure intro call, where we talk about what is going on and whether coaching is the right fit. If it is not, I will point you toward something that is, and the Get Started page walks you through the whole path.