Coaching FAQ's
What is the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy focuses on understanding the past and how it influences the individual in his or her life; it is about healing emotional wounds. Coaching focuses on taking action in the present, and keeping clients moving forward towards their goals. Coaching is about achieving meaningful results and living a fulfilling life.
What is Results Coaching?
Results Coaching is for people who simply want more out of life and don’t want to take forever to change. It’s about getting clear on what’s holding you back, where you are stuck and what you need to do to create the shift you desire. It is about brainstorming, forward thinking, action, planning, setting boundaries and staying motivated. With a co-active collaboration in identifying and overcoming self-limitation, it is easier to uncover and replace disempowering beliefs, thought patterns, and sabotaging behaviors such as procrastination, black and white thinking, anxiety, worry, and disorganization. In my process, I like to integrate Hypnosis/Guided Imagery into my coaching which helps seemingly stuck clients gain access to their internal switches for change. They soon discover what had disabled them and made those “switches” faulty in the first place. With a fully-loaded, powerful belief system clients can live knowing as Joseph Campbell said…
“The world is a match for us and we’re a match for the world. And where it seems most challenging lays the greatest invitation to find deeper and greater powers in ourselves.”
What makes Heather different from other Results Coaches?
The main difference is my use of Guided Imagery and making my clients their own custom audios. Coaching deals with the conscious mind: our logical thinking, planning and analyzing. Some clients get clear on what they need to do but find there are some very old beliefs or patterns that keep getting in the way of their succeeding. When I use Guided Imagery and when called for create personal recordings, which deals with the subconscious mind where our habits, memories and beliefs are stored, clients are able to release old patterns and replace them with new ones that generate optimal results.
Why seek a Results Coach?
Here are a few scenarios…
Jump Right In
You’ve got a lot on your mind. You’re overwhelmed with a lot of ideas and nowhere to start. There’s no real problem, but no real passion either. You know you don’t need therapy. However, something has to give so you can start/finish a few things. Great! Let’s begin the discovery and see what we find.
Moving Along
You’ve already started your project, relationship, or business. Something is still missing. Things are not as prescribed. Your body is crabby. You’re not sure what you NEED at this point. Even if you have a clue, it’s been a while since you committed quality time listening to YOURSELF; I am all ears.
Responsibility Overload
Everything is too much. What used to make you feel good is mediocre. You’ve outlived the roles and goals of your day-to-day. Your life has the map of a cul-de-sac. No problem, I’m sure that we can put a fence between the pressures and thus quickly install the power word NO into your vocabulary.
Relationship Tar Pit
Snarling has taken the place of talking. Feeling alive in your relationship has flat-lined. Sex isn’t happening. You’d rather be at work, hanging with the kids, or on the computer. You know from therapy the terms: “mirroring,” (repeating back what YOU HEARD your spouse say) and “getting out of YOUR STORY” (about the other person), etc. Yet, your HOPE has been hijacked. Together, we can explore what vision you have now and encourage you both to step into it.
Worry Mode
Chronic worry, “what-if-ing,” looping thoughts, old scripts, negative attitude… past non-functioning patterns… your mind is just not a team player. It’s the player who misses the ball EVERY TIME. I have the tools/techniques in my playbook to eliminate those old ineffectual habits/patterns/beliefs. Would you like to experience…
- Clarity in direction, both in personal and professional drives? Getting “there” quickly, creatively, and significantly while still enjoying “here”?
- Ease in approaching life’s challenges with the pause instead of push button, thus experiencing the art of timing?
- Organization in all areas: spending time on what’s important, not on what just “comes up”?
- Daily commitment to innate creativity, intuition, and wisdom?
- Constructive and calm responses through life’s struggles?
- Effective guided meditation to de-program your mind of old patterns before you start giving yourself positive suggestions?
- Establishment of clear boundaries with people and events in life?
- Maintaining balance in life so that personal integrity matches up effectively with the universal plan: inner conflicts are cues for communication and change?
What is Therapeutic Imagery?
It is no more complicated than a person closing his/her eyes and listening to a Hypnotherapist’s vivid story. This creates a state of relaxation to tap into the subconscious mind where habits are stored. It is also the part of the brain that can’t distinguish between visualized and real events. Studies have shown that people are able to attain goals more quickly and easily by imagining success beforehand. An example would be a baseball player who visualizes a home run prior to actually hitting one. Guided Imagery is very helpful in areas like: weight loss, creativity, self-confidence, public speaking, and learning.
Do you always combine your Results Coaching with Guided Imagery?
No. I use the tools that we agree upon and that work best for each individual. Some clients only want to brainstorm. Others love to use their imagination to explore new possibilities. No session or client is the same. I don’t use a cookie cutter approach in my work.
What kind of therapy or coaching have you done?
In 1981, at 17 years old, I changed the direction of my life by deciding to live sober. Shortly after that I committed to working with an exceptional therapist, Barbara Barron, for several years. The depth of our work together transformed my life, connecting me to my still small voice and giving me the courage to follow it. I worked with Carolyn McCormick on my career goals from 2003 until she passed away in 2014. As of 2016, I am honored to have David Krueger as my Mentor Coach.
Do any of your clients work with therapists in conjunction with coaching?
Yes. I have several clients who work with psychiatrists and psychotherapists at the same time. In some cases, we work together as a team to provide the clients with the support and direction they need.
What is the benefit of listening to your audio programs?
Listening to the tailored-made Meditative Imagery Audios gives clients daily support in staying focused and motivated. The work we do in our sessions is reinforced easily and efficiently. The combination of guided imagery and brainwave frequency technology makes it an ideal tool for maintaining momentum and sustaining results in clients’ lives. The results of those who have listened regularly to their custom audios is astounding. Really inspiring!
How do we work together?
I work with clients in my office, on the phone, or outside for a walk-and-talk session. If the appointment is by phone, the client calls me.
How long are your sessions?
The first session I take a comprehensive overview to determine the client’s concerns, challenges, and what our focus will be. Following sessions may be half an hour, one hour or longer depending on what the client’s individual needs and wishes are.
How do we start?
You email me and we set up a time to talk to see if we’re a good fit. It has to be mutual or it won’t work. I don’t offer the free coaching session that some do. Trust me, you and I will know if we want to work together after 15 minutes of talking.
What kind of clients do you usually work with?
Most of my clients are post-therapy, which means they know a few things about what makes them tick. “Now what?” seems to be the question on their minds when they come through my door. I have the privilege of working with creative personalities from all income levels: parents, teens, couples, actors, writers, artists, producers, therapists, the self-employed, and the sober bunch.
What do you love most about your career?
I enjoy how personal, real, and fun it is! No matter what we are dealing with my clients know I am right there with them. There’s no Big Me/Little You in my sessions. I often share parts of my life story to let them know I understand. I love the tools I can share because they are the ones that have changed and sustained my life. My career allows me to live in alignment with my calling and passion, which is to share Comfort, Humor and Inspiration with others, both personally and professionally.
What would you say to someone who still isn't sure coaching is for them?
I completely understand. So, go for a walk, come back, read the testimonials and see if you relate to any of the stories. You may or may not. If you relate, email me and I’ll take it from there!
What are the benefits of Brainwave Therapy?
Alpha (7-14 Hz) activates:
- Light relaxation
- Creativity
- Intuition
- Perception
- Emotional Peace
Biochemicals released in an Alpha state:
Acetylcholine (Ach)
- A neurotransmitter
- Growth hormone
- Decreases cholesterol
- Decreases blood pressure levels
- A deficiency of Acetycholine is associated with Alzheimer’s disease
Dopamine
- A neurohormone and neurotransmitter
- Increases heart efficiency
- Increases renal (kidney) blood flow
- Improved emotional state of mind
- Associated with the pleasure centers of the brain and motivation
- Important in Parkinson’s disease
- Important in Depression
Beta (13-40 Hz) activates:
- Alertness
- Concentration
- Cognition
Biochemicals released in an Beta state:
Somatostatin
- Inhibits the secretion of other hormones
- Inhibits the function of the right side of the brain
- High levels may cause emotional instability
Noradrenalin
- Decreases the production of growth hormone
- Increases cholesterol and blood pressure
- Affects the flight-or-fight response, activating the sympathetic nervous system to directly increase heart rate
- Sleeplessness
Theta (4-8 Hz) activates:
- Deep states of meditation
- Enhanced Memory
- Heightened receptivity
- Dreamlike imagery
- Inspiration
- Improved Focus
- Super Learning
- Dream recall
Biochemicals released in a Theta state:
Melatonin
- A ‘pro-hormone” that may inhibit or help the body regulate many other hormonal functions
- Controls the daily cycle of several endocrine hormones
- Helps with sleep
- Improves mood
- Useful in depression
- Helps prevent the depression associated with menopause
- Preventative treatment for migraine sufferers
Serotonin
- Regulates blood pressure
- Stimulates smooth muscle function
- Regulates mood
- Regulates sleep
Delta (0.1-4 Hz) activates:
- Detached Awareness
- Healing
- Deep sleep
- REM sleep
- Access to subconscious activity
- Flow of information from the subconscious mind for clearing and empowerment
- Release of Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Biochemicals released in a Delta state:
Human Growth Hormone
Metabolism of proteins
Stimulates the growth of cartilage
Stimulates bone growth
Gamma (25Hz-100Hz) activates:
- Spiritual awareness
- Integrated thoughts
- Compassion
- Cognitive function
Gamma is a brainwave state that possesses the least amount of research.
It is the most rapid of the frequencies.
One enters the Gamma state during:
- Peak moments of experience
- Bursts of insight
- Processing expansive information