Here, I’ll tell you a bit more about what to expect
from our coaching relationship.
So, you’ve decided you’re ready to become a more well-rounded human. You’re in the right place. Now what?
Step 1: Are we a good fit?
I work with a wide variety of clients, with three specialties:
LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly (but not exclusively) those who identify as men.
Nonprofit/NGO/humanitarian workers, or those who feel called to help others.
People struggling with sex and/or relationships.
That said, many of my clients don’t fall into any of those categories! The best way to know if we’re a good fit is to schedule a free Discovery Call. We’ll both have a sense by the end of that conversation.
If you’re still unsure, consider whether any of these statements resonate with you:
I feel stuck, like I'm not progressing in one or more areas of my life, and I want to change that.
I struggle to balance different aspects of my life, the most classic example being work-life balance.
I wrestle with moral concerns about my impact on the world, or feel like I’m not doing enough.
I’d benefit from accountability and support in building healthy routines or reaching goals.
I face unique challenges working in the nonprofit sector and need guidance navigating them.
I feel like an outsider, in my family or amongst my peers, especially as a result of being LGBTQ+.
If any of these apply to you, I encourage you to fill out the 10-minute interest form.
You’ve thoughtfully completed the Interest Form. What happens next?
Step 2: Discovery
I will reach out as soon as I can to schedule our Discovery Call. (Note: I reserve the right not to move forward after reviewing your form, but I would communicate my decision compassionately and remain open to questions.)
Our 30-45 minute Discovery Call is a chance for us to get to know each other. I’ll likely have some follow-up questions based on your form, but mostly I’ll just want to learn more about you and your personality.
This is also your opportunity to ask me anything about my coaching style, policies, or expectations.
Lastly we’ll cover some housekeeping, such as my limitations as a coach, my confidentiality policy, my expectations for clients, and pricing.
Upon request, I can provide client references—past or present—so you can hear about their experiences.
The “key three” I expect from my clients:
Commitment: Coaching isn’t overnight magic. I require new clients to start with five sessions because meaningful change takes time. If you’re feeling stuck, I don’t want you to get discouraged after just one or two sessions.
Momentum: Especially for the first five sessions, weekly meetings are ideal. After that, we can adjust the schedule as needed, but we’ll start strong.
Implementation: Talking isn’t enough. Each session will end with action points to implement. Not every week will be perfect, but consistent effort will matter.
We’ve mutually decided that we’d work great together, and we’ve decided to move forward with five intro sessions.
Step 3: Getting everything ready
Before we begin, a few things need to happen.
You’ll need to review and sign (digitally via DocuSign) our coaching agreement (here’s a template, subject to change), which details everything you need to know about our coaching relationship. Most importantly, I am not a medical professional and coaching is distinct from therapy. I’ll be happy to explore the differences with you.
The first five sessions must be paid in advance via PayPal or Wise (or another method if needed). This ensures commitment to the process. If you feel uncomfortable with payment up front, we can discuss alternatives.
You’ll complete an Onboarding Form 24-48 hours prior to our first session, so the answers are fresh in your mind and I have enough time to review your responses. This will take 30-45 minutes, and is designed to get you thinking more deeply about where you are right now, and where you hope to be in the future.
After you complete 1 and 2, we’ll schedule our first session!
We’ve done all of the housekeeping, and now the real fun begins. Here’s what our sessions generally look like.
Step 4: Our First Five Sessions
Sessions typically last between 50 and 60 minutes. Our first session will be slightly more structured—I’ll ask follow-up questions from your onboarding form, and we’ll set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). We’ll also discuss routines and habits that align with your goals. We’ll leave 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the session to set intentions for the week ahead.
After that, sessions become more personalized. Every coaching relationship is unique, and I tailor my approach accordingly.
Some clients prefer active practice (e.g., guided meditation), while others prefer discussion and strategy-building. Some like advice from my experiences, while others prefer self-guided discovery. Together, we’ll learn what works best for you and our coaching relationship.
At Session #4: We’ll discuss whether you want to continue beyond five sessions. About half of my clients continue coaching; others feel they’ve gained the tools to move forward independently. Zero hard feelings either way!
If we decide to wrap up, Session #5 will focus on reflecting on your progress and taking an inventory of the toolkit available to you in the future.
Session Staples
"Win of the Week" – We start each session by celebrating an achievement. And in my coaching, a "win" is based on effort, not outcome. For example:
Not a win: “I got hired for a job” would be an outcome that you ultimately can’t control.
Win: “I nailed my interview preparation” could be the effort we focus on.
It could also be super small. Some days, making your bed or doing the dishes can feel incredibly difficult. Let’s celebrate that achievement together!
Setting intentions for the week – We close each session with a goal or focus for the upcoming week. These could be:
Daily habits: "I’ll use Duolingo every night before bed."
Milestones: "I’ll finally have that tough conversation I’ve been avoiding."
Or anything in between.
Between-Session Messaging – I encourage check-ins between sessions! While I can’t reply to everything immediately, I love hearing about your progress.
Now let’s work together to figure out what comes next.
Step 5: Deciding What’s Next
After our introductory sessions, our coaching relationship can continue in many forms. Here are some examples:
Continue Weekly – Keep the momentum going and expand your goals. We can set a target number of sessions or go open-ended.
Biweekly Coaching – We shift to every two weeks, with written check-ins on weeks we don’t meet. (I prefer not to meet more sporadically than biweekly to maintain momentum, but special cases may allow it.)
A Set Break – Some clients pause for 1-2 months to apply what they’ve learned, then check back in.
Toward the end of our five sessions, we’ll discuss which option suits you best. Regardless of what you choose, I genuinely enjoy staying in touch with past clients and keeping up with their journeys.
A coaching relationship is a unique bond. It’s not necessarily a friendship (though it can be), but it’s a mutual investment in growth that can last for years.
I look forward to going on this journey with you.