Frequently Asked Questions
Since you are a medical doctor, will my medical insurance pay for my coaching services with you?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. As a coach, I am out of the treatment role. I will not give you a diagnosis that stays with you forever. I will not keep a discoverable medical record. No one will know you are working with me, unless you chose to share it. The coaching structure removes the fear of stigma, license loss, your requirement to report treatment for a mental condition, and so on. Depending on the nature of your profession and job, you might be able to claim your coaching costs as a business expense. Many of my clients do that.
Since you are a medical doctor, and do medically informed coaching, will you prescribe my medications?
For the reasons mentioned above, I am no longer “treating” patients. That said, I am happy to review your medications, medical conditions, and concerns. We can explore lifestyle and holistic interventions to address what ails you. I am happy to partner with you, in working with your prescribing physicians, to help you decrease, change, or even taper off medications.
What is the difference between coaching, psychotherapy and medical treatment?
Great question! Especially since I have ALWAYS done coaching as part of my medical and psychotherapy practice.
Coaching involves identifying and implementing strategies to help you reach your own goals of enhanced performance and personal satisfaction. You might choose to focus on specific personal projects, life balance, job performance and satisfaction, or general conditions in your life, business, or profession. Coaching utilizes personal strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, motivational counseling, and other counseling techniques.
Psychotherapy involves the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and nervous disorders. The goals of psychotherapy include alleviating symptoms, understanding the underlying dynamics which create symptoms, changing dysfunctional behaviors which are the result of these disorders, and developing new strategies for successfully coping with the psychological challenges which we all face.
There is clearly overlap between coaching, and psychotherapy. In my mind, what most separates coaching from therapy, is the role you play in the process. In a coaching relationship, you identify personal goals, and are responsible for charting your path forward. The coach is your advisor, champion, and partner, in the process. In psychotherapy, the therapeutic relationship, rather than your specific goals, is considered primary to change. And, of course, you wind up with a diagnosis or two which can create challenge!
Medical treatment goes a step further by putting the power for change within the hands of the “provider”. Of course, when you seek medical treatment, you are given a diagnosis. In today’s “health-care” universe, once you have that diagnosis, specific interventions tend to follow. These interventions, increasingly focus on things being done to you, like taking medications, rather than things you can do to transform your life and experience.
What makes you different as a coach?
My background includes a wide range of experiences; an undergraduate degree from Cornell University, a Medical degree from The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; 35 years of experience working with clients, leaders, and individuals just like you, long lasting experience as a small business owner in my own private practice, many teaching, writing and speaking roles, at least 4 medical directorships, and a chief medical officer role, while always coaching my clients, peers, and colleagues.
I am also the mother of 4 adult children, two biological sons, and two daughters adopted from Asian countries. And, I have 2 grandsons. I am married for the second time; the first time for 25 years, my current marriage 10 years. I know the challenges of being a parent, spouse, working mom, and of trying to make life work in a challenging universe.
I am passionate about empowering every one of us to bring our best forward. I believe in the power we each possess to transform for good, and in the unflagging resilience of the human spirit. We all need what you, and you alone, have to offer! And, I would be honored to help you bring your best forward!
What does it cost to work with you?
When we do our discovery call, assuming we are a good fit for one another, we will come up with a coaching plan. Once our scope of work is defined, I will be able to give you a specific price for the package, and deliverables.