COACHING

Great question. Life Coaches are similar to counselors or therapists, yet there are fundamental differences. Coaching focuses on the quality of a client’s personal life, relationships, and overall physical life. Life coaching addresses these issues from a present-time perspective, emphasizing client-centered evaluation and goal setting. From a Life Coaching perspective, the client holds the key to their transformation. The coach’s responsibility is to highlight and illuminate the clients’ key strengths and gifts, teach new skills, and better manage life changes, health, and personal challenges. Life coaching is an evolving and engaging practice that is flexible, supportive, non-judgmental, and compassionate.

A fundamental difference between a Life coach and other therapy professionals is that coaching doesn’t claim to have the answers. While therapists often focus on the past and work through old issues, coaching focuses on forward motion and helping clients find their own answers.

Additionally, coaches do not prescribe medications or diagnose mental illness. However, many coaches work in tandem with other helping professionals to support the client in a unique way. Coaches are trained to be diligent and aware of their scope of practice and will refer accordingly.

Because there are no legal requirements for life-coach training or certification, anyone can call him or herself a life coach. Though anyone can use the title “life coach,” coaches can receive accreditation from authorities such as the International Coach Federation or the International Association of Coaching. These and other accrediting associations offer hands-on training and classroom courses in core competencies and coaching ethics, after which students must take a coaching exam to earn their accreditation or certification. Though not legally necessary, this certification is a benchmark among professional coaches.

Not all life coaches are certified by an accredited professional school. Coaching is a self-regulated profession, which means anyone can call themselves a coach, regardless of training. Certification is essential because life coaching is a profession that requires particular skills, ethical standards, and a foundation of training only taught in qualified schools. Always inquire about specific coach training and certification when looking for a coach.

Aleka Thorvalson has advanced training and certification from the International Coaching Academy, one of the most highly acclaimed coach training institutions in the United States. This certification requires rigorous training and supervised practice. In addition, the ICA is fully accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF), which is the organization that sets and monitors international standards for professional coaching ethics, training, and practices.

Additionally, Aleka has earned the ICF’s prestigious Professional Certified Coaching (PCC) credentials. This means she has demonstrated advanced coaching skills, experience, theory, and practice, documenting more than 750 hours of coaching.

The term Holistic is rooted in “holism,” which theoretically states that the parts of any whole cannot exist or be understood except in their relation to the whole. But together, they have a functional relationship. As such, all aspects of a person, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects, must be considered for positive change.

We are much more than blood, chemistry, bones, and cellular tissue. We are complex, multi-systemic beings, and the symptoms of any dysfunction must be seen from this larger context. Holistic Life Coaching then focuses on all aspects of a client’s life. Holistic Life Coaches observe the client as a system within a system that includes physical, emotional, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and social perspectives.

There is a tendency for some people to think of religion when they hear the word spirituality. There can be important distinctions between the two, however. In my work, that part of us that connects to something bigger can have many names, practices, and forms. Whether we call it SELF or god, our job is to find it within ourselves because it can help us navigate the uncertainty of change and help direct our path of purpose and inspiration. As a coach, my job is to help you find your most optimal path forward, and I welcome all traditions and beliefs. 

A competent coach will have satisfied clients who have made significant changes in their lives. Therefore, they should be willing to share quality references with potential clients.

YES! I have clients all over the world. We can meet via zoom, phone, and other virtual platforms.

You are, first and foremost, investing in a better YOU. You are investing in change, in soul work, in healing, and in a profound transformational process of discovery.

Coaching is done by a per hour basis and a time commitment based on your specific goals. Coaching cost per hour is $225*.

• Coaching fee includes session time as well as email or text contact (within reason) for the duration of our coaching contract.

• Payment is taken before or at the time of service.

• Payment options include: cash, pay pal, or venmo.

Trust is paramount to a healthy therapeutic relationship. Therefore, I hold confidentiality to be of vital importance in our relationship. I agree that any information discussed with a client within the context of a session is confidential between the coach and the client. This information cannot be released or discussed with a third party unless the client gives permission. If I feel like it is in your best interest to discuss your case with another professional or with another party, I will ask for your consent. There are a few exceptions to this rule, which include the threat of harm to yourself or another person if there is a crime involving a child, elderly, or disabled person.

In addition, working with families or minors can become a bit more complicated in regards to confidentiality. Therefore, I always make it a point to speak openly about all boundaries so an atmosphere of trust and safety is upheld.  For a more detailed explanation regarding my policies for service please take a look at my coaching contract. For further questions, please feel free to contact me.

For more information about the ethics and regulations I adhere to please visit the International Coaching Federation’s ethics and regulation page.