I get asked a lot What is transformative counseling? And how is it more effective than traditional therapy?
How does transformative counseling work?
Regardless of whether you’re talking about a relationship, your health, your money, your work, most problems can be solved and most situations can be improved (significantly enough to have you say that was worth doing!) by exploring or learning one or more of the following:
Limiting beliefs. These show up in what you tell yourself on a regular basis. They sabotage your mindset and mood which have a negative effect on your performance.
Costly habits vs. habits that support
Best practices
Tools to create a vision or set and achieve goals
Most clients benefit from looking at a combination of the above to learn what’s been getting in their way. While discovering these things, clients create a plan of action to achieve the goals they want. And apply elements from the above list that are necessary to support their success. A plan of action to achieve your goals, someone to encourage you when you need a boost. A key element of my coaching is to help clients know what’s working in their plan and modify what isn’t. Also valuable, a coach offers accountability which is vital for success. Because the great achievements are never achieved solo.
I’ve been in traditional therapy. Not much changed in my life. How is what you do different?
Good old-fashioned counseling can help us learn why we are the way we are, to work through some issues, and provide emotional support. Yet it often stops there, leaving you thinking that not much has improved in your life. You’re not much happier. To make long-lasting changes, most of us need more. Transformative counseling involves you taking a deeper look into the thoughts and beliefs that hold you back. It has you make an assessment of your best practices, the things you do that make reaching your goals easier. Equally important, it involves you discovering the costly habits that get in your way, that have you struggle unnecessarily. My clients create a plan of action to make the changes they want: whether it’s making work more rewarding, improving a relationship, managing a life transition like an empty nest, a divorce, or retirement. They take the steps to make the meaningful changes to improve the quality of their life. This last point is key. When you work with me, I’ll be by your side as you make progress. Think of how a coach is most effective. They help you to be aware of what you’re doing that’s working, and problem-solve with you to address and change what’s not working. That is critical information that you want to have in order to maintain your newfound success and fulfillment.
What should I look for in hiring someone?
Ask about their experience. How long have they been doing it? Tell them the results you want to achieve. Be as specific as you can, and then ask them how they would go about helping you do that. That will give you a clearer sense of their ability to help you.
There are thousands of therapists, counselors, and life coaches out there. Many of whom have just taken a course and received a certification. Or have received coaching around a particular issue and then start coaching other people with that same issue. I say this not to make you nervous but to encourage you to invest your time and energy wisely to find a qualified, experienced expert. The field of personal development isn’t regulated the same way other mental health professions like social work and psychology are. Where the professional has hundreds of hours of work supervised by a seasoned professional.
My point is, your well-being is way too important to settle for anything less than working with a highly-skilled professional. Someone who knows what questions to ask you so you can discover what specifically has been holding you back. Someone who is very familiar with the tools and techniques that are available to help you.
Your well-being is way too important to settle for anything less than working with an experienced professional.
Is transformational counseling for me?
Yes, if you want your life to be better. If you’re tired of feeling unsatisfied, or stuck, or frustrated as you don’t know how to go about getting what you want. To feel fulfilled and be excited about your life. Whether it has to do with a relationship, your health, your money, your work.
If you’re still not sure if this is for you or how to find the best person for you, I invite you to get in touch with me. Whether you end up working with me or someone else, I want you to get started. Life’s too short for you to wait any longer.