Coaching
Through coaching, Dr. Agree helps high-functioning individuals develop goals and chart a course towards personal and professional achievement. Coaching is a fairly focused endeavor: Dr. Agree will help you define and implement specific objectives that you deem meaningful and essential to your success.
History
Coaching evolved from humanistic and person-centered psychotherapy. It was a reaction to the notion that therapy is for the mentally ill, which developed largely from efforts to render therapy a covered expense under medical insurance. Unfortunately, this promulgated an association between all therapy and mental illness, which is incorrect. Therapy is a treatment for mental illness, as well as myriad other psychological conditions.
If the idea of therapy feels uneasy, coaching with Dr. Agree gives you access to premier psychological support, while reducing any concerns surrounding the stigma of being a therapy patient.
Therapy vs. Coaching
Both therapy and coaching involve exploring the mind, developing control and achieving mastery. The differences lie in focus and depth. Coaching is more limited in scope and shorter in duration. The focus of coaching is generally narrower and more directed than therapy, as it is geared towards the specific domains you wish to address.
If you believe yourself to be mentally healthy but wish to improve your life in certain ways, and do not wish to be considered a therapy patient, then you may prefer coaching. In either case, it is your journey, and Dr. Agree is pleased to help you navigate it in the direction of your choosing.
Choosing an expert
Unlike other coaches, Dr. Agree draws from her knowledge and experience as a licensed psychologist and accomplished attorney. Many people refer to themselves as “coaches,” but Dr. Agree combines psychological science and theory with a practical ground game to help you advance to the next level.
In addition, since she operates under a psychology license, Dr. Agree is required to observe the highest professional and ethical standards in the industry.
Initial meeting
During your initial meeting, Dr. Agree will listen to what brings you in, what you are happy with and unhappy with, and the kinds of changes you would like to make. Before the end of the session, she will offer her perspective, whether she believes she can help, and also answer any questions you may have.
Read more about Your First Visit.
History & assessment
The assessment process takes two to three meetings. Dr. Agree will inquire about your background and personal history. She will also conduct a short assessment battery. These measures serve to reveal aspects of your personality of which you may not be aware, and provide new perspectives on the facets you already know about yourself. Most people come away from this process with a new appreciation of their strengths and challenges.
Written compilation
Dr. Agree will compile and analyze the information she has gathered over the past several meetings together with the assessment results, and will draft a written formulation containing important aspects of your history, personality and subjective experience, together with an analysis of how these items relate to your stated goals and objectives. This is an informal document for the two of you to review together, discuss and modify so that you believe it accurately your challenges and goals.
A customized process
Coaching sessions are recommended at least once a week, for as long as you desire. With the assessment results as a guide, Dr. Agree will work with you to enhance your self-understanding and develop the skills required to achieve your objectives. The process itself is completely customized, and is developed pursuant to your individual goals, strengths and preferences.
Tracking Progress
Because your success is important to Dr. Agree, she incorporates multiple methods to monitor your progress, including periodic reviews of the formulation. Doing this together gives you the opportunity to observe and track your own changes and make appropriate revisions to your goals. It also provides an opening to discuss what you find to be more or less effective, and anything you would like Dr. Agree to change.
Measuring Satisfaction
Your satisfaction is vital to Dr. Agree. She incorporates additional measures throughout your relationship in order to be sure she is addressing your concerns. Also, since growth often occurs in unexpected ways, she embraces opportunities to experiment with different methods and explore unchartered territory.
Coaching has been described as
helping generally well functioning people create and achieve goals, maximize personal development, and navigate transitions on the path to realizing their ideal vision for the current and emerging chapters of their lives. The coach supports the client’s efforts to engage in lifelong learning, navigate any obstacles, delegate or let go of energy draining situations, honor challenges, and celebrate successes.1
– Coaching, A New Frontier
1) Auerbach, J., as cited in Harris, Eric A. Coaching, A New Frontier: Some Questions and Answers. www.apait.org/apait/resources/articles. Date unknown.
