During my time as a clinical psychologist working as a federal employee before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed that many of my clients didn’t have mental health diagnoses. However, they presented to therapy because they needed support and clarity but had nowhere else to get it.

As part of a management training program during my time in the Federal Government, I participated in my first Executive Coaching sessions. I was having difficulties with a supervisor and was feeling frustrated with a few co-workers. My coach was phenomenal! She was warm and caring, but also firm and willing to hold my feet to the fire. She helped me identify what I could control in these interactions as well as how to change my perspective and manage my stress more effectively. She also helped me learn that I didn’t know how to appropriately express my frustration (and anger, at times) at work, which kept me from speaking up for myself, which led me to feel frustrated in other areas of life. Through some role playing, journaling, and those enlightening coaching questions, I picked up the skills that I needed to be successful in work, at home, and in my own mind.

As a part of another training (and about a year later), I entered my second episode of coaching. This coach was equally as warm, but seemed more interested in engaging in what felt more like therapy…which I did not sign up for! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been in therapy a handful of times, but this person was a certified coach, not a licensed mental health provider. The differences between my experiences had me curious about what it takes to become a coach, so I enrolled in a training program.

I earned my certification in professional coaching from iPEC in 2023. During that journey, I was reminded of how important it is to be aligned with my values. And, when there was conflict, I noted that I was not intentionally living my chosen life. Also, I noticed that I was not consistently showing up how I wanted in the life that I worked so hard to create. Although I was serving others in that work role in mostly meaningful ways, I was also not serving myself. I was not caring for myself before caring for others.

Becoming an Experience Coach in addition to being a therapist has allowed me to honor my values of helping others, working hard, and being intentional in my life. I certainly don’t always “get it right” - just ask my son about morning drop offs…overall, they’re much better, now. And I’ve given myself the time and space to do that work to consistently show up as that better version of me, everywhere I chose to be. It’s a process!