My professional focus is, but not limited to, Anxiety, Technology overuse, Self-esteem, Relocation, Grief, Divorce, and Performance Anxiety.

My clients are teens (high school age), young adults, and the parents or guardians.

CORE Success is an approach to coaching that is built on the concept that we are not defined by our weaknesses but by our strengths. To help identify the person, and recognize the weaknesses, not identify the person by their weakness.

The theory of emotional intelligence (or EQ) posits that there are multiple types of intelligence beyond the commonly held idea of intelligence as a cognitive resource.

Emotional intelligence refers to our “ability to perceive and express emotion, assimilate emotion in thought, understand and reason with emotion, and regulate emotion in the self and others’’ (Mayer, Salovey, & Caruso, 2000, p. 396).

Those high in emotional intelligence are thought to be effective at managing their own emotions and are good at identifying and considering others’ emotions. Conversely, those low in emotional intelligence rarely stop to think about what they are feeling and are more likely to misread others’ motives and intentions. Knowledge of emotional intelligence will help clients recognize emotions as valuable sources of information (to understand one’s own or others’ motivations, values, and needs.).

Transformative learning theory argues that people have a specific worldview informed by their experiences. This view acts like a frame of reference, which affects how we interpret events, assign meaning to the things that happen to us, and interact with our environment.

These frames of reference are elicited and operate unconsciously. This means that if we do not explore our frames of reference and understand our ingrained thought patterns, we remain at a disadvantage when we attempt to grow and change our habits. Developing an awareness for how we process events is central to achieving transformative change.

Cognitive-behavioral theory is grounded in the combination of behavior theory and cognitive theory. The principles of the theory are widely used in therapeutic settings to help clients understand their thoughts and change their reactions and behaviors.

A key model stemming from cognitive behavioral theory is the ABC model. The theory describes a process whereby activating events(A) trigger beliefs (B), which lead to consequences (C) pertaining to our emotions and subsequent behaviors. This helps clients to challenge and change problematic beliefs in order to facilitate more positive consequences, such as lessened anxiety or increased adaptivity.

Experiential learning theory is a model of adult learning that essentially argues the benefits of learning by doing. The theory informs that individuals learn through a cyclical process of concrete learning, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation (practice).

All phases of this cyclical process encourage a client to reflect on their actions and their consequences. For instance, within the context of the ABC model, coaches can invite clients to experiment with adopting new, more adaptive, beliefs in response to challenging activating events.

The hands-on principles of experiential learning apply well, wherein the client is positioned as the driver of the relationship and the focus is on his/her day-to-day behaviors that serve as opportunities for experimentation and learning.