My Approach
The question I hear the most from prospective clients is some version of "what is your approach?" There isn't a stock answer to this question as my work is individually tailored to suit the person and the problem. There are, however, certain elements that I incorporate in my work with every client.
I am a strong believer in working collaboratively. We will set concrete, achievable objectives at the beginning of our work together. Subsequently, I will monitor your progress frequently to gauge your satisfaction. If you're falling behind, we will explore how to fix the problem. Throughout, I will encourage you to provide me with feedback.
I operate from the belief that the best answer to my clients’ problems lie within them. As a result, I see my primary role as being a facilitator of creative conversations that help you tap into your uniquely valuable life experiences and wisdom - what have you felt passionate about, what's worked for you, and what hasn't? The "out-of-the-box" thinking I developed during my many years in advertising help me ask the kinds of questions that illuminate undiscovered possibilities, and the objectivity and years of experience I bring to this process enable me to see patterns of success or blocks to progress that are often invisible to clients whose deep personal involvement may make them unable to “see the forest for the trees”. In every case, though, I utilize a highly interactive style. The combination of creative problem-solving and building strong interpersonal relationships are the reasons I love the work that I do.
Another essential piece of my approach is liberating people from the illusion that they are victims of what has happened to them, and teaching them how to direct both their creative energies and their responses to outside event in ways that maximize personal achievement and fulfillment.
For the portions of a problem or issue that I believe to be emotional, psychological, or spiritual, I utilize all of the knowledge and many of the techniques I’ve acquired as a psychotherapist. I pride myself on being able to listen, question and come to understand my clients in a way most therapists or life coaches can’t, because they haven’t been there and don’t know the territory.
For many people, what I do isn't therapy at all, as my function for them is to serve as a source of objectivity, information, experience, insight, inspiration and/or accountability. I often assist in improving resumes, or suggesting specific networking avenues. But the one aspect of my work common to all my clients is that it is solution-focused.
Most importantly, I always strive to create respectful, trusting and non-judgmental relationships with my clients. Out of those relationships come the best insights, the best ideas, and the best solutions to my clients' problems.
The career work I do is unique in that it is based on my own background, with success in three entirely different careers, and three entirely different cities (NY, LA, and DC). As a result, I’ve learned a great deal about successful transition - from personal experience.
I will individually tailor a meeting program to accommodate your schedule. My experience over the years has been that 50 minute once-a-week sessions are fine for certain kinds of issues, but that others are more amenable to a schedule of less frequent sessions, allowing adequate time for you to begin taking the steps we decide on in our work together, including reading assignments and action initiatives.
Read the Current newspaper's January 2011 profile of me and my work (pages load slowly):
http://www.currentnewspapers.com/admin/uploadfiles/NW%20JAN%2012%201.pdf