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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Integral Coaching® all about?
How is it different than other types of coaching styles?
How is a Life coach different than a Business coach?
What is the difference between a coach and a counsellor (therapist)?
What happens if I need a counsellor (therapist)?
What if I want help with very specific things and I don't want to change my whole life?
Do I have to learn to be Integral or learn Integral concepts?
Can you coach anybody?
Have you ever had a client you couldn't coach?
Are some clients hard to work with?
How long does somebody usually see you?
How long is each session?
I've heard you give homework, what does that entail?
Is there always homework?
What happens if I don't do my homework?
What is an Integral Life Practice® (ILP or ITP)?
Can you phone coach?
Can you coach over the internet?
Do you work internationally?
Can you coach couples, groups?
Are coaching sessions very formal?
How much do your sessions cost?
Why is coaching more expensive than counseling?
What is you personal philosophy of life?
What guides your coaching work?


What is Integral Coaching® all about?
Integral Coaching® is a style of coaching that embraces everything; literally every understanding of life, every aspect of human individuality and culture can be held within an Integral Approach. In order to be an Integral Coach® one has to have an embodied understanding of the Integral Approach and be living an Integral lifestyle. The Integral Approach allows me to look at all areas of your life and understand how they all are connected and influence each other. In other words, Integral provides a means to take all aspects of you into account. No part of you is left out, even paradoxes and conflicting aspects of your self are essential within this work. The great benefit to this is, since no aspect of your life is neglected, when you start working towards your goals, your entirety is taken into account, and all of you sustainably moves in the direction of your desires.
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How is Integral Coaching® different than other types of coaching styles?
There are a few differences. One - While most coaching styles use a specific framework or model, the Integral Approach utilizes the largest framework currently known to us. In fact, because of its design, Integral can synthesize all other coaching models and methods (behavioral, psychological, relational, cultural, systems dynamics, etc). This allows me to utilize any approach that would benefit a client. I'm not limited by the confines of a limited model. Two - Integral Coaching® honours and takes all of you into account. This means every aspect of who you are is invited to come forward and show how it is influencing your life. Your entirety is continually involved and evolved in the process. Third - Integral Coaching® demands that, as your coach I am embodying an Integral way of living. This style of coaching is powerful because you will see what's happening, as well as, understand and feel it.
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How is a life coach different than a business coach?
As I see it: a life coach works with you to accomplish goals within areas of your life, which may also involve or affect your professional life and business endeavors. Whereas, a business coach helps you to become better at the actual dynamics of the business you are involved in.
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What is the difference between a coach and a counselor (therapist)?
How I define this: A coach helps you gain clarity about your goals or desires, and works with you to plan and achieve them. A counselor/therapist helps you understand and deal with a problem or difficulty you are having. Counselors tend to use therapeutic modalities. Coaches utilize more program-style modalities. Sometimes there can be a grey area between the two, and during some coaching sessions there can be a bit of counseling. Depending on his/her training and skills, a coach may be able to incorporate therapeutics within a coaching session, if you both believe it will assist in the coaching work.
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What happens if I need a counselor (therapist)?
When working with you, I stay tuned to the broad range of possibilities that may support you achieving your goals. If an issue arises that appears to require more specific therapeutic techniques, then I will suggest that you also see a counselor/therapist. As there are many types of counselors, we can discuss what style would be best for you. I may be able to make recommendations.
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What if I want help with very specific things and I don't want to change my whole life?
People may feel stuck in one area, in many, or in their entire life. We work together to define exactly what you wish to change. What unfolds as you start the work may influence other areas of your life that you initially felt fine about. What is fascinating about this work, and important for you to realize is, that it is you who will be changing, not simply things about you. You will gain new ways of seeing your entire life, not simply the areas you want help with. That said, the focus and plan of your program is always aligned with the specific areas in your life you want to develop.
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Do I have to learn to be Integral or learn Integral concepts?
Not at all. If it appears a specific Integral concept may be useful to help you understand something better, then I'll introduce it to you. Yet, overall, the Integral Approach is something that is operating in the background and within the process. You simply experience the benefits.
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Can you coach anybody?
In theory, everybody can be coached. Personally, I have chosen to be a bit more particular. As a coach I work hard to understand who you are, design programs and practices for you, and support you as fully as I can while you move towards your goals. I request a similar type of commitment from my clients. I can help you find the door, yet you have to walk through. If, over time, a person consistently appears unwilling to really step into his/her own change process, then I would discuss and plan for ending our work together.
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Have you ever had a client you couldn't coach?
While I have not had any clients that I could not coach, I have had clients that wanted something from me that I could not provide. At that point, I had to suggest they seek somebody else.
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Are some clients hard to work with?
My work is to help you become better at what you wish to do, achieve your goals, move towards your desires. If a client is not willing to do the work that is required to make change or initiate growth, then it can be difficult to work with this person. If a client is not willing to look at his/her resistance, then this too can make it difficult to help this person out.
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How long does somebody usually see you?
This depends on what a person wishes to achieve and what type of program they choose to be involved in. Lasting change requires consistent stretching and building of a new way of being. At the beginning of a Comprehensive Coaching Program, I offer an estimated length of how long the program will be. This is an individualized calibration based on who you are, where you are, and what you wish to accomplish. As we move further into your program we'll periodically review the time frame to determine how we are doing. Of course, if you choose a Condensed Coaching Program, this last only two sessions. You can book follow-ups whenever you wish.
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How long is each session?
In the Comprehensive Coaching Program the first two sessions tend to each be about two hours long, as we cover a lot of territory and material in these first sessions. Subsequent sessions are roughly 1-1.5h long. In a Condensed Coaching Program each of the two sessions also lasts roughly two hours. Integral Counsel Sessions are booked in half hour segments. Average counsel sessions are 1.5-2h long. These can often be adjusted on in the moment to account for more time.
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I've heard you give homework, what does that entail?
The practices (homework) that I give you are designed to do two things. One, to show you the patterns you are cycling within, how they are preventing you from moving onwards, and how pervasive these patterns are within your entirety. And two, build the new insights and abilities you will require to move from where you currently are, to where you wish to be. Each client requires different practices or techniques for his/her unique situation. This might entail doing something distinct before we meet again. It may mean a daily practice for a while. It could mean setting some time aside to reflect on something and make notes. It might also entail going somewhere or seeing somebody to experience something of benefit. Each practice is specifically designed for you, based on where you currently are, and what you are working towards.
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Is there always homework/practices?
There usually will always be something to take away with you; practices are an essential element of every coaching program I create. Each session will provide us with the raw material we are working with, and will inform me of the course you are on. The goal of the practices is not to overwhelm you or take up your precious time. I will request your continual feedback about how the practices are fitting into your life, and make adjustments to meet your reality. The purpose of homework is to start shifting and stretching who you are, shaping new ways of seeing and moving. Practices provide you with the concrete means and the methods you require to move along your own path, to achieve your desires. It's practice, not ideas, that will shape your life.
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What happens if I don't do my homework?
You get a slap on the wrist. I'm kidding. If you don't do the homework, you won't gain the benefits of that particular practice. We'll explore why you didn't do it, look at what that means with regards to what is going on in your life, and how it relates to your progress. Practices are continually modulated to meet you where you presently are. I often suggest that if you are having difficulty with a practice, contact me, and we'll take a look at what's going on.
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What is an Integral Life Practice (ILP or ITP)?
ITP stands for Integral Transformative Practice, also known as ILP, Integral Life Practice. This is a comprehensive program that is individually designed to train a person for his/her life. The main premise is, that if a person wants to continually evolve, grow and mature there are practices that have been researched and demonstrated to consistently provide transformative development. While many of these practices have been around for a long time (some of them for thousands of years), the structure of the ITP/ILP has only become formalized within the last few years. Pioneers of human transformation research, including Mike Murphy, George Leonard and Ken Wilber, have created beautiful frameworks that allow consistent growth in an integral (holistic plus) format. This is a particular program that I can set up, and follow with a client. The ILP is a powerful program for people who are very serious about their personal development. Freedom, fullness and fun are all found within the rigor of an ILP. Feel free to ask me for more details.
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Can you phone coach?
Yes, certainly. We set up a time, and you call me.
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Can you coach over the internet?
Yes. I use Skype or Apple's iChat to work face-to-face video with clients.
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Do you work internationally?
Yes. I have several international clients. We predominantly use Skype or iChat for our sessions. Depending on our schedules, we juggle time zones to find the best time for us both to meet. If, due to travel situations, it works out that we can meet each other face-to-face, that is often a pleasure to make happen.
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Can you coach couples, groups?
Definitely. Depending on the situation, a change in length of session time, place and cost may need to be discussed and arranged.
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Are coaching sessions very formal?
No, they are usually quite informal. Come relaxed. Dress comfortably. Bring a beverage.
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How much do your sessions cost?
The cost of a coaching session is based on our mutual valuation of your program. Collaboratively we decide what is reasonable for you to pay based on your income and the value of the work you wish to participate in. The standard market price for a Certified Integral Coach® is $250 per session. The leading edge of Integral Coaches® charge roughly $500 per session. I provide the highest quality Integral Coaching® to any person who is dedicated to the work of their personal development. It is from this place that I wish to ensure those who have a minimal income can also afford the highest quality of coaching available. During our initial conversation we will discuss the session rate we both feel is reasonable for you to pay and for me to receive, in order to maintain mutual value and program dedication. Do not let the discomfort of discussing money discourage you from going for what you want to achieve.

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Why is coaching more expensive than counseling?
A well designed Integral Coaching® program requires a significant amount of on-going skill and embodiment from the coach in order to fully meet the client and their desires for change. A thorough coaching program also requires a substantial amount of time and energy to create and then maintain. Separate from the actual sessions, each client's initial program development is about a 3-5h process. Each subsequent session demands around an hour plus of prep and follow-up time. A good Integral Coaching® relationship requires a very substantial commitment from both the coach and the client. The value of this depth of work is what guides the cost of Integral Coaching® programs.
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What is you personal philosophy of life?
Now that's a big question. Put simply, I believe we are here to realize, and then actualize, who we truly are. In that work, much will manifest and evolve. Yet, the truth of who I am, who you are, who we are, is always right here. The rest is a pure beautiful astounding humorous adventure.
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What guides your coaching work?
Love, compassion, depth, wisdom, creativity, integrity and unknowing. My gifts lie in helping people become who they want to be. I am guided by my own internal compass, with consistent tweaks from my teachers. My insights and knowledge are informed by constant study and training within various fields. As well, my work is informed by the constant wisdom in the beauty that is always unfolding as who we are.
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