Frequently Asked Questions

*Parent and/ or Parent/Adolescent Programs regarding Risk and Protective factors, drug and alcohol use and Adolescent brain development. Social Media/Gaming and Cyber-bullying, Effective Co-parenting, Healthy families and communication, LBGTQ issues, sexuality and healthy dating, ADD/ADHD, Motivation- The perfectionists and the school avoidant.

*School District Staff Development or Corporate Trainings regarding Leadership, Diversity, Trauma Informed Care, Motivation and the Seven Levels of Energy, Crisis Intervention and Postvention support and programming.

*Partners groups regarding proactive communications and collaboration. Surviving and Peacefully Negotiating Separation and Divorce, Values assessment Seminar-Commonalities and differences and how to co-exist.

*Workshops and webinars can also be tailored to address your group’s interest.

One of my richest professional experiences has been providing court-ordered services to parents and adolescents, who are displaying ‘at risk’ behaviors. Hundreds of families participated in this research-based program, that educates teens and their parents, both separately and then together, about risk and protective factors. I also models positive communication skills and the families would practice together. I facilitated this program for over twelve years and despite the mandatory nature of the program, time and again, parents would say, “I wish I knew this sooner”, “If only I had known”, “Why don’t they teach this in school?”

One of the reasons that these groups, were so well received was that, despite race, ethnicity or socio-economic class, there was a general common agreement: Parenting today is tough, it’s scary and today’s parenting is new, as in it’s not what our parent’s ever imagined.
The unprecedented challenges of parenting in the technological world and the impact and exposure to information on children and teens has changed our relationships. The exposure to violence, both in the media and in our communities, drug abuse and the levels of depression and anxiety for children, teens and adults is at an all-time high.

While some adolescents are very focused and seek coaching as a personal growth and motivation tool, many attend Relationship Coaching, at the insistence of a parent(s), due to a variety of concerns. Although I did define the difference between therapy and Relationship Coaching, as a Clinical Social Worker, I am aware that crisis often brings about the greatest change and supporting families during that process, in a non-biased way, empowers the family as a whole. Co-parents often find this very beneficial, when they are navigating different house rules, personal beliefs and varying levels of concerns.

Mediation is a process which allows each participant to be fully heard and then mutually agreed upon solutions are reached. This process can be very useful as both an informal or formal tool. It can assist partners/ family members in sharing their individual perspectives in a safe place. Often, truly hearing another’s thoughts, instead of making assumptions, can be extremely productive. Typically, the process would include future goals for the relationship.
On a formal level, Mediation is a concrete, more amicable and less costly way to negotiate divorce, child visitation and other family, work or organizational conflicts, without involving attorneys’ fees and, since the final agreements are mutually designed, there is often more satisfaction and less distress to the parties involved.

As an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP), I am certified to administer and assess utilizing the Energy Leadership Index Assessment. Called the E-factor, this powerful 20 minutes online tool, based on extensive research, quantifies the way an individual perceives and approaches life and reacts to different circumstances and experiences. People are often startled by the accuracy of their results. This assessment and hour long debriefing process, is a wonderful tool for personal, individual growth, but is also a powerful instrument in partner or family work. ( please follow link: www.IPECCoaching.com and E-factor research). I incorporate mindfulness and centering practices, in addition to IPEC,and other materials, such as a values assessment, to assist clients in identifying limiting beliefs and reach clarity and to envision what their full potential looks like.

The International Coach Federation and other research groups have identified numerous major benefits from both personal and executive coaching. Here are some of the top cited benefits:
Fresh perspectives on both personal or professional challenges
Enhanced decision-­making skills
Greater interpersonal effectiveness
Increased confidence and increased productivity
Individuals who work with a coach can usually expect significant improvement in productivity, satisfaction with life and work, and the attainment of relevant goals. 7/12/2017 Coaching Newsletter: Top Benefits of Working with a Coach; August 14th – 19th Executive Coach Certification https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/PrintMessage

To qualify as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, one must have a Master’s level education and years of experience working with individuals and families, who are experiencing issues of daily living and/or crisis situations. It also requires continual education. ( As stated above- I have extensive experience and education in family dynamics, mental health diagnosis and effects, addictions, grief and loss, mediation, trauma therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy…….). Clinical Social Work training is a highly therapeutic skill set. I provide services in accordance with the professional standards and Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

Coaching different from therapy in that we are not looking at “dysfunction”, but simply to create a plan going forward to achieve mutual goals. We do not focus on past conflicts, except when it is preventing movement. Coaching is a collaborative process, where the coach facilitates the process, but the individuals have the answers to addressing internal blocks and facilitate their future intentions and goals. A more thorough explanation is offered below. I practice under the Code of Ethics of the International Coaching Federation. The missions of both Social Work and coaching are similar: To provide client-centered services, in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental manner and to nurture and honor client decision-making and self-determination.