Holistic Mental Wellness

Why coaching?

I began my career as a therapist in 2013.  From October 2016 to August 2022, I maintained full LPC licensure with the State of Texas.  As of 8/31/22 I am no longer a practicing counselor.  When the pandemic began, it was clear that coaching offered the opportunity to share my skillset with more than those who reside in Texas. It's been a wild ride the past several years.   I am incredibly grateful to have made this transition in my career.  

Coaching is innately different from therapy.  It is a relationship of equals joined together with one specific goal - to help you achieve your best.  

DBT skills are a phenomenal framework for understanding and managing emotions - a design for living that can help anyone improve the relationship they have with themselves.  Coaching can be a great fit for those who are looking for growth outside of the traditional medical model of therapy.  

What is  Coaching?

Coaching is a collaboration of two spirits. Those who are looking for coaching desire to live a life that accentuates their talents and accommodates for the unique way their brain functions. My specific style of  Coaching incorporates DBT skills and strategies to help you learn to identify and then change ineffective behaviors in your life.  As a coach I am your equal in this journey in life.  You come to the table as the expert on your personal experience. While my expertise is in my ability to see deficits and help you create a framework for approaching areas where you consistently struggle. This approach is tailored to each clients specific needs.   I have had the pleasure to work with a an extremely diverse group of clients with this model.  

My Role as your Coach

My primary role is to help you navigate this period in your life. I get to know you for who you really are. Which guess what? Happens to be one of my ninja-therapy skills that I'm really good at. We examine your values and goals together. It's my job to challenge you to think about things in a different way then you already do. Sometimes, I'll ask you to delve deeper below the surface to figure out the motivation behind an action or an unhelpful belief that is getting in your way. There will be assignments. Because change doesn't happen just from talking - change happens from doing. And guess what?! The bigger your goals, the more work you will have to put in between sessions to get them. I'll also be available to you to reach out for support, validation & cheerleading!

How is Coaching different from Psychotherapy?

Coaching differs from counseling in the type of relationship we have. In counseling, clients attend sessions with a medical provider who helps them to address mental health issues. Therapists are expected to be emotionally uninvolved and keep distance from their clients. Self disclosure is limited. In coaching we are two people who come together with the same goal - to help you achieve whatever has brought you through my door. I'm not some cold expert on a couch, instead I am your mate on this journey. I come to the relationship an expert in DBT and how to apply it for behavior change, you come as the expert in your behavior and your body.  We weave both of those pieces together to create the pathway forward. 

Jamie's Coaching Style

As your coach, I ask questions, encourage, advise (a huge no-no in therapy), challenge, make requests and listen for your TRUTH.   We work together to set plans of action, and then I provide accountability for follow through. My goal is to help you be consistent with who you are in terms of your goals, your values and your vision and your outcomes. My focus is on you, what you want and how you can best get it. 
 In addition, you will learn the DBT skills so that you have a toolkit for understanding and maintaining control over your emotions.

The further I get into the coaching paradigm, the more blunt I get with my advice.  At this point, I've worked with hundreds of emotionally sensitive and neurodivergent individuals.  I know the things that are most likely to trip my people up, and we can make progress a lot quicker when we actively choose not to engage in certain areas. 

What are the DBT Skills? 

The DBT skills are a four module approach for understanding and managing emotions.  Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness & Mindfulness come together to offer a complete framework for handling any emotion in any situation.  

The Difference between DBT Coaching & Therapy

DBT Coaching incorporates the skills into the coaching model.  It can be helpful for many individuals who struggle with intense emotions and impulse control.  However, coaching is not a substitute for adherent DBT Therapy which offers: individual therapy, group skills classes, text coaching, case coordination with prescribers, and your clinician sits as a member of DBT Team.  If you are actively suicidal, therapy is the appropriate level of care.  If you are in a locale where DBT is not available, I am happy to work as your DBT skills coach in conjunction with your local licensed therapist. 

Note Regarding HIPAA & Confidentiality

In Texas, the only legally privileged communication is between legal counsel and clients. Mental health records can be subpoenaed in a variety of situations - divorce, substance use, custody, assault, abortion investigations, CPS, etc... 

The coaching paradigm offers an alternative approach to mental wellness services free of documentation.