Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How is Academic Life Coaching different from tutoring, executive functioning coaching, and therapy?
While all of these services can be valuable in their own right, here’s how Academic Life Coaching stacks up:
Tutoring: Tutors help students understand and improve in specific academic subjects. Academic Life Coaching, however, focuses on developing broader skills like time management, goal setting, and motivation that help students succeed in all areas, both academically and personally.
Executive Functioning Coaching: Executive functioning coaching specifically targets cognitive skills such as organization, planning, and task management. Academic Life Coaching also works on these skills but goes beyond, taking a more holistic approach by addressing motivation, confidence, finding purpose, and goal achievement in addition to cognitive skills.
Therapy: Therapy focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health challenges such as anxiety or depression, often through a psychological framework. Academic Life Coaching is future-focused. Like therapy, it considers mindset, but it examines it from a perspective of productivity and goal achievement to help young adults and students thrive in academics and life.
How do you work with neurodivergent students (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)?
I tailor my coaching to each client’s learning style, energy level, and communication preferences. For neurodivergent clients, that can mean:
* Using more visual tools
* Breaking goals into smaller, concrete steps
* Integrating strategies that align with how their brain naturally works, not against it
* Strength-based goal setting
* Collaboration with teachers or therapists when helpful
Whether a client is neurodivergent or neurotypical, my goal is the same: to help them understand their own brain, develop sustainable habits, and build a sense of agency and pride in how they learn and live.
What is the coaching process like?
* Initial Connect - We'll set up a time to talk. I'll be interested in your concerns and hopes. In the case of a parent reaching out about their student, I'll be curious to hear about patterns you've observed in your child. We'll discuss whether Academic Life Coaching can address your family's needs.
* Free Initial Consultation - Once I have a sense of the situation, I'll share with the prospective client more about what Academic Life Coaching is and I'll offer a mini coaching sample session. With students, I'll explore the student's perspective (as it's most likely different than the parent's) and how they feel about working with a coach.
* Regular one-on-one sessions to develop strategies and set goals. This includes communication and structures to support clients between sessions.
* Access to helpful strategies and tools for time management, organization and stress management.
* Ongoing support and feedback to track progress.
What do statistics say about the effectiveness of coaching?
According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF):
* 70% of individuals reported improved work performance and relationships.
* 80% of clients reported increased self-confidence.
* 86% of clients saw a return on investment that exceeded the cost of coaching.