Now offering Group Coaching for Parents of Special Needs Kids!

As a parent of a special needs child, making sense of the resources available, techniques to use with one's child that brings order  and peace to one's home is imperative.  Even implementing a special diet can be a daunting task. The recent government shut down and the state of our health care system impressed upon me the fact that we need to be more resourceful when there comes a time that help for our kids isn't so readily available.  With that in mind, group coaching becomes a valuable opportunity in which to harvest the collective wisdom of a group centered on a common theme, helping families find the answers and the support to make the changes necessary to positively impact their child, family and life as a parent.

Why Group Coaching?

• Group coaching offers direction and the answers you seek as you consider where you and your family are now and helps to develop a road map taking you to where you want to be as a family.

• Group coaching utilizes not only the benefits of the coaching process, but the opportunity to learn from others going down a similar path while encouraging/challenging one another to make the changes that you seek and to where God is calling you forth.     

Jennifer J. Britton, in her book Effective Group Coaching, states that,

Great group coaches bring to their profession solid group facilitation skills, as well as mastery of core coaching skills and approaches.  They create a solid and intimate connection with their groups, and listen for what the participants want is important to them, so that the group's agenda is respected.  Great group coaches adopt their style and approach based on the different needs, creating the space for clients to learn from each other and share experiences is paramount in the group coaching process.

Most significantly, group coaches distinguish themselves from other group facilitators with their strong focus on having the client identify and take action on their goals.  A key priority for group coaches is to hold the space for clients to be accountable for taking steps in achieving their goals and integrating their learning to their "real life" and work. 

What you can expect:

The Group Coaching offered with Reflecting His Image Christian Life Coaching will be in a virtual format utilizing a telebridge phone line around relevant themes families of special needs kids are encountering.  

Group Coaching themes for parents of Special Needs Kids include:

• Social issues of both you, your child and your family,
• Exploring Community Services, Treatments and Resources,
• Faith Based Support- Having a sense of belonging as a valued member of your faith community,
• Issues related to those with Neuro-developmental disorders (Autism, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder)

The benefits of group coaching via telebridge line:

• Coaching is done on a secure line with the ability to record sessions should a participant need to miss a session.
• Coaching by phone takes into consideration child care issues, adverse weather conditions, limited time and finances.
• Weekly Groups are intentionally small, consisting of 6-8 participants, confidential and sessions are for 75-90 minutes in length.
• Participants are encouraged to sign up for an 8 week program with the option to include 2 Individual coaching sessions for an additional fee, yet at a fraction of the cost of individual coaching alone.
•  Group times are offered during the day or in the evening various days of the week. 

Group Themes (PST)	Tuesday or Thursday 7:00-8:30 PM	Saturday 10:00 - 11:30 AM	Per Session/8 wk Program
Social Issues			$15/$80
Community Resources			$15/$80
Faith Based Support			$15/$80
Neurodevelopmental issues			$15/$80
Individual Coaching*	Monday-Saturday	Call for appointment	*2 (45 min.) Sessions/8wk +$40
Individual Coaching Only	Monday-Saturday	Call for appointment	3 (45 min.) Sessions/mo for $90

On the Other Side of Pain

Counseling vs. Coaching

We all know that coaching is different than counseling.  Counseling works on the "why" of human behavior and delves into the past, often addressing experiences and conditions that cause emotional pain that is hard to get past.  We all know of people in our lives that we have encountered that have their issues, and we have been there as well.  Some of us are still working through some issues of various kinds.  Some are stuck in the pain of the past and use various methods to cope with the pain, whether it be blaming others, misusing drugs or alcohol, debilitating depression, even physical ailments, not to mention emotional issues that affect their happiness and impacting their relationships and quality of life.

On this side of the grave, we all have something that needs work in our lives, be it emotional, spiritual, social or physical development.  Yes, we are all made in the Image and likeness of God, yet generational sin, bad habits, etc., throws mud on that Image and so the work begins to be cleansed and live the life God has called us to, a life of fulfillment and purpose, giving us energy and joy as we live out of the charisms we were given by our Maker.  Counseling, spiritual direction, confession, making use of the grace of the sacraments do so much to help see who we are, where we have come and how badly we must depend upon the Lord for our very life.

Spending time reflecting on the pain in one's life can, and does aid in the healing process one must go through.  It's allowing the Lord, our Good Shepherd, the opportunity to look us over, see the mess we are in, and tenderly touch and heal our wounds.  It's so important to spend some time there, allowing His love to pour over us and comfort us in the protection of His loving arms.  I'm reminded of a song by Twila Paris, The Warrior is a Child.  Oh, what a blessing we have, belonging to such a Loving God!

There also comes a time, however, where we must come down off that mountain top and re-engage with the world.  We are to seek out the Lord's will for our lives and do our part in helping "thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven".  Spiritual direction is certainly an important role in this arena, as is a good Christian therapist, who not only helps one embrace their cross, with humility, but to also see that there is still much to do on the other side of the pain. When one is ready to take the steps of discovery, with they eye toward making and achieving one's goals, while staying close to the Lord as He directs our steps, Christian Life Coaching can help make a difference.as we are promised a "hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Hebrews 12:1-3 speaks of Jesus as our example, regarding keeping our eyes focused ahead despite the obstacles and trials that come, for God has a greater purpose and He wants us to play a valuable part in it:    

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I would be honored to walk along side of you as you begin this journey of discovery, becoming aware and using the many gifts God has provided to make your journey one that holds great satisfaction and joy.

Contact me today and let's begin!  

 

Ask about the Introductory Rate Special of $20 off a session with a 3 month commitment (3 sessions month).  Inquiry calls are free!

Call: 208-966-4338 or e-mail me at sheilamh67@gmail.com.

 

Life Happens and We Adjust!

We got notice in early July that the house my kids and I are renting was being put up for sale.  So began the Great Summer Rental House Search, and thus explains the lack of posts on this blog! 

We found a house at the end of August and are just now in the process of packing up and making the big move tomorrow!  The good news is it's only 1/3 mile from the house we are currently in and $75 cheaper in rent! 

We have been blessed along this journey and coaching has helped a lot regarding finding the right balance with me taking two classes this summer (One coaching class and one Applied Behavioral Analysis class to help me get certified to work with disabled kids in the State of Idaho.), not to mention helping the kids get ready to start school.  My three older kids are starting public school for the first time as I have home schooled them for 9 years, due to me having to go back into the work force.  It has been amazing how things have come together and having my coaching triad from my coaching class, as well as the class time where we practiced and critiqued one another's coaching has been so helpful as we each take turns being the client. 

From first hand experience, I have found coaching to be quite beneficial and have signed up for a Group Coaching class starting on September 18th, which I am really excited about as it can benefit even more people with not only the coaching skills, but also with the group process involving learning from others along the way!

Coaching is a powerful service that can set you in the direction and support you where you want to go.  Contact me if you would like to explore coaching and see if it can work for you.  I am setting up an Introductory Rate 6 month special of $30 a session or $90 a month for three 45 minute sessions.  If you are interested, e-mail or call me today and we can schedule your first month.  And remember that the first Introductory session is free!

E-mail:  sheilamh67@yahoo.com or call:  208-966-4338.

Do you want to play?

My youngest son, Joshua, has autism.  The kids and I were recently at a Christian social event with a lot of other children whom Joshua has never met before.  He was really wanting to play "ball" with the big kids, but I diverted him by seeing if he could play with an extra ball with children more his age.  He was happy to do so and went around and asked various kids "Do you want to play?"  I was quite proud of him for being so outgoing but was disheartened by the fact that child after child looked at him and said, "No".  They didn't know Joshua, or his struggles, and perhaps his forthrightness was unsettling to them.  I don't know for sure.  Joshua's older sister and a friend of Joshua's older brother did engage with him for as long as his attention span lasted, which was quite loving.

                                         Joshua announcing a Pine Wood Derby Race with the
                                         Parish Sponsored Boy Scout Troop.

I am of the belief that those in the Body of Christ will be more likely to live out their faith and teach their children likewise.  I also understand that some children can be painfully shy.  I have one of those as well.  Verses such as in James 1:27, " Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." seems relevant in such cases as reaching out to those with disabilities.  There are a lot of compassionate children Joshua has encountered who love him for who he is, like him and want to play with him. All the kids in his religious ed class have been nothing but understanding and kind to him as it was explained on the first day of class that Joshua has a disability and was learning at a different pace.

How has your special needs child been welcomed into your faith community?

What would need to change for you and your child to have the most positive experience?

However, as I reflected on this social interaction, at the social gathering, in light of considering the special needs population fitting in to social situations, especially in the Church, social skills, especially for those on the autism spectrum, are the most challenging to master.  I was reminded of what the Blessed Virgin Mary's response to the servants at the Wedding Feast at Cana, "Do whatever He tells you." in reference to her Son, Jesus.  As these verses came to me, I was also considering the conversation I had had with one of Joshua's therapists regarding the need, especially in the Church, for the Body of Christ to truly be supportive to parents and children who are struggling with special needs.  So many parents find "the looks" they get when their child misbehaves in Church, hard to deal with and end up no longer attending Church services and don't seek out religious instruction for their children. I can certainly relate to those feelings.  However, what does Christ "tell us" regarding the little children:   "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14.

What needs to happen in our mindset and in our faith communities to encourage this type of acceptance?

It takes a lot of energy for any parent of children to get to church on time and help their neurotypical child to learn proper social skills.  Those who take their children to Mass with them are faced with the challenge of simultaneously getting spiritually fed and taming their "Wild Things" in such a way so as not to disturb others.  What I have found to be helpful is trying to take my child to at least one daily Mass a week, which is shorter and where the kids can practice proper behavior with less distractions.  Joshua still manages to make things both entertaining and a blessed experience in his own way.  He looks forward to "The Sign of Peace", speaking of it before Mass, and then when it's time for the "Our Father" and then the "Sign of Peace", he's laying on the pew with a coat over his head refusing to shake anyone's hand.  My take on that is he had reached the saturation level at that point in the Mass with all the stimulus and practicing proper behavior.  He is making progress from when he used to lay under the pew and when he flipped down the waste band of his pants exposing himself during the Nicene Creed.  Now he says "I have to go potty." in a strong voice, stands for the Gospel and kneels during the Consecration.  I'm sure the Lord is chuckling over the antics kids do at Church and is so pleased by them attending, and that thought makes it easier for the days of struggle.

What we have found with our efforts working with Joshua at Mass is more supportive looks and smiles from those around us and that is nothing but encouraging.  I know that he, like all those in attendance, especially those with disabilities, not only deserve to be there, but NEED to be coming to church.  After all, we are ALL made in God's Divine Image and each one of us make up the Body of Christ.  1 Corinthians 12:21-26 speaks of how we are to regard one another, including those who don't seem to "fit in":

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; ²⁴ whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, ²⁵ that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

                                           Tony Melendez singing for Bl. Pope John Paul II

What goals do you have for you and your child with special needs in your faith community?

In what ways do you and your child need to be supported?

What can you do to make your goals a reality?

How do you envision your child's place in the Body of Christ?

What's Missing in My Life as a Parent?

Sheila holding Joshua (who has autism) in her family picture

As a parent of a special needs child, it is so easy to put one's energies and attention on what is missing in the normal development for that child.  There is so much to consider, however, especially if you have other children who don't have a disability or special needs and their needs are just as valid as your child with the disability.

• How do you have the energy and resources to meet everyone's needs?  
• How do you parent each child differently and in what ways do you discipline or care for them in the same way?

There are certainly legitimate needs for a special needs child that must, of course, be met to the best of our ability as a parent.  As you would for any of your children, you ensure their health needs, social needs, educational needs, physical needs, and spiritual needs are being met while considering the developmental stage they are at.  It can be an overwhelming and exhausting task, especially if the child has time consuming needs or emotional outbursts that drain you emotionally, physically and spiritually.  All parents need support and the parent of a special needs child may need not only "one hand reaching out" to them, but two, or three or four, or more!

• What kind of parenting supports do you have?
• What kind of supports are you lacking?
• How can you get the supports you need in order for everyone to develop to one's greatest potential?

As noted, there are not only the real needs of the disabled child to consider, but also the needs of the rest of the family, including the parents!  Most special needs parents do remarkable things and somewhere, they tuck in their Super Hero cape but the truth of the matter is, kryptonite is lurking in some form in every family, sucking the life out of the family and stealing the peace and joy.  For some, it may be as they contemplate who will care for their children after they, the parent, have passed away and in this case, their child may still need care as an adult.  For others, it may be trying to find and celebrate their version of a "normal family life", despite the challenges of incorporating the considerations of a special needs child, for example, doing chores as a family while also supervising a child who wanders or has considerable physical disabilities.  It can be frustrating constantly having to put off tasks when a child melts down or is demanding one's attention.

• How do you cope as a parent?
• In what ways are you being filled up and strengthened for the challenges you face as a parent?
• What does your family's "normal" look like?
• In what ways do you balance your own needs with those of your family's?
• What frustrations do you have?
• While considering your child's disability, what would your ideal home life look like?  

Hiring a Christian Life Coach can assist you in moving "from where you are to where you want to be" while raising your family and considering the gift of your special needs child's within your family.  Consider a coach as someone to encourage you as you "strive ahead, keeping your eyes on the prize".

Give me a call today and schedule your free coaching session to determine if coaching can benefit you and your family.  Please also let me know if you are interested in the affordable option of  Special Needs Parenting Group Coaching, which will be forming in the future.

Contact me today:  208-966-4338 or by e-mail:  sheilamh67@gmail.com

The Hunger for Fulfillment

Can you envision your future?

While reading the text, Co-Active Coaching:  New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success in Work and Life, the chapter on Client Fulfillment provides us with some important things to ponder:

Co-active coaching creates a different frame for fulfillment.  It asks clients to look at what it would take to be fulfilled.  And not just "some day in the future" when the goal is reached, but today, because fulfillment is available every day of our lives...Of course, envisioning a future that is even more fulfilling is by itself a fulfilling exercise.  Working toward goals that make the vision real is also fulfilling.  The point is that fulfillment is an exercise of choice and not something that will happen some day...

...fulfillment is a paradox in that we can be filled today and filled again tomorrow, maybe even in a different way, and then be filled again the next day and the day after that.  It is disillusioning to try to capture fulfillment.  "Having" fulfillment is like trying to bottle daylight.

Feeling Good is Not a Sign

...Living a life of purpose, mission, or service can be intense, sometimes heart-breaking and exhausting, and at the same time enormously fulfilling.  The paradox of fulfillment is that it is possible both to have a sense of inner peace and to experience an outer struggle at the same time.

In fact, describing fulfillment may be as simple as this:  Fulfillment is about being fully alive.  Fulfillment is the state of fully expressing who we are and doing what is right for us.  [Clients] describe it as wholeness, satisfaction, a sense of rightness and harmony...

• How is your sense of inner peace?
• What will it take for you to be fulfilled?
• What goals do you have to fulfill your vision?
• How does considering Philippians 1:6  play into your vision for yourself?
  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Give me a call and I can give you that space to work out your goals, give feedback, and encouragement as you discover your path toward your vision and the fulfillment that you seek.

I will help give you that "lift" as you work to achieve your goals!

Contact Sheila today for your free inquiry call:  208-966-4338 or e-mail: sheilamh67@gmail.com

 Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

What Can You Expect in the Coaching Process?

While reading one of my text books from one of my classes to become a Certified Christian Life Coach, I came across a nice description of general measures of competency withing the coaching relationship which may be of interest as you consider what coaching is all about and how it might benefit you:

Objective of high-performance coaching- to assist clients to create new and more powerful "thinking" and "doing" spaces for themselves

Measures of coaching skills for a co-creating powerful thinking space:

• The coach's invitation to exploration precedes and is significantly greater than the invitation to solution.

• The coach is willing not to know where the coaching will go.

• The coach and client create a light and safe atmosphere for exploration, experimentation, and challenge by both coach and client.

• The coach and client create a space for contemplation and deeper thought.

•  The coach and client create a space for free sharing of each other's instincts, feelings, and truths and feel privileged and gifted in that sharing.

• The coach and client become learners from each other and freely share that learning with each other.

• the coach and client connect past lessons to new learning and create continuity between the client's past, present, and future.

• The coach and client see the totality of the client, the client's growth in the coaching process and the client's growth in greatness, and continually relate that toality to creation of the client's future.

          Measures of coaching skills for co-creating powerful "doing" spaces:

• The coach and client create a space of focus and creativity that allows the client to identify, articulate, and be accountable for high-leverage actions.

• The coach and client create a space of informed risk-taking that allows the client to stretch the boundaries of what he has done before.

• The coach and clent continuously hold and revisit goals so that the client's actions have direct impact toward specific goals.

• The coach assists the client to evaluate actions within a systems viewpoint, examining intended and potential unintended consequences.

• The coach assists the client to develop both situational and non-situational decision-making criteria that will serve the client in determining what action to take and when.

• The coach will assist the client in determining when action learning is called for.

• The coach will assist the client to create plans to achieve both immediate wins and long-term accomplishments that align with the client's desired external and internal results.

• The coach and client will assist each other in recognizing the time for change in goals, plans or actions.

• The coach will assist the client in designing actions that leverage the client's strengths, way of being, and learning style.

• The coach and client will continually visit and integrate the learning gained from the client's actions and using it to design further action.  

( Law and Ethics in Coaching, by Patrick Williams and Sharon K. Anderson, pp 76-78)

If you are curious about Life Coaching and want to learn more about how you can benefit, please call 208-966-4338 and schedule your free inquiry call today!

A Different look at Parenting Special Needs Kids

We've been studying in our Essentials of Coaching class about "Mindset" in regards to the Internal Barriers we have that are obstacles to getting to the places we want to be in life.  Gary Collins, in Christian Coaching notes that,

most of our perspectives on the world and on life are subconscious, influential, and well entrenched.  Often they are accepted without question as attitudes that come from our parents or from other significant people...These are the running narratives that go on in our brains- the in-grained, self-talk ideas that shape our attitudes and impact our actions...

These attitudes exist from the beginning of coaching but usually stay hidden until one starts talking about change.  The coach and the person being coached need to look for them, challenge them, and replace them with different mind-sets, such as, "I'm capable especially if I have support," "The world is really an okay place." "If I try and I flub, people will still accept me," and "It doesn't matter what the people in my neighborhood think, I'm going to do it anyhow."

What has struck me when reflecting on this is how one's mindset, as a parent of a special needs child is influenced by the many voices heard throughout life.  It is easy to see how they "don't measure up" when compared to what is "normal" but really, so often, what I've noticed is how right on they are about a lot of the truly  important things in life.  The kids I know with special needs work really hard and have such a great attitude, that comes so naturally.  I recently saw this picture on my Facebook newsline that spoke volumes to me:

The neat thing is, the tendency is that kids with special needs judge others less than what they are judged themselves.  They live in the "now" and have so much to teach us by their genuine love and honesty.  They accept people for who they are and do a much better job at living out the truth that we are all made in the Image and Likeness of God and acting that way in return. 

• Are you simply struggling through the day to day life with your special needs child and feeling as though you or they are "missing out"?

•  What are you learning about yourself as a parent of a special needs child? 

• What are your strengths/weaknesses?

• What are some mindsets that you may need to adjust in order to fully enjoy your life and your children, despite the challenges?

• What kind of support are you needing to help you overcome any obstacles you are facing, whether with your child's challenges, or simply navigating life as a parent and desiring more fulfillment for both of you in life?

• What do you make of the quote in The Talmud, "We don't see things as they are; we see things as we are"?

• How does your child with special needs make up a vital place in the Body of Christ?  

• How can you support your child in their growth, while also looking at your own growth?

Let's take some time to discover together, the unique gift you have been given as a parent of a special needs child.  I would be honored to join with you as we explore where you are now as a parent; where you want to go; search out how to get to where you want to be, while surmounting any obstacles you encounter along the way. 

Contact me today for your free introductory session and let's see what possibilities await you and your child!  Call 208-966-4338 or e-mail sheilamh67@gmail.com.

My Goal as a Christian Life Coach

A dear friend shared this picture with me on my Facebook page:

My prayer is that our time together is one that honors God and seeks His will for your life.

Parenting Issues

Whether you are a new parent, seasoned parent, or a parent of a special needs child, every parent is on a journey of discovery.  Each child is a unique gift, and comes with both challenges and joys.  It can be hard to balance parenting with other obligations and yet, through it all, there is that desire to be a good parent, while not losing sight of all that you are as a person.

Kids aren't born properly socialized and a humorous, yet very true statement overheard once was "Parenting starts with labor for a reason"!  However, as a lot of parents will testify, parenting is certainly a "labor of love" and what is also true is parenting is also "sanctifying" and "Christ like" in regards to being willing to sacrifice for the love of another.  It's certainly something to keep in mind when struggling through the tough days and nights with the various issues our children face.  It is a word of comfort and strength, especially with the truth that God certainly gives us strength and "doesn't give us more than we can handle".  Of course there are the thoughts that "if only God didn't think I could handle this much"!  Despite any challenges or hardships you are facing with your child, the fact that you are going through these trials with your child, is reflective of the faithfulness Our Heavenly Father has for each one of us.  The wonderful truth of the matter is, God is with us through the struggles and the joys, guiding us every step of the way.

• What is God teaching you through your parenting ups and downs?

• What Special Issues are You Facing in Parenting your child(ren)?

• What are your goals as a parent?

• If you have a special needs child, how have you come to parent differently than what you had envisioned you would as a parent?

• What kind of supports do you have in parenting?  If you are lacking in supports, what kind of support do you need? 

• What kind of relationship do you have with your child(ren)?  

• What kind of parent do you want to be?

  
  
  As your Christian Life Coach, I will pray with you, actively listen, ask powerful questions, challenge and encourage you, as you discover how to become the best kind of parent God has called you to be for your child(ren) throughout their various stages of life. 
  
  

  Contact me and set up an appointment today and we can explore these and other parenting issues you may have in order that you can develop satisfying relationships with your children!  Sheilamh67@gmail.com

How can hiring a Life Coach help me?

To give you an idea of how a Life Coach can help you in your life, allow me to quote from Co-Active Coaching: New Skills for Coaching People Toward Success in Work and Life, by Laura Whitworth, Karen Kimsey-House, Henry Kimsey-House and Phillip Sandahl:

The most visible outcome of coaching is also the primary reason clients want coaching in the first place:  action.  Clients want change; they want to see results.  They want to move forward.  It is also true that "action" will look very different for different clients.  For some clients, it will mean achieving specific goals or performing at a higher level.  For others, action will mean integrating new practices or firmly establishing habits.  For still others, it will be paying attention to the more subjective quality of their lives.  In whatever way clients define "action," it will be a focus in their coaching.

 In co-active coaching, we would say that a second, complementary, and just as important outcome is learning.  What clients learn along the way helps them make continuously better choices and, ultimately, makes them more competent and more resourceful in the areas on which they concentrate in coaching.  In fact, it's this cycle of action and learning over time that leads to sustained and effective change.  Clients take action and learn, which leads to more action based on what they learned and the cycle continues.  Coaching is ideal for this process because the relationship is ongoing and is designed to focus on this inter-related pair.  All the coaching skills are used to forward the action and deepen the client's learning.

• What are some areas you are wanting to change?

•  Do you want to move forward but are not sure how?

•  Are you having trouble maintaining the changes you are trying to implement in your life?

• Think of the positive changes you can make with someone by your side, supporting you as you become more competent and resourceful in the choices you make.  

• How will life look for you 6 months or a year from now as you learn how to achieve the goals you have set for yourself and live a more fulfilling life? 

Contact me today and we can begin your journey toward fulfillment with a FREE trial coaching session!  E-mail me at Sheilamh67@gmail.com

The Convenience of Phone Meetings

Do I need to meet face-to-face with my coach?

The beauty of a coaching relationship is that, considering that coaching is a facilitated monologue, it can actually be distracting having a coach sitting in front of you.  Suddenly, facial expressions and eye contact start to pull a client away from the internal work they are doing and they begin to respond to external stimuli.  Although face-to-face meetings can happen, they can sometimes detract from the work the client is doing.

There are circumstances, of course, where face-to-face meetings are preferred and make sense, and if you are a local client, this would be discussed and worked through in the preliminary consultation.  On the whole, however, and considering that this is a relationship that can be engaged regardless your location, phone meetings are encouraged.

Would you like to explore whether working with a coach is right for you?  Contact me and we can explore the benefits of having a Christian Life Coach for whatever length of time works for you.

E-mail me today!  Sheilamh67@gmail.com

Welcome!

Welcome to Reflecting His Image Christian Life Coaching!

If you and I were here together, I would invite you in and offer you a cup of tea and a comfortable chair as we discussed your goals, hopes and dreams and worked together to achieve them.  With the beauty of modern conveniences, however, we can do so from anywhere a phone line can reach!  Not quite the same as face to face, but you will find it quite effective!

This is a blog dedicated to encouraging you and, as any coach would do, asking powerful questions that will challenge you to grow and bring out things inside you that you may have hidden away for a while or perhaps didn't even know were there.  You may have a yearning in your heart.  Perhaps something just doesn't feel right.  You want more out of life but you are not sure what it is, or if you do, you aren't sure how to fulfill those dreams.  A life coach can help draw those hidden dreams out and support you in achieving them in a way that will work for you! 

My goal in this blog is to post about issues that relate to you and perhaps pull at your heart and inspire you to take the steps necessary to become who you envision yourself to be--better yet, who you envision God is calling you to be.

This life is short, and we all want to make the most of the opportunities granted to us, no matter our circumstances.  Perhaps you want to live a life filled with joy, contentment, adventure, satisfying relationships, and a sense of purpose with your unique vision lived out while growing close to God, seeking His will every step of the way.  When your time here is at an end, you want to have that deep peace in your heart in the knowledge that you have run the race God has set before you to the best of your ability.  As you draw your last breath, may the words you hear be the Lord's, gently speaking to you, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!"