Frequently Asked Questions About My Career Counseling Services

• What is your "career counseling" philosophy?
• Can you tell me what is special about your approach and experience?
• What kind of people do you usually work with?
• How does the process work?
• How do I know if I'm ready for career counseling?
• Can you give me examples of results your clients typically experience?
• How much does it cost to work with you?
• How often do we meet?
• How long do people typically continue with career and life coaching?
• Do you help with resume writing? What if I only need resume assistance?
• How much advance notice does it take to get an appointment?
• What meeting times are available?
• Where do we meet?
• Do you work with people outside the San Francisco Bay Area?
• Are fees tax-deductible?
• Will my health insurance cover my sessions with you?
• I'd love to work with you. What's the first step?
• I have a question not answered here — what should I do?

What is your "career counseling" philosophy?

As human beings, we bring our emotions to everything we do. And as a career counselor who is also a licensed marriage and family therapist, I make room for honoring and addressing your emotions throughout the career counseling process.

When I work with career counseling clients, I begin by objectively and holistically reviewing with them their lives to date. I then move from that larger context to look at your job, career, finances, relationships, creativity, etc. Because there are many facets and elements that combine to create your unique personality, we often look at how all the pieces are fitting — or not fitting — together. The goal is to help you create a life you truly love, with work that supports and integrates with your larger vision.

During coaching, many people find they encounter the very challenges that may have kept them stuck in the past. Addressing these areas often includes looking at emotions, beliefs, hidden dreams, self-esteem, fears, etc. As people gently move through these obstacles, many experience a lightness, optimism, momentum and success that they haven't previously encountered.

This new awareness leads in turn to a deeper self-knowledge and an opening up of the possibilities that may have previously been hidden from view.

My role is to use the many tools at my disposal — whether they be stress reduction techniques, psychoanalysis, structured brainstorming, and so forth — to stimulate your creativity and help you make and keep the commitments necessary to achieve your goals.

Can you tell me what is special about your approach and experience?

Sure. Here are some of the most vital aspects:

• I have 25+ years of experience and a significant track record of success.
• I practice with a holistic approach and support you mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually in creating both a professional and personal life you truly love.
• I offer a career counseling process that combines career counseling and psychotherapy.
• I provide expertise in career assessment, research, and job search strategies (such as personal branding, resume writing and interview coaching).
• I combine strong counseling and psychotherapy skills and am experienced in addressing emotional and cognitive issues that can keep clients feeling stuck.
• My career counseling sessions are highly customized, designed, and continually adjusted to suit your personality, learning style, personal process, and preferences.
• I actively manage my cases. Our work together will not be limited to session time. I will be assessing, reflecting, researching, and gathering resources between sessions to help you sustain momentum.
• As a licensed psychotherapist, I combine extensive clinical knowledge and experience with the skills more typically associated with career counseling and coaching... I am thus able to help clients with complex issues at the intersection of personality difficulties and career issues.
• I offer both in-person and over-the-phone sessions based on your preference and availability.
• My offices are conveniently located in downtown San Francisco and Berkeley.
• My referral network includes complimentary professionals that can support you, and frequent check-ins to ensure you are getting the value you expect from our counseling relationship.

What kind of people do you usually work with?

My clients come from all walks of life and professions — IT executives, attorneys, artists, "retiring" moms whose kids are leaving home, nurses, teachers, corporate middle managers, entrepreneurs, and students — in short, anyone who is dissatisfied with where they are now in their work and who wants to make a change.

That having been said, I am open to working with anyone who is interested in a holistic approach to career conseling that helps define a compelling life vision and then looks at how all the different elements of one's life can connect to support that vision and create the life they're interested in achieving.

How does the process work?

Together, we will create and implement an action plan to assist you in attaining your life vision and goals. Sessions may involve dialogue, feedback, troubleshooting, planning, writing, editing, voice dialogue, or a host of other approaches customized to you and your situation. In each session, we create homework designed to give you momentum between sessions and I provide original exercises and customized activities for you to pursue between sessions. Coaching provides structure, support, focus, and accountability to help you achieve breakthroughs and reach established goals in the areas that matter most to you.

How do I know if I'm ready for career counseling?

If you want to make a major change and you'd like support and accountability to reach your goals, that's an excellent start. It's also important that you have the time and space for homework between sessions.

You may need anywhere from 3 to 15 hours each week to devote to the process in order to ensure your progress and momentum. If you have any upcoming major life events (such as a move, wedding, major travel, etc.), you may want to hold off until you can provide the time and energy required for success.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about your circumstances and the best timing for beginning coaching. I can be reached at 1-877-486-1188 or rosekm@earthlink.net.

Can you give me examples of results your clients typically experience?

Of course, results differ from person to person. But, some of the most frequent results my clients have experienced are:

• Figuring out what their ideal life looks like and taking concrete steps to put the pieces into place.
• Finding a new career that excites them and matches their personality, strengths, financial goals, family needs, and personal life.
• Breaking through to the next professional level and acquiring a position of more responsibility with a higher salary.
• Creating a "personal brand" which makes every phase of the job search more powerful and successful.
• Setting better boundaries at work and at home.
• Practicing better self-care, and knowing themselves in a deeper way.
• Developing a greater sense of well-being, optimism, and confidence.
• Bringing spending, saving, and investing decisions and goals in alignment with their values.
• Launching a business that captures their imagination and is well-grounded in business realities.

How much does it cost to work with you?

50-minute session are held once per week and are billed at $125.00 per session.

There may be optional, additional fees for assessments and/or professional resume writing.

Sliding fees may be available. VISA / MC accepted.

How often do we meet?

Generally, career coaching is conducted in 50-minute sessions once per week on a weekly basis. In order to make scheduling easy and consistent, we aim to set a regular day and time for your sessions.

How long do people typically continue with career and life coaching?

While there is no commitment to work together for a specified period of time, most of my career counseling relationships last at least a few months.

Some of my clients will continue longer as they expand successes into new areas, or if their goals are really ambitious. Often, we are working on several life arenas simultaneously (for example: transition work, career assessment and research, finances and personal creativity). The length of time depends on:

• Goals you wish to accomplish.
• Temperament and personal history.
• Momentum and challenges you experience as you move forward.
• Amount of time and energy you are able to devote to the process.

It is often helpful to stay in regular contact with your career counselor or coach even after your objectives are determined and any mental obstacles preventing the achievement of your goals are removed.

As we move along our paths in life, we often have to deal with unanticipated challenges, and correct our courses accordingly. Having someone around to keep us on track as we face those challenges is an immense asset.

My clients determine where they would like to be more aligned with their life purpose, and ultimately learn to craft the solutions to any problems facing them.

When you've come to understand your goals and feel you can achieve them with confidence, then you and only you will make the decision to end our sessions and proceed further on your own.

Do you help with resume writing? What if I only need resume assistance?

I currently offer limited resume writing, editing, and strategy services to career and life coaching clients. If extensive resume writing/editing are required, another service provider can be used, or I offer that service to clients at a discounted rate. Unfortunately, I don't currently offer stand-alone resume services for those only interested in resume assistance.

How much advance notice does it take to get an appointment?

Depending on my calendar, it can take as little as one to two days to schedule an appointment. However, while I do everything possible to accommodate scheduling requests, availability will be determinant upon our mutual calendars.

What meeting times are available?

Appointments are available days, evenings (until 10:00 p.m.), and on weekends (weekends only in my Berkeley office).

Where do we meet?

Most people prefer to meet at either my San Francisco or Berkeley office. However, some of my clients prefer phone sessions to save time and avoid traffic. You are welcome to "mix-and-match" in-person and phone sessions.

Do you work with people outside the San Francisco Bay Area?

Yes. I am able to work with clients located anywhere in the world. However, for obvious reasons, I work with most international and out-of-state clients over the phone.

Are fees tax-deductible?

In many cases, career counseling is tax deductible. In the U.S., "educational expenses undertaken to maintain or improve" business and professional skills are deductible (Treas. Reg.1-162-5, Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203F 2d 307). Please contact your tax professional for more details.

Will my health insurance cover my sessions with you?

Unfortunately, no. While most medical insurance covers Licensed Mental Health Professionals and I do accept insurance for psychotherapy services, medical insurance providers require a diagnosis of a mental health disorder in order to provide coverage. For insurance to pay for treatment, it must be "medically necessary." While career and life coaching services aim to improve your quality of life, they aren't considered a medical necessity.

I'd love to work with you. What's the first step?

The best first step is to read through this FAQ page. Then, simply contact me at 1-877-486-1188 or rosekm@earthlink.net to schedule an initial consultation.

I have a question not answered here — what should I do?

Simply call me at 1-877-486-1188 or e-mail me at rosekm@earthlink.net and I'll get back to you as soon as I'm able!