1.    When exactly is “midlife”? And what is a caring or creative profession?

Midlife – the central period in life, ranging from the mid-30s to mid-60s

Caring Profession – a job that involves taking care of other people, such as teaching, nursing, social work, and non-profit professionals

Creative Profession – someone who uses their creative skills in a variety of fields, including writing, art, design, theater, television, radio, film, and marketing 

2.   Can I still work with you even if I’m not a woman in mid-life and/or I don’t have a background in a caring or creative profession? 

Yes, definitely! In a Discovery Call, we can discuss how Windhorse Transformational Coaching can support you and whether we would make a good coaching match.   

3.   What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Both coaching and therapy support people with leading a more fulfilling life, but below are some distinctions between the two approaches:

• Coaching is generally focused on the present and the future.  While references to the past are often helpful to support healing and transformation, they are typically discussed to facilitate present and future change.  In contrast, therapy typically focuses on the past or understanding the present in light of addressing past issues or traumas.

• Coaching assumes the client is generally whole, healthy, and capable of working through life’s challenges, so they can reach a higher potential.  In contrast, therapy may presume that something is “wrong” with the client or that they have a psychopathology that needs to be fixed (i.e. mental illness, substance abuse, etc.). 

• Unlike therapy, coaching is not supported by health insurance.  For this reason, coaching sessions cost more than a therapy co-pay.

4.  How is Deep Transformational Coaching different from traditional coaching? I’m curious about it, but I’m not sure it’s for me.

Deep Transformational Coaching is healing based, rather than goal focused. It is a coaching approach that provides a sacred space to go inwards and connect with the self at a deeper level of awareness, from which the body’s wisdom can be more easily accessed.  To facilitate this process, sessions often feature a short breathing exercise to become more present and relax, as well as periods of silence. New perspectives and ideas commonly emerge during these times.  This approach has commonalities with other energetic healing arts, such as reiki, acupuncture, and breathwork.

Traditional coaching is results oriented; it focuses on the mind to solve problems and achieve desired outcomes.  The body is not centrally involved in this approach, nor is silence a common feature.

I also provide Developmental Coaching, which sits on a spectrum between Deep Transformational Coaching and traditional coaching. Unlike Deep Transformational Coaching, Developmental Coaching does not focus on supporting the seismic shifts that are taking place at the core of your being during a midlife transformational journey; nonetheless it can still be immensely helpful for facilitating change.  It builds
self-awareness, so you can better align your beliefs, values, and actions with the life you desire.  

One coaching approach does not preclude the other; some sessions may feature a Developmental Coaching approach, while others may feature a Deep Transformational Coaching approach.  In any given session, I tailor my coaching approach to meet the needs that arise in the moment.

5.    Can I do coaching in combination with therapy or other healing approaches?

Absolutely!  Some clients may wish to have other types of sessions in addition to coaching, since they all have different focuses.  Many clients who are drawn to Deep Transformational Coaching also utilize the healing arts, such as reiki, acupuncture, qi gong, breathwork, energy work and plant medicine.  Coaching can even complement these forms since it can help process deep, embodied experiences.

6.     Does everyone have an embodied experience or go experience transformation in your sessions?

No, not necessarily.  This depends on where you are on your transformational journey, which can take years and be quite non-linear.  No matter how the sessions transpire, it’s all completely fine.  No two journeys are the same!

7.    What is a midlife transformation?

At its essence, a midlife transformation is about returning to the beauty, light, and wholeness with which we were all born.  To do this, we need to let go of the old and embrace the new.  The process can take many years (a decade or more!).  It can also feel quite disorienting, disruptive, and confusing since it often includes seismic life shifts, changing priorities, and an uncertainty about where things are going. 

However, the midlife transformation can be a tremendous opportunity to reconnect with your authentic self, so you can find your purpose and place in the world.  Just as the caterpillar transforms into the butterfly, it is a process that can bring about great beauty.

8.    What qualifies Windhorse Transformational Coaching to help me with my midlife journey?

Windhorse Transformational Coaching offers midlife coaching that is rooted in first-hand experience, certification from an accredited coach training program, and a healing energy that has been intentionally cultivated over time, as well as before each session.

In terms of first-hand experience, my own transformation started in my 40s.  My commitment to continuing this transformation—tough as it may be at times—together with my understanding and experience of this incredible transformational process, deepens my capacity to support you on your own journey.  

9. What does it mean to receive coaching in a healing space that is trauma-informed and culturally responsive?

A person is always more than their trauma.  To cultivate a trauma-informed space, I…

• Create a space filled with love where I envision your highest potential.

• Provide a safe healing space where, if desired, trauma can be shared in a way that serves you. 

• Allow you, the coachee, to lead the session; there is little chance of retraumatization since you determine what you wish to talk about, and I ask questions to help you gain clarity and insight, NOT based on my own curiosity or agenda. 

To cultivate a culturally responsive space, I…

• Am mindful of my own cultural identity as a result of 20+ years living with diverse individuals and teaching and training diverse adult audiences in the U.S. and Mexico (construction workers, non-profit service providers, Fulbright grantees, immigrants from around the world ages 18-92, etc.)

• Hold space for multiple ways of seeing and engaging with the world—including ones far different from my own

• Appreciate others’ life experiences, choices, perspectives, and values

10.  What can I talk about in these sessions?

Since the midlife transformational process leaves no area of life untouched, a variety of topics may come up, such as family, friends, work, and hobbies.  You do not have to worry about whether a given topic is “suitable” for discussion; no matter where you start, whatever needs to emerge will emerge over the course of sessions.  Even a topic as seemingly mundane as road rage or frustration with a manager can lead to deep insights and reflections on old patterns!  Ultimately, these sessions are always client-centered.  You can trust your inner voice to guide you where you need to go.  

Having said all of that, I will offer an optional handout to help you reflect and generate insights on each session.  These questions may spark ideas for what you want to talk about in the next session.

11. Why are the sessions 60-75 minutes long?

This is the length of time needed to complete a Deep Transformational Coaching session since it may include an embodied experience, when a client sits in silence and connects with a deeper awareness.  Sessions are longer than standard 50-minute coaching or therapy sessions to allow for this experience.  The length of each coaching session may vary by 15 minutes depending on what comes up in a given session.

12. Where are you located?

Los Angeles, CA