Services
Counseling & Coaching
I provide both counseling and coaching services to people throughout Maine. (See below for information about phone and video counseling.) Below I explain some of the differences between the two approaches. You may choose either approach or both. People most often benefit from a blend of the two.
Counseling
Counseling consists of one-on-one sessions that focus on your individual situation. The agenda for each session is driven by what’s coming up in your life currently and the goals you would like to reach. Counseling (also known as therapy) may focus on healing current emotional pain or conflict within an individual and improving emotional states. It may focus on the past and on resolving old pain as it relates to the present. It usually involves a process of talking about feelings and thoughts you are struggling with currently, and it can be a way for you to sort out what is going on inside you and around you. It can also be action-oriented if you choose, focusing on setting goals and action steps for getting what you want and guidance on working toward those goals. Counseling or therapy can be what you need it to be, focusing on what you want to be different or better, in order to manage the cancer or post-cancer journey. Counseling is done in person, over the phone, or online over webcam (Skype).
Coaching
Coaching consists of one-on-one sessions that involve ongoing guidance. Coaching may have a bit more of an educational focus, centering on moving forward and meeting goals with more emphasis on results and outcomes than feelings. In coaching, we often talk about how cancer has affected different parts of your life, such as your work and relationships, so that you can gain clarity about what is happening in those areas. You learn new skills and strategies to cope with and manage your current situation and ultimately build a more satisfying life, despite a cancer diagnosis or cancer history. Coaching is done in person, over the phone, or online over webcam (Skype).
If the two approaches sound similar, it’s because they are. The major difference in counseling and coaching in my practice, is that counseling focuses more on feelings/emotions than coaching, and can involve taking a look at how the past influences the present. Counseling and coaching can both be as action-focused and solution-oriented as an individual desires, but coaching focuses more on results and reaching goals than on sorting out feelings and improving emotional states, compared to counseling. Again, most people benefit from a blend of the two approaches.
Structure
Individual Sessions:
Individual sessions are 50 minutes in duration and are conducted in person, over the phone, or online over webcam (Skype). I am now also offering 25 minute phone sessions. You may schedule these sessions every week, every other week, once a month, or as needed. There is no commitment beyond each individual session, and you may pay by check or cash at the session.
Initial Consultation
Our first consultation is conducted over the phone, is about 15 minutes long, and is free of charge. During this conversation, we will talk about how I might be able to help you and I will answer any questions you may have. This will help us to get an idea about whether or not we may be a good match to work together. If you decide you would like to move forward with more counseling/coaching, we will set up our first meeting.
First Session
Our first session is different than the sessions that will follow. This session is offered at a low fee, and the first half of the session is “administrative,” where we will go over the necessary paperwork to get started. The second half of the session I consider to be a two-way “interview.” I will be asking you questions and gathering more information about what has been going on in your life that brought you to counseling/coaching, and we will talk about what you would like to get from our work together. You will have an opportunity to ask questions about how the counseling/coaching process works and find out more about my practice. This will be an opportunity for you to develop a clearer opinion about what it would be like to work with me and to decide if you think we are well suited to work together, and I will be able to get a good idea about whether I would be the most helpful counselor for you. If we both find it to be a good match for us to work together, we will make our second appointment.
Second Session (and those following)
Each session that follows our initial session will be driven by the goals we set up in the first session. You can bring in questions or concerns that are on your mind. If you’re not sure what you would like to talk about, then we will figure out together what is the best thing to talk about on that day that would serve you in making progress toward your goals.
Other FAQ’s
Cost
Please call to find out about current fees and insurance coverage. I am now also offering 1/2 sessions for 1/2 the cost, which makes counseling and coaching affordable for almost everyone.
Frequency and Number of Sessions
Each session is either 25 or 50 minutes in length. Frequency and number of counseling and coaching sessions varies for each individual. Some people need only one or two sessions a month and others would like to come more often. Most people benefit by having sessions every week or every other week, especially when starting out, and often decrease the frequency as time goes by. Sometimes people have weekly sessions for a number of months, and then take a “break” to come back as needed. Other times, people have sessions twice a month over an extended period of time until they have reached the goals they set initially. Ultimately, you are in control of the frequency and number of your sessions. We tailor your use of services to what you need.
Office Hours & Location
At this time, appointments are booked Mondays and Tuesdays, from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. My office is located in Portland, Maine.
Phone and Video Counseling & Coaching Available!
I have been using telephone and webcam counseling and coaching to great success for individual sessions with people throughout Maine. (Available for Maine residents only due to licensure laws.) Phone and video counseling and coaching is a good alternative if you live at a distance, have difficulty traveling to my office, or simply want the convenience and comfort of doing sessions from your home or office. You can have counseling or coaching sessions while traveling with phone or video counseling. If you choose to meet with me online, we will use Skype, a free, high quality video conferencing program that allows us to see and hear each other using your computer and a web cam (and headset if you choose). Skype is free to download on the Internet, easy to install and set up, is free of adware/malware/spyware etc and, most importantly, is confidential.
If you are interested in seeing me via telephone or ‘virtually’ on Skype, we can set things up during your free 15-minute phone consultation.
Call 207-773-1143 or e-mail me at dawn[at]awakeningcounseling.com.
Speaking Engagements & Workshops
I am available to speak to groups or conduct workshops about cancer-related topics that can be tailored to your specific needs. Topics include coping with cancer, survivorship issues, supporting people with cancer, cancer in the workplace, and many more. I can customize programs to fit the needs of your organization or group. For more information, please Contact Me.
Support Groups & Discussion Groups
I provide facilitation for support groups and discussion groups for any cancer-related clientele. Examples include:
- Health care providers who work with people with cancer and their families who need support or need to come together to discuss issues related to their jobs.
- A team of coworkers who are affected by the cancer diagnosis of a team member, and may need support so that they are enabled to support the individual while maintaining productivity in the workplace.
For more information, please Contact Me.
Mentoring Professionals
I am available to provide mentoring services for professionals who work with people affected by cancer. Mentoring can be done one-on-one or in groups. For more information, please Contact Me.
Now that you know more about How I Work, and my Services, please read more About Me or About My Cancer Journey.
To schedule a session or set up an initial phone consultation at no charge, call me at 207-773-1143 or email me at dawn[at]awakeningcounseling.com.
