FAQs

What is the difference between

Therapy and Coaching?

Although both therapy and coaching are invested in the clients personal awareness and life improvement, coaching is very different from therapy in a number of important ways. First, the coaching profession supports personal and professional growth and development based on client-initiated change in pursuit of specific desired outcomes. In coaching, success is always defined by the client, which stands in contrast to something like a psychological condition that receives its definition of success through a societal standard or that of the therapist.
Coaching is also about moving forward. In fact, it is ALL about moving forward! While therapeutic approaches typically deal with healing past an present pain, dysfunction, or deep, often difficult-to- resolve conflicts from the client’s experiences, coaching is future focused, and the conversations always begin with the present moment.

What is Whole Person Coaching?

Whole Person Coaching is a holistic transformational learning process based on the premise that when you come to fully embody, embrace, and express all aspects of your whole self, you are positioned to thrive in any aspect of life. You become rich in resources, grounded in your being, and at peace within.
The WPC methodology is firmly rooted in four distinct yet interrelated principles:
Wholeness: The client is whole, completely resourceful, and self-innovative.
Empowerment: The client leads the way by drawing on their innate power, creativity, and capacity.
Interdependence: The coaching relationship is co-creative and generative, where the coach and client work as a team to map out goals as well as actionable steps that will lead the client to success!
Self-Mastery: Through the coaching process, the client learns self reliance in all aspects of their life, gaining tools that they will use long after the coaching relationship ends.

With me as a guide, I will offer not only support through active listening and communication, but also through self awareness exercises, body work and light movement, as well as mindfulness meditation.

What is Fresh Path NY?

Our online therapists are here to provide a safe and affirming space. We are committed to seeing you as you are and where you are. Our team is dedicated and specialized in issues affecting LGTBTQ+, POC and Open & Poly communities and will work with you to create positive change in self-esteem, confidence in your life choices, and enhance your relationships.

What is a

Trauma-Informed Coach?

As a Certified Trauma-Informed Coach I encourage my clients to step forward into the life they want while also acknowledging that we all hold past trauma within us, whether it is large catastrophic events (big T trauma) or small consistent ruptures (little t trauma), and everything in between.

I help my clients self-create the safety, connection and respect they need. I work to understand and support my clients through the use of Relational Neuroscience and Psychology.

-I work to understand the different forms of trauma and its effects on the whole person.

-I work to recognize the indicators of trauma and responsibly offer support while working with the whole person.

-I will help my clients uncover some of their triggers and offer techniques for self regulation.

-I motivate my clients to self-master their unique circumstances so they can move into the life they are truly meant to live.

-I responsibly offer referrals if I feel deeper trauma work needs to be explored with a licensed therapist.

Knowledge is power and I offer my clients foundational information on the Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn response, Attachment Theory, the Window of Tolerance and more, as a way for them to gain control and awareness of their triggers, and offer ways to sooth themselves in moments of activation.

What are your covid protocols?

Due to the pandemic, I currently only offer tele-health services via Doxy.me, Simple Practice or Zoom.

Do you only work with with people in open relationships?

Nope! Although my focus is primarily on working within the open relationship and LGBTQIA+ communities, all of my training and techniques as a Whole Person Coach also apply to more traditional monogamous and heteronormative identities and structures! So, Come one, come all!

Do you take health insurance?

Unfortunately, no. All coaching services are out of pocket cost.

Do you offer Sliding Scale?

Yes! If you feel you are in need of sliding scale services, please refer to the information and graphic below to determine where you might fall.

The highest dollar cost reflects the true cost of the coaching service. It is the cost that the Coach would charge all clients in the absence of a sliding scale. If you have access to financial security, own property or have personal savings, you would not traditionally qualify for sliding scale services. If you are able to pay for "wants" and spend little time worried about securing necessities in your life, you have economic privilege and power in our community. This price is for you. ($130 for 60min)

The middle cost reflects the clients acknowledgement that paying the full cost would prevent some folks from being able to attend, but who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either descriptions for the highest cost or the lowest. If you are struggling to conquer debt or build savings or move away from paycheck to paycheck living but have access to steady income and are not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, child care, etc., you belong here. ($100 for 60min)

If you, however, can ask others for financial support, such as family members, partners, or friends, please consider using those personal resources before you use the resources of the sliding scale and limit opportunities for others.

The bottom cost represents an honest acknowledgment by the coach and client that there are folks whose economic circumstances would prevent them from being a part of the coaching experience if there was not a deliberate opportunity made for them to access services at a cost that is reflective of their economic realities. If you struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, child care, and are living paycheck to paycheck or are in significant debt, you probably belong here and you deserve a community that honors your price as equal an economic offering as the person who can pay the highest tier. ($50 for 60min)

There is a limited amount slots for services offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you choose a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities. It also respects the work of therapist and coaches, like myself, who have families to support and rent to pay. Additionally, when I am paid fairly, I am able to invest more time and resources to free and lower cost offerings.

Here you'll find a graph illustrated with three bottles. Each bottle contains sentences that describe a person's current financial experience and class to help you determine where you may fall on the sliding scale.

At the end of the day, the sliding scale thrives on trust. Trust is a pretty amazing thing. I trust you to be honest in your assessment of your economic reality. Since the sliding scale is a tool of accountability, it is an ongoing conversation and I remain committed to helping folks figure out a way forward.

Graphic and content created byAlexis J. Cunningfolk and only reproduced for the use herein.