FAQs
Q: Can we meet in person?
A: All sessions take place virtually on a secure platform called “Jane App.”
Q: Are virtual sessions as effective as in person sessions?
A: In short, yes! I have seen clients virtually for years and it is highly effective. There are pros and cons to virtual care. Some of the pros are: 1) Convenience, 2) Efficiency (cuts out commute time), 3) Some folks prefer a degree of separation on the screen, and 4) Access to a coach who lives in another state/country. The main cons are: 1) Internet connectivity issues, 2) Not being able to see all of someone’s body language, and 3) Interruptions in the form of pings and dings on computers or phones. There are ways to work around these cons and still have quality sessions.
Q: What is your approach to coaching?
A: I am warm, caring, attuned, and uniquely craft coaching sessions based on the individual before me. I draw from my mental health training in Internal Family Systems and Somatic Experiencing in my work with clients. These approaches are effective for trauma because they help folks move from their head (where only a fraction of the information is stored) and into their bodies.
Q: How do I know if I should choose coaching or counseling?
A: Coaching offers many of the same benefits as counseling: Trauma informed care, personalized support, education and skill development (to name a few). Coaching provides more flexibility, for instance, with location. It doesn’t matter what state/country you are a resident in, we can still meet. Coaching with Tami offers a high degree of specialization (in religious trauma) that a general counselor may not offer.
If you are experiencing severe mental health issues (e.g. suicidal ideation, major depressive episode, anxiety that makes day-to-day functioning hard, OCD), I recommend seeing a counselor. If you reside in Washington or Colorado, I am a licensed counselor in those states and can help you. Check out my therapy website here (link is coming soon).
If you’re unsure whether/not coaching is a good fit, sign up for the free 20 minute discovery call and I will help you assess this.
Q: Who do you provide services to?
A: I offer life coaching for adult (18+) individuals or couples/relationships. While I’m based in Washington, I can provide coaching services across state and country lines.
Q: What makes you unique?
A: Folks seek me out because I specialize in religious trauma/harm. In a way, it’s like finding a provider who speaks the same language as you. You won’t have to spend time explaining nuances. I get it. I offer experiential (not just talking, but also having new, reparative experiences) depth work for lasting change. What does that mean? Clients often come to me after seeing 1-2 generic counselors who have laid the foundation, but they want more. They want change to be organic and last. This takes time and effort, but I’ve seen it happen over and over.
For me, coaching is like art. It involves a foundation of training and skill (which I have as a mental health counselor for 15 years), the involvement of who I am as a person, and careful attention to your emotional state and needs. I am always doing my own internal work, am an intuitive, healing presence, and I limit my client load so that I can really pay attention and remember what you tell me. I am a mother and also get what it is to be a parent in the modern day world. I genuinely care. I’ve been in the mental health field 15+ years and specialized in religious trauma for over 5 years.
Q: What is your current faith identity?
A: While I am no longer “Christian,” I am a spiritual person. For me, rather than believing in a single deity, spirituality means connection (to myself, others, and nature) and creative expression (in art, movement, and even how I parent).
Q: Will you try to persuade me to leave or return to my religious group?
A: Absolutely not. I’m not anti-God, just anti-harm. I have no agenda apart from understanding what you want and supporting you on your journey. If faith is a helpful part of your process, I will meet you there and even direct you toward your spirituality as a resource. If you want no part of faith, I will support you in other ways.
Q: How much does a session cost?
A: Standard 50 minute sessions are $175. I also offer 90 minute sessions for $315. I have a limited number of sliding scale sessions for those who require financial assistance. If cost is the main factor, sign up for a 20 minute free discovery call and we can discuss this.
Q: How long does coaching take?
A: The beauty of private pay is that you get to dictate the length of time and pace. Some clients are with me for a few months, others stay for years. Everyone is different. In general, folks who can attend sessions weekly make progress faster than those who attend less frequently. If you are motivated and have capacity, I offer homework between sessions to deepen the work we’re doing. In general, I’ve seen great progress in 6 months of weekly or 12 months of every other week sessions. With trauma work, slow is fast. Sometimes folks need more time between sessions and it takes a while to open up. That is okay!