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FAQ'S

What is Shamanism?
It is the art of using all aspects of existence to generate change.

What is so special about Shamanic Coaching?
It is an eclectic approach based in pragmatism in that I use a full range of disciplines to create as much change as soon as possible for my clients. This range includes working with other aspects of existence. Our ancestors understood and some ancient traditions that still exist today understand that we inhabit more than just physical bodies. When we can work with these additional aspects of ourselves, we can powerfully affect our physical world. Shamanic Coaching is like performing arthroscopic surgery while using MRI to see what is hidden in a body. It goes beyond what is visible on the surface to affect deep change.

What is the goal of Shamanic Coaching?
The primary goal is to restore the magic back in a client's life and have it be sustainable. My goal is to get my clients to not need me, and my intent is to get them to be self-generating. In other words, clients start doing for themselves many of the functions I initially perform. However, I do remain available for them after they have achieved their original goals. For some clients, my work with them shifts to more of an ancillary position of ongoing support.

Shamanic Coaching sounds as if it is a new age therapy.
I agree. Unfortunately, many approaches out there are not grounded in results. Shamanic Coaching's foundation comes from lineages that stretch back thousands of years. These ancient traditions transcend centuries because they work. I use these "techniques" because they are the most effective and enduring. I am willing to stretch the envelope of traditional coaching to deepen the results for those who want to experience something beyond the standard.

Do you need to believe in alterative approaches?
All you need to be is open to the experience. You are always in control.

Who uses a Shamanic Coach?
Business owners, executives, professionals and people up against a place that just will not shift. Clients are often people who have tried other processes and experienced benefits but want more. Some are looking for a method that is out-of-the-box because they feel that's where they or their goals reside. Some want to make a difference that extends beyond their own lives. Some are looking to heal an aspect of themselves that so far has not shifted.

What specialties do you have?
Because of my own journey and years of experience with clients with neurological conditions that can be limiting, I thoroughly enjoy working with clients who have Asperger's Syndrome, dyslexia and ADD/ADHD. I can often assist these clients in healing their limitations - not just adapting to them - by using the unique approaches in Shamanic Coaching. The old saying - It takes one to know one - is true. I know how difficult these non-physical conditions can be. I also know they can change.

I also appreciate working with stressed-out clients. Here too, I know what it is like to be one. As I often said in the Mindfulness Stress Course I taught, you learned to be tense, you can learn to relax. My interest concerning stress motivated me to create the blog: www.stressedout.org

Over the years, I developed an ability to see to the core of an issue, then articulate the factors behind it, and lead to its quick resolution. Just as there is brief therapy, I believe there can be brief coaching.

Why are you practicing Shamanic Coaching?
It makes my day seeing people transform themselves. As a child, I would get in trouble for being an instigator, the one saying the unspeakable. Now I am paid for waking up the sleeping giant. There is nothing more exhilarating than witnessing a client achieve a goal that he or she couldn't even speak of when he or she started.

What can I expect during a session?
The first session may be more fact-finding, subsequent sessions focus
on working on a specific outcome. Sessions will focus on the original goals set when we began and the immediate goals generated from what is presently occurring.

Can you provide some examples of things that are cleared in a Shamanic Coaching session?
The two most common are limiting beliefs and contracts or agreements we have made with others. Both will create an energetic and psychological/physical hold on change. By using specific methods of releasing energy, the belief or contract that has been blocking a client for years can just dissolve away. Other processes and approaches that are specifically derived from shamanism are used to clear the effects of trauma and stress.

What is it like working with you?
I am told it is fun and safe. Like any coach, I will hold you accountable. As an incident comes up, I will assist you in going through it and will also release the blocks or resistances to it. I am honest, and I will speak what is true for me, often in humor and always in a supportive manner. My focus is your success, even if it means losing you as a client. I will not continue to work with a client if he or she is not doing his or her part or if we are not achieving success. I am also told that how I listen is unique. Holding the space for what was not safe or encouraged before can be healing.

Is Shamanic Coaching for everyone?
It is not for everyone. I would recommend it for people searching for a coach who will go beyond traditional coaching.

What issues work well with Shamanic Coaching?
Often the issues that are more difficult for traditional methods can be easy for Shamanic Coaching. It is very similar to holistic medicine where patients are assisted in healing problems that traditional medicine struggles with. Of course, any issue or goal you would bring to a traditional coach can also be addressed.

What issues don't work well with Shamanic Coaching?
Clinical issues - issues someone would see a therapist for - are not the purpose of Shamanic Coaching. It is often true that there are not clear lines between a clinical issue and a human issue. One way to look at this distinction is to ask if the client has the necessary resources to change. For example, if a client is an addict but has not addressed that problem, Shamanic Coaching will not work. This person's addiction prevents him or her from being present. The addiction is not only sabotaging his or her life, but would certainly sabotage Shamanic Coaching.

What part does stress play in limiting me?
Stress affects us much more than we realize. Stress accumulates and becomes self-perpetuating as we become less aware of its hold on us. Besides causing disease, stress drains our resources. When the energy that went into stress and compensating for it can be released and allocated to achievement, it is as if a huge well of energy and focus has been tapped.

What is your experience as a coach?
I started coaching people 30 years ago, first in health care settings and then in business and personal settings. Some of my clients are coaches themselves. I have also taught workshops and training sessions on many of the aspects of Shamanic Coaching.

Are you a shaman?
Over 25 years ago, I was accused of being one by a teacher. I had to ask a fellow student what a shaman was. I'm still reluctant to assume that title. It is true that I base my energetic work on shamanic principles and use shamanic processes along with my own shamanic skills to assist clients.

What do you personally bring to coaching that others do not bring?
I bring a history of breaking out of boxes. My journey to do what I do was laden with Asperger's Syndrome, dyslexia and ADD. Evolving to a place where what once were limitations to a place where these limitations are gifts has taught me how to assist others out of their limitations into places of strength. The thousands of clients I have worked with in many ways have also taught me further how to transform a problem into a resource. Many of these clients were also dyslexic. Every one of them was exceedingly successful by doing it different than the norm. Often, I discover clients need help in discovering their own dyslexic nature and then how to use it in a way that works for them.

How long does it take to see results?
Some people see significant results in one session. Others will change over a period of several sessions. If you have not experienced noticeable change within three sessions, don't do more.

You primarily work over the phone with your clients. Do you ever see them in person?
Yes, clients do come to Sandpoint for in-person sessions, an intensive or a particular ceremony in the mountains of Idaho. On a less frequent basis, I will perform an intensive in a client's location.

I'm interested, but not sold on this. What is next?
Think about it. Check out more of this site. If you have a specific question, e-mail or call me. I will attempt to address your question with a brief response. If you are intrigued, schedule an initial session. If I feel I cannot help you, I will tell you and not charge you. Working with a client when it is not effective is not fun for either of us.

Since you don't know me, I realize that scheduling the first session maybe be a stretch. If - after we complete the session - you feel I did not assist you, I will refund your money.

HOW DO YOU KNOW

if Shamanic Coaching is right for you?

Any of these questions can generate a valid reason to experience a session. Does the work speak to you? Does it create a response or energy in you? Does it excite you, scare you, challenge you or move you?   Do you have a part(s) in you that you are done with, that does not serve you any longer? Is this part(s) holding you back from achieving your dreams?   Do you want to change your story? That story you have been telling yourself and others, is it old now? Would you rather be writing a new script for a new story?   Do you want to receive more in life? Is what you are getting not what you want?   Has your passion died? Is that exhilaration you once had or always wanted seeming to elude you?