Frequently Asked Questions

What coaching is not

Coaching isn't therapy or psychiatry. It's also not another set of hacks or a quick fix for problems you've been facing for years: charting / inbox management, work-life integration, division of labor at home, family concerns, goals, stress and conflict.

It's an individualized approach, grounded in evidence and science, where we work together to find real pathways through those problems, and others like them.

How is this different from therapy?

Therapy typically looks backward, understanding where a pattern came from, processing past experience, treating diagnosable conditions. Coaching looks forward. We start from where you are now and explore multiple possible pathways toward the life and career you actually want, with accountability along the way. If something comes up that's better suited to therapy, I'll say so directly.

What actually happens in a session?

Each session is a focused, 50-minute conversation on Zoom, not a lecture, not a checklist. We work on whatever is most pressing for you that week, whether that's a specific decision, a recurring pattern, or a bigger question about your next steps. You leave with clarity and something concrete to try, not just a good conversation.

How many sessions before I notice a difference?

Most physicians feel a shift by the second or third session. Coaching is cumulative. Early sessions build the foundation (naming what's actually going on, getting specific about goals) and the momentum builds from there.

Why not just talk to a friend instead?

Coaching is genuinely different. It is grounded in real research, psychological principles, and tested best practices, not just good intentions.

A coach listens closely, but won't simply agree with you the way a friend often will. A coach also won't just tell you what to do. If the problem you're bringing to a session were easy to solve, you probably would have solved it already. We use a range of techniques to look at your goals and problems from angles you haven't tried yet, and find next steps that actually feel right to you.

Do you work with both men and women?

Yes. I coach both, and the work is tailored to you specifically, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Do we only talk about medicine?

No. We'll work on whatever is most relevant to you and will allow you to move closer to the life that you want to live long term, and not need a break from. Our work and home lives are always intertwined, and we discuss whatever is needed at the time.

Is coaching only for physicians who are struggling or burned out?

No. In fact, coaching is a powerful way to grow your career, your health, and your life overall. Coaching can help you step into leadership, set ambitious goals, and strengthen your relationships.