About My Coaching Practice
My practice is called Roots & Keys Life + Relationship Coaching, (that's its full government name!) and it was founded in 2021 after I decided I wanted to take a break from providing traditional therapy. Coaching is something new to a lot of people. You know about therapy, but these are very different approaches to human healing. I enjoy doing both, but they're not interchangeable. Let's figure out which is best for you.
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In short: coaching is more forward-focused and skills-focused. It assumes relative wellness, with no active mental health issues. We do not dwell in the past, and we do not process trauma. We focus solely on today and tomorrow and "what to do." (If you aren't sure which you need, go here)
One major difference is that unlike therapy, which relies on the continuity of regular sessions, in coaching I can see you every other week or twice a year- whatever works best for you - and still have the same level of investment from me in your happiness. You never "lose your spot" because I practice coaching in such a way that folks can just come and go; the relationship we develop becomes a touchstone you can come back to when you need it. I sincerely love my clients and am deeply invested in your wellbeing. And my group sessions reflect the amazing range of humans I tend to attract!
(*HINT HINT COME TO GROUP STUFF*)
(Also- side note- if you're concerned about credentials and expertise because "life coach" sounds unserious, I fully understand. I have an MSW from Wash U ('05) and I've been a licensed clinical social worker since 2011 and am licensed in MO + IL, which is why I can also offer therapy in my other business. If therapy sounds more like what you're looking for, click here to go to my other website.)
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I will say more below about specific human profiles + concerns that interest me, but you can also assess whether I feel good to you, and trust your gut that we'll vibe.
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Fees* for in person in St Louis, or virtual anywhere in the world:
$150/regular session (55 minutes)
$225/90 minutes
$300/2 hours​
*Packages and discounts are available on my calendar- book all of that here.
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PS My husband Rodney is also a counselor (pictured below) and sees clients with me in person and virtually on his own...email me to book with him. He's a goddamn delight!)
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Relationship Coaching:
​My core belief about relationships: all relationships have their own culture.
If everyone in the relationship would say they are happy and satisfied, then whatever you are doing or not doing in that relationship is “normal.” But if you are not satisfied, that means there is room for improvement.
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It's not enough to want to have a healthy relationship. You have to have the capacity and the ability as well. You have to be willing to practice, try new things, fail, and try again. That’s where coaching support comes in.
Doing the work may not magically heal your relationship- since I am not, in fact, a magician- but it absolutely helps to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with each other.
It can absolutely help you determine whether you should stay together. I’m trained as a mediator, so I’m particularly skilled at identifying win/wins and proposing compromises that don’t “cost” anyone too much.
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Here are some examples of things we might cover:
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Communication
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Conflict resolution
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Premarital negotiations
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Sex (disconnects in drive, interest, style)
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Ethical non-monogamy or polyamory (early or continuing)
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Lifestyle/swinger dynamics
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Interracial relationship dynamics
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Empty nest
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Separation + Divorce
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Rebuilding trust
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New parent challenges
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(NOTE: If you believe your relationship requires mental health therapy, that is not my lane. My marriage/couples work is all in the coaching realm, which I think is appropriate for most couples, especially if you both currently have your own individual therapist also or have done therapy in the past.)
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Relationships I particularly love to work with...
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💙ENM/poly couples - I love helping people navigate their boundaries and agreements and deal with jealousy in a healthy way. (Really, I love all "nontraditional" relationship dynamics! I'm very queer/trans/nonbinary celebratory and kink/BDSM-friendly)
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🧡Premarital work- I love helping couples figure out early the stuff that will cause them problems later in their marriage (especially if/once you add kids!) I specifically offer a 3 session structured series to explore values, communication, parenting ideas, boundaries, etc for couples to dig into before they make that big step.
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💙Interracial relationships- There are unique challenges to dating/marrying across cultures, and I love helping couples navigate these. I am married to a Black man and we have a young Black daughter, so this is something I regularly work on myself. (Decolonizing my practice is ongoing work). If it's a cultural context I am not familiar with, I am ok with being in a learning mode during our sessions as well. I strive to not allow my whiteness to take up space in our sessions.
🧡Discernment- Should you stay together? Sometimes it has come down to this question and you need someone objective and neutral to help you determine the best course of action. I can also help you divorce well, which is a real thing. You can be kind and amicable and loving in the process of ending a relationship, which is especially crucial if you have children together.
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💙Boomers + adult GenX/millenial children - I love helping them understand each other's very different communication styles and cultural attitudes. There are huge generational divides here that we often feel but can't name, but they form a pattern of connection that doesn't always feel great, despite deep parent/child love.
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​💙🧡ANY + ALL RELATIONSHIPS that would benefit from my eye for patterns, skill in communication + conflict/repair, mediation training, etc etc. I fundamentally believe that relationships should be, if not easy, at least "Easyish" (shameless plug: I wrote a book about this!)
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Other Human Things I particularly love to work with...
💙Trying to figure out what to do next: in life, a relationship, a career
🧡 Help with boundary-setting or rehearsing/planning for hard conversations
💙Individual support for ENM/poly or sexual exploration/questioning
🧡General overwhelm or WTF stuff
💙Support through changes, exploration, identity shifts
🧡Planning for and processing death + dying
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How To Book Sessions:
just click âž¡ here
FUN FACT: I am introverted and HATE talking on the phone. Literally I will avoid making appointments if I can't just do it myself online. I want that for you too! I use an app called Calendly for all 1:1 and relationship sessions, as well as group stuff, workshops, discounts + session sales, packages...it is all right there in one place. Feel free to email or text me with specific questions.
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PS Use code NEW30 for $30 off your first 55 min OR NEW25 for $25 off your first 90 minute appointment!