[acb-hsp] ACB-HSP conference call summary for April 1, 2012

[Marleen O'Neill]

The call began at 8:30 pm. EDT, 5:30 pm. PDT.  Our speaker for this month
was Linda Porelle, who spoke about becoming a life coach, and how she
decided to do that.  Linda has worked for quite some time at the San
Francisco Lighthouse, and she related how much she enjoyed her career there,
and conveyed her affection for her clients.  However, she felt that she
wanted to do something different.  She investigated the myriad of life
coaching programs on the internet, and found that the life coaching program
run by Martha Beck made sense to her.  She started out being coached by one
of Martha Beck's Master Coaches, and subsequently decided to become a Master
Coach herself.  In her coaching classes, she learned about working with
clients to identify the area of least satisfaction in their lives.  Once
this area has been identified, the coach could implement a technique called
"The Work", which is a process to help the client see the situation
differently.  This technique was developed by Byron Katie.  In its most
basic form, one asks 4 basic questions about things in their lives they wish
were different.  First, they ask if the situation is true, (For example, I
can't communicate with my children).  Second, they ask if they know the
situation to be absolutely true.  Third, they ask how their thoughts and
feelings about the situation effect their emotional well-being.  Finally,
they ask what their lives would be like if the situation were different.
When these questions are answered, the individual begins the turnaround, in
which they view themselves in the opposite situation (For example, I can
communicate with my children).  Martha also speaks about a cycle of change,
which has 4 parts.  The first part is a life-changing event(For example,
marriage, moving, career change).  The second part is dreaming, in which you
construct an ideal based on this event.  The third part is integrating your
dreams with reality.  However, it is necessary to realize that this
integration may fail, and you'll have to start the process over.  The fourth
part is where reality and your ideal coalesce.  Linda stated that she first
was coached by one of Martha Beck's Master Coaches.  She then entered a
nine-month training to become a Master Coach, which ends in June.  Then, she
will coach one of the Master Coaches, and she will take an exam before being
certified by Martha Beck.  The program costs $6,000, and is done mostly by
phone.  She did attend a few seminars in Phoenix during her training.  A
question was asked about the difference between life coaching and
psychotherapy.  Linda compared the difference between a life coach and a
therapist to the difference between a medical doctor and a personal trainer.
The medical doctor and the therrapist are healers, whereas the personal
trainer and the life coach seek to optimnize the individual's physical and
emotional well-being, respectively.  She also pointed out that her training
provided strict guidelines for coaches so they don't attempt to venture into
the realm of a therapist.  If the life coach feels that the client is not
progressing, he/she may recommend the client seek therapy.  Finally, Linda
told us that Martha has written several books about her life, and about
coaching.  The books about her life include "Expecting Adam", a book about
her son who has Down's Syndrome, "Leaving The Saints", a book about her
decision to leave the Mormon Church, and "The Joy Diet", containing
exercises for a more joyful life.  Her coaching books include "Finding Your
Way In A Wild New World", "follow Your North Star", and "The Four-Day Win".
All of these books are available on Audible and Bookshare, and "Expecting
Adam" is also available in Braille from NLS.  The meeting ended at 9:15 pm.
EDT., 6:15 pm. PDT.

Respectfully Submitted
Marleen O'Neill
Secretary
ACB-HSP
American Council of the Blind
Human Service Professionals

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