Life coach offers affordable group sessions

Date published: 10/10/2006

By KATHLEEN LEWIS

Life coach Marcia Grimsley found a way to lower the cost of achieving success--at least for the goal-planning, achieving and accountability that is involved.

The Spotsylvania County woman has been offering group coaching sessions since September.

"I found that people wanted the coaching, but said they couldn't afford the cost," said Grimsley who lives near the Five-Mile Fork area.

An individual pays $85 per session. In a group, the cost is $35 per session.

A life coach or personal coach is a person trained to help someone achieve personal or professional goals.

They may be specific goals, such as writing a how-to book, starting a consulting business or running a marathon.

Less-specific goals include reducing stress, overcoming fear or having more personal time.

Grimsley said that most people understand what is keeping them from their goal. They might even read a book that explains the problem and how to overcome it. But they need to go a step further.

"Coaching brings it down into the gut, where you have to connect with feeling," she explained.

During the two-hour weekly sessions, clients focus on their individual goals.

They begin by examining the beliefs, thoughts and behavior patterns that keep them from succeeding. Then, they consider goal-oriented alternative ways of thinking and behaving. And finally, they design a plan to achieve the goal.

Along with the weekly group meetings, participants read and write assigned material to help reinforce what they learn and to create new patterns of thinking and behaving, she explained.

The process works well for individuals. But it also works for a group.

"Whenever people come together in a group, it gives them the opportunity to grow and stretch. On the down side, people have issues that they don't want to share in a group. So they have to be mindful to do their work at home," Grimsley said.

Sharing information with the group is voluntary.

"Clients can derive remarkable personal benefits with a minimum amount of personal sharing, if they choose," said Grimsley.

Although she hasn't heard much about using group coaching in the personal realm, Kim Livesay of the International Coach Federation said group coaching is commonly used in corporations. She noted that coaching specialities pop up as the professionals see a need.

"Coaches seem to be really innovative," she said.

Some people need more than coaching. Grimsley determines this during an initial interview.

She refers them to a therapist if they have addictions, severe thinking disorders or childhood abuse issues.

Grimsley has a master's degree in counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. She belongs to the International Coach Federation and Professional Coaches and Mentors Association.

She trained to become a life coach after years of working as a counselor for state and local social services agencies. She also co-owned a chiropractic clinic and was a business consultant.

Grimsley speaks to groups, teaches life-enrichment classes at Germanna Community College and facilitates empowerment workshops.

She says her greatest satisfaction comes from helping others achieve success and a high quality of life.

To reach KATHLEEN LEWIS: 540/735-1975
Email: klewis@freelancestar.com

For more information: On group life-coaching, call Marcia Grimsley at 540/785-4104 or visit her Web site at marciaslifecoaching.com. On the International Coach Federation, call toll free 888/423-3131 or visit the Web site at www.coachfederation.org.

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Date published: 10/10/2006