FAQs

Is coaching right for me?

Coaching may be a great fit for you! Coaching can be powerful if you:

• find yourself trying to figure out what you want or need, what goals are truly important to you, and then how to make it happen

• know you want to make changes in your life, but feel “stuck” and need help overcoming barriers like anxiety, ambivalence, or simple inertia

• need help identifying and breaking free from patterns and beliefs that aren’t serving you so you can move into the freedom and fullness of your best life

• are seeking better life balance between “multitasking”/chores and self-care/growth

• are ready to step out of your comfort zone and take an active part in improving your well-being, and to learn more about self-care, self-compassion, and self-respect along the way

• want a sounding board—someone to help you process your feelings and thoughts and find your truths in a safe, confidential, and affirmative/nonjudgmental space—and a mirror—someone to reflect what you are saying and doing so you can truly see yourself

• are trying to make a major life decision and need help sorting through information and options, deciphering what those options mean to you

• want supportive partnership—someone to accompany you as you work through challenge or transition, to support you and share the journey

• want someone to help inspire you to do things beyond what you thought you could do, help hold you accountable in your steps towards your goals, and to celebrate your progress along the way

• want to go beyond talking and start doing—staying activated, taking measurable action after each session, fostering truly meaningful and sustainable changes in your life.

What does a coaching session look like?

It depends!

My approach is to begin by working with you to clarify your own vision of ideal wellness so that we can move in that direction. This process looks different if you enter the process with a specific problem that is bothering you, or if you are seeking to broadly enhance an overall feeling of improved whole person (holistic) health. I may send you some online tools to explore before our first session to help you define your own starting point.

In our 50 minute sessions, I create a safe, confidential, sacred place for you to be able to speak your truths authentically and be heard. Further questioning serves to identify and build on the strengths and resources you already have, looking both at past successes and potential obstacles as we journey together.

Each session generally ends by collaborating to develop “action steps” or “homework”; small, measurable goals that YOU create to move forward. These steps are a critical part of the power of coaching compared to other forms of “therapy.” Action steps serve to forward your learning even if you don’t “succeed” in achieving them that week! Each achievable step helps build your self-knowledge and confidence, empowering your optimism that you can make the long term changes you seek.

I am meeting with clients in person or virtually through Zoom, in a private setting. Each option has its advantages, and I work with clients to develop their best approach.

Does insurance cover coaching?

At this time, integrative health coaching is not covered by insurance; you are responsible for payment at the time of service, or by purchasing a group of sessions before beginning. Some Health Savings Accounts may cover coaching as a reimbursable expense; check with your HSA to clarity your individual policy’s coverage.

The advantage of not going through an insurance company is that there is no risk of your confidential records being audited or exported to insurance groups, avoiding any risk of breaches of confidentiality. It also ensures that I can keep the focus on what you want to cover in our sessions, rather than “wrestling” our conversations to justify a formal “check box” or “diagnostic code.” You don’t need to have an “illness” or diagnosis to benefit from health coaching!

Will Dr. Fischer be my medical doctor?

In short…. no.

As a family physician for three decades, I’ve cared for patients of diverse ages, cultural backgrounds and needs. I bring that broad experience, knowledge and commitment to my coaching. I love the privilege of taking the time to bring my clients the gifts of listening and valuing their individual narrative, allowing them to make their own educated choices. Doctors are generally “prescriptive” in telling you their advice of what they think you should do; a coach should elicit your voice instead. It is important that I do not mix the two roles in my coaching practice.

In my scope of practice as an integrative coach I am NOT practicing medicine, offering specific medical advice, prescribing medications, or establishing a relationship as my clients’ physician.

Because of my unique background, I do particular coaching of clients facing illness or medical crisis in their life or their families. I can help clients to better understand their own physicians’ advice, or to mindfully navigate through complex treatment decision-making when faced with illness, by helping them sort through and seek information and ensure their choices align with their values.

I am happy to refer you to an appropriate medical professional if those needs arise during coaching.