Coaching Services

Virtual coaching services allow skill-based assistance, delivered at a distance using the VSee App.

Coaching may also make sense if you do not require mental health counseling and/or live outside of Maryland where I am licensed in mental health. It may be appropriate if you solely need help acquiring/rehearsing specific skills and assistance in particular matters, which could include:

—communication and assertiveness training
—parenting education
—understanding your own motivation and values
—job/career path and values discernment

Therapy Coaching
When there’s been a doctor/hospital referral, an ongoing or new mental health diagnosis. Client seeks strategies/expertise to guide thinking through a challenge and developing appropriate solutions.
Past trauma or stress that’s caused anxiety, depressed/low mood, anger symptoms. Sessions informational, exploring options; not as much emotional content but behavioral change.
Mental health symptoms must be addressed, through immediate and/or ongoing treatment (even though client may not recognize). Coach helps to identify areas of indecision or confusion; collaboratively maps out to-do steps. May take fewer sessions.
Intake whereby therapist assesses emotion and symptoms, applies diagnosis for insurance coverage (dependent upon benefits). Bound by HIPAA, CPT codes & insurance, which can request treatment review/records and often insists upon face-to-face, office-based sessions. Educational emphasis and sessions deem shorter term because they are problem-dependent, not the result of years of emotional process. Could be done by phone or by using an encrypted virtual app. In collabora­tive divorce, a team approach requiring office sessions that do not leave the drama and scars that litigation does.

This chart, along with Ms. Oberlin’s hearing about your concerns, will help to decide whether therapy or coaching is right for you. Both coaching and counseling sessions remain confidential. With coaching or collaborative law, no diagnosis must be given, and no insurance paperwork will be processed.

Coaching can be done at a distance. If your needs specifically meet the coaching criteria, use the coaching contact link on this website to contact the practice. Then, Loriann will send you the most up-to-date paperwork, fee schedule and details.

“Thanks for teaching me how to deal with difficult people, how to express myself and stand up to those who have taken advantage of my kinder side. I read your book about passive-aggressive people and had not stopped to consider how people-pleasing I was. All that has changed. A brick has been lifted, and I can see the effects both at work and in my personal relationships.” — a man in midlife

CANCELLATION POLICY is 48 hours in advance of your appointment OR FRIDAY in advance of a Monday appointment. Reminders for appointments are not guaranteed; in fact, they are rare. Should you miss or cancel scheduled appointments within this 48-hour window, it cannot be billed to your insurance company and you will be responsible for the charges at my usual and customary fees.

Out of session time necessary for proper case coordination with physicians, school counselors, other treating providers, attorneys and anyone else is billed at my hourly rate, pro-rated. Outside of quarterly or yearly statements, administrative fees may apply for paperwork/invoicing as payment is due at time of service. Therefore, once again, please know your benefits as this knowledge empowers you as the consumer.

Regrettably, though communicated in a myriad of ways, billing issues and misunderstandings regarding the 48-hour or Friday-before-Monday notice wreaks havoc on the therapeutic relationship. I always want to avoid that.

True emergencies mean a death in the immediate family, an ER or hospital visit, a bed-ridden or seriously contagious illness. Sports practice, games, having to work, or a babysitter cancelling are not exempt from this policy. You can avoid hassle/fees by setting reminders, keeping in close communication of potential problems in your schedule. Email is preferred; phone message as well; text only during business hours and ONLY for scheduling snafus or if you do not have email access.

THERAPY COLLEAGUES:
Having taught many years of adult continuing education, Loriann provides coaching for colleagues in private practice. Please contact her through this website for further assistance.