Life Coach Interview: Rebecca Thesman
Life Coach Interview: Rebecca Thesman
Q1.)How did you get into life coaching?
A1.)As a result of my work as Program Director at GateWay of Hope Ministries. The Executive Director received information from the American Association of Christian Counselors about Life Coaching Courses through Liberty University. She asked me if I was interested and once I looked into it, I realized it was the perfect fit for me. So I enrolled and completed the online courses, then became a Certified Christian Life Coach.
Q2.)What’s your favorite part about being a life coach?
A2.)I love that a-ha moment when women realize something has changed – when we work toward a goal and they actually see the results in their lives. This gives them hope and encourages them to keep going forward in life. I love being part of the Kingdom-changing force that allows women to use their gifts for the glory of God.
Q3.)What are the biggest misconceptions about Life Coaching?
A3.)One misconception is that Life Coaching is the same as counseling. Although I explain the difference in our initial consultation, I think many women are so conditioned to answering “How do you feel about that?” instead of “Which direction would you like to go?” And so many women have been conditioned into the negatives of pain along with low self-confidence, they can’t conceive that life can indeed be different. When they begin to see changes happening in their lives, then they realize it’s okay to take care of themselves and move forward with a positive outlook.
Q4.)How do you incorporate God or biblical principles into your life coaching?
A4.)I don’t push God on anybody, because that is the Holy Spirit’s job. But God is always present within our coaching sessions. If my clients want to, we will pray about the direction they want to go and the steps they will begin to take. If we are working on any types of spiritual challenges, I will personally commit to praying for my clients and I send weekly encouragement Bible verses and inspirational cards. Because GateWay of Hope is a Christian nonprofit, we don’t apologize for our beliefs and we are always available to answer questions about God. And since we are whole persons – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – the principles of faith are part of our lives and thus – part of Life Coaching.
Q5.)What is the biggest benefit that your clients rave about after working with you?
A5.) The things they have learned about themselves and about how God has a good plan for their lives. Helping my clients to believe that truth and embrace it is exciting for both of us. When my clients begin to see that they can be authentic women and conquer their challenges, their self-esteem soars and they become even more committed to serving God in their communities and families.
Q6.)In order to get the most from life coaching, what advice would you give to someone looking to become a coaching client?
A6.) Be honest about your challenges and about the obstacles you are facing. Be willing to consider your strengths and use them to conquer your weaknesses. Believe that God has a good plan for you and that you will indeed see the results of that plan. It’s not selfish to work on yourself. As women, we spend so much of life nurturing others and we lose ourselves in the process. It’s okay to embrace your own gifts and be proactive in using them.
Q7.)What current project(s) are you working on?
A7.) For my SOS women (Starting Over Single), I’m looking for individuals, churches, corporations to sponsor these women. Many of them are just barely holding their heads above the financial flood waters, still coming back from legal debt and the struggles of divorce. They need some financial support to be involved in our SOS group and/or to become my coaching clients. I’m particularly looking for influential and powerful women who will help, because women understand more than anyone else how to help other women. I’m looking for women who want to pay back from their own growth and help the SOS women who are wanting to reinvent themselves.
Q8.)Any final thoughts about sharing your life coaching with my blog readers?
A8.)I appreciate the opportunity, and I think the one message I would like to share is for women to embrace their gifts. We have been so put-down by abuses in society, the home and even in the institutional church. We are, after all, half the church and we were created in the image of God. We each have a unique place to serve and individual gifts to use. So…if you’re stuck and don’t know how to find yourself, consider a Life Coach who will help you over that hump so that you can move forward with joy.
LIFE COACH BIO: Rebecca Thesman
As Program Director and Life Coach at GateWay of Hope Ministries, Rebecca Thesman helps women find their authentic selves and move forward with hope. Thesman is the Author of “The Unraveling of Reverend G” as well as over 500 articles and 12 compilations. She is a Certified Life Coach, a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, a Stephen Minister, a Biblical Counselor and editor and owner of Do It Write Editorial Services. Thesman lives in the heartland of Kansas with her son and an elderly cat.
Links:
http://www.GWHope.org
http://www.rjthesman.net
http://rebeccat@GWHope.org
https://www.facebook.
(c) 2013 Cheryl Cope
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2013