Behavior Coaching
Feeling stuck?
Having trouble making changes or meeting your goals?
I use the principles of behavioralism to help coach you to success.
All behavior is learned, conditioned, and reinforced. Let’s think of behavior as habits, which means that all the habits you have, you’ve learned. Conversely, you can unlearn them and learn better/healthier ones!
In addition to being a Marriage and Family Therapist, I am a board-certified behavior analyst and a marriage and family therapist. I started in the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis in 2012. It was somewhat accidental; I was offered a part-time job to help support me while I was in a marriage and family internship. But I discovered that I loved it! Behavioralism considers itself a hard science, meaning it is data- and research driven. I appreciate something that is so clear cut and precise. I have studied many aspects of behavioralism including education, early intervention, working with adults, and business elements. In 2018, I discovered coaching podcasts and was drawn to the way they utilized the principles of behaviorism to discuss creating new habits and coaching to success. I would listen and say, “hey that’s just behavioralism!” In 2019, I decided to launch my own behavioral coaching program. I am really excited to take the principles of behavioralism and use them to help you achieve your goals.
Behavior analysis is the science of behavior, with a history extending back to the early 20th century. Its underlying philosophy is behaviorism, which is based upon the premise that attempting to improve the human condition through behavior change (e.g., education, behavioral health treatment) will be most effective if behavior itself is the primary focus, rather than less tangible concepts such as the mind and willpower.
To date, basic behavior-analytic scientists have conducted thousands of studies to identify the laws of behavior; that is, the predictable ways in which behavior is learned and how it changes over time.
The underlying theme of much of this work has been that behavior is a product of its circumstances, particularly the events that immediately follow the behavior. Applied behavior analysts have been using this information to develop numerous techniques and treatment approaches for analyzing and changing behavior, and ultimately, to improve lives. Because this approach is largely based on behavior and its consequences, the techniques generally involve teaching individuals more effective ways of behaving and making changes to social consequences of existing behavior.
What can I expect in a behavior coaching session with you?
Before we get started I send you an optional questionnaire to get you thinking about your goal.
In our first session I get to know you and discuss your goal as well as establishing a realistic time frame to accomplish it.
After our first meeting, I write you a unique step-by-step guide to attaining your goal. Included in the plan is an accountability/progress tracking component.
In our second meeting, we will go over that plan and make any necessary changes.
After that we have weekly meetings to discuss your progress and make any additional changes.
What is behavioralism?
It is the science behind why we do what we do. The idea that all behavior is learned. It becomes a habit because it is reinforced or we avoid it due it being aversive.
How can the principles of behaviorism help me create new habits and meet my goals?
Together, we examine the factors around the goal you want to achieve. I may help you modify it in order to make it more achievable. I will examine environmental factors that may hinder or support your progress. And we will identify ways to reinforce the behavior as well as how to eliminate aversive stimulus.