Federal Employee Career Counselor

Normally, sessions are 50 minutes long, although arrangements can be made for longer sessions.

The answer to that question depends entirely on the issue(s) you are seeking to resolve. If you’re coming in for something fairly straightforward, such as networking or interviewing coaching, or to improve your resume/LinkedIn profile/cover letter, you’ll probably need to meet with me once or twice. If you’re looking to tackle a more complex issue (e.g. if you’re dissatisfied with your current career but don’t know what alternatives would make sense, and/or if there is a significant emotional block like low self-confidence or debilitating anxiety) we’re probably looking at somewhere between four and eight sessions. After a preliminary conversation with you I’ll be able to give you a reasonable estimate.

For the foreseeable future I am only conducting sessions virtually (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, or phone). I have found virtual sessions to be just as effective as in-person, in addition to being more convenient for both my clients and me. I can schedule sessions just about any time between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays, and even on weekends if necessary.

My rate per 50 minute session ranges from $250 to $450. The rate varies according to the complexity of the issue(s) we will be working on, and your ability to pay.

If, after our initial meeting we determine that multiple sessions make sense, I will be happy to discuss a package with a reduced per-session fee.

If you are eligible for insurance reimbursement (i.e. if our work together involves a significant emotional or psychological component, and if you have out-of-network mental health benefits), I will be happy to provide you with the documentation necessary for reimbursement. Unfortunately I will not be able to determine whether you have coverage as there are hundreds of types of plans offered by insurance carriers; you will need to contact your carrier or HR department to determine whether your plan provides coverage for my services.

Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, check or cash.

The primary tasks in our first session will be:

Agree to a goal(s) for our work together.
Get to know each other so as to ensure that we’re a good “fit” (it’s very rare that the fit isn’t good).
Agree to next steps that will begin to move the ball forward. I believe that every session should include assignments that will result in progress towards our agreed-upon goals.

Despite conventional wisdom, most people do not have one passion buried inside of them that simply needs to be discovered. More generally, people are capable of developing passion for multiple careers.

Most certainly. There are proven techniques that can enhance job satisfaction to at least some degree. Whenever I work with clients who are dissatisfied with their job or their career I make sure to devote at least some time to teaching these techniques in addition to working on exploring alternatives and improving their ability to find better employment.

Here are some signs to pay attention to:

• Days are stressful – and only stressful (there are relatively few moments of true satisfaction).
• You’ve changed yourself to fit the position (the fit was good when you started but the position has evolved away from your strengths/likes perhaps because of outside factors like a takeover, a reorganization, or downsizing.)
• Your job is a dead end with no obvious positions to move up to.
• You chased the money but have realized that just the paycheck isn’t enough to fulfill you. Quitting time is the day’s highlight.
• There’s been a shift in organizational values (more emphasis on the bottom line? Less ethical?).
• You’re having performance struggles (your evaluations aren’t decent, feedback from superiors is negative).
• Work/life balance is progressively getting worse – Unless you can confidently predict that a deterioration in work/life balance is temporary, it is often a sign that your organization is investing in fewer resources than is necessary to get the job done well.
• You’re having difficulty getting along with your boss – It may happen that you find yourself with a new boss. If your day-to-day relationship with that boss becomes uncomfortable, or in the worst case scenario contentious, you should start considering moving on. Most people underestimate the influence that their bosses have on their career trajectories; it is generally enormous. So even if you are doing an outstanding job in the eyes of your co-workers, and even others in management, a bad relationship with your boss is frequently fatal.

I have had 4 successful careers – as advertising executive, psychotherapist, non-profit president and career counselor, so I know the challenges inherent in launching and thriving in different jobs. And having built fulfilling lives in 3 vastly different cities- NY LA and DC – gives me valuable additional perspective. Plus having coached many hundreds of clients in just about every conceivable field and through all kinds of challenges I have an unmatched breadth of career knowledge and insight.

Insight – my training as a therapist allows me to better understand my clients and helps me provide them with superior guidance. Tone of voice, facial expression, body language, the stories you use to illuminate your history and the way you express yourself – confidently, tentatively, modestly, with an edge – all help me understand you and allow me to tailor our conversations and the homework I usually give so that they achieve maximum impact.

Creativity- I thrived in advertising, a career in which creativity is the most important attribute. It’s one I cherish. Helping my clients think in new ways, see new patterns, and identify opportunities that are sometimes unorthodox are skills that have repeatedly borne fruit.

Intelligence – it’s uncool to boast but as a Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard graduate and Jeopardy winner I think my background speaks for itself.

Curiosity- I’m interested in a huge range of topics (that really helps on Jeopardy!). I’ve been to all 50 states and over 80 countries. I speak 5 languages. And what drew me to psychotherapy and career work was the chance to hear the stories and share the experiences and the world view of an astounding variety of people. I love learning about them and coming to understand them.

Achievement orientation ~ I’ve always been motivated by getting results., whether grades, honors, fluency, mastery, or concrete contributions to others. Providing specific, actionable guidance to Help my clients find greater satisfaction in their lives is more than a job – for me it’s a joyous endeavor.

“I will coach you on the techniques you need to do it beautifully.”