Coaching FAQ

Please take a moment to review the Frequently Asked Questions below to find out if your question has already been answered before contacting us with questions about coaching. Thank you.

Who are Dr. Carla’s ideal clients?

I have worked with young women and girls from diverse backgrounds and enjoy coaching clients who are committed to coaching with me and willing to take consistent action to take their lives to the next level and achieve their goals.

Can I work with Dr. Carla through HOTGIRLS?

Because of a demanding schedule, I am unable to personally provide direct services through HOTGIRLS, Inc.. This means that the only way for young women and girls to work directly with me is through my coaching practice, workshops, speaking engagements, and events.

What Training Does Dr. Carla Have?

Dr. Carla and Tami Walsh at the Teen Wisdom Inc.™ Coach Certification Training

I have substantially greater experience with young women and girls and the study of their development than typical life coaches. I have worked with youth for more than 16 years as a mentor, health educator, and advocate. I graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of Michigan in Health Behavior and Health Education (with a cognate in Social Work), with a specialization in developing, implementing, and evaluating effective strategies to promote healthy choices and behaviors among young women and girls.

I am also a certified graduate of the Teen Wisdom™ Inc. Life Coach Training Program, led by Tami Walsh, founder of the nation’s first life coaching practice for teen girls and parents. I also earned a certificate in Personal Development Coaching from the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute and completed BootCamp for Life Coaches, an intensive mentor coaching group for life and business coaches led by Valorie Burton, mentor coach and personal development author.  In addition, I am a Certified Facilitator of the Owning Up™ Curriculum developed by Rosalind Wiseman, New York Times bestselling author of Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence.

My  extensive training and experience working directly with young women and girls has given me a wealth of knowledge about young women’s and girls’ development, human behavior, and health education to draw from in my work as a life coach.

What is the difference between life coaching and therapy or counseling?

Although coaching and therapy share a person-centered approach and other similarities, there are distinctions. Generally speaking, in counseling and therapy, the therapist is regarded as the expert and the focus is on “fixing” problems by exploring the client’s feelings and past experiences. In contrast, in the life coaching relationship, the coach partners with his/her client(s) to focus on their present circumstances, actions, skills, attitudes, and strengths to help them move forward in their lives. Coaching is most appropriate for people who are otherwise currently mentally healthy.

Life coaching is not psychotherapy. If your past is keeping you stuck or complicating your life, counseling is a better option than coaching. If I suspect any potential mental health concerns in my clients (eating disorders, cutting/self-mutilation, serious personality disorders or depression/anxiety, etc.), I will inform the parent/guardian and provide appropriate referrals and/or resources.

What is the difference between coaching and mentoring?

There are similarities between coaching and mentoring. In general, mentors guide their mentees towards a defined path, whereas coaches guide their clients on their own path, which is unique and different from their own. As a coach, I help clients tap into their own inner wisdom to discover their own answers and solutions. In my work with girls, I am often viewed as a mentor or role model.

What is the difference between coaching and consulting?

In general, consultants are responsible for providing deliverables and specialized knowledge related to specific projects. In contrast, in the coaching relationship, the client is ultimately responsible for achieving their own results, with the guidance of his/her coach. When coaching girl advocates, I share my knowledge and professional experience when it is beneficial to my clients.

Dr. Carla's North Atlanta Office (waiting area for parents)

How and when do we meet for individual coaching sessions?

I offer private and small group coaching in person in my North Atlanta, Georgia office and by phone. Ongoing 45-minute private coaching sessions are held two or three times per month, and each client is given a reserved and consistent time slot.

How do I begin one-on-one coaching sessions with Dr. Carla?

I have a limited number of openings available for private clients. I begin individual coaching with an application and phone consultation/inquiry call to determine whether I can provide the best solution for you. A private client will not be accepted if I do not believe that my coaching services are the best fit for their needs.  Therefore prospective clients are required to participate in a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation/inquiry call prior to purchasing a coaching package to discuss whether coaching is an appropriate choice.

After reading the FAQs, here’s what you need to do to begin coaching with me:

• Private coaching: Contact us to request an application for private coaching and complimentary 15 minute phone consultation/inquiry call
• Small group coaching: Sign up for the Girls Destined for Greatness™ group coaching program for middle and high school girls at my North Atlanta office.  Before registering for a coaching group, please contact us to request a pre-coaching questionnaire to be completed and returned via e-mail or fax prior to receiving an invitation to sign up for the group (I reserve the right to deny enrollment in my coaching programs at my discretion if I do not believe that group coaching is the best option). Note: I do not require an intake session for girls participating in group coaching programs.

How do I schedule ongoing private coaching sessions with Dr. Carla?

After the inquiry phone call, if we have agreed that ongoing coaching would be beneficial, you can begin the scheduling process by purchasing a package of  sessions, which includes a mandatory initial intake session with the parent(s)/guardian(s) (approximately 90 minutes). After your payment is confirmed, you will receive a welcome kit via email with instructions regarding scheduling your ongoing sessions. Each client will meet with me for three, 45-minute sessions per month – generally on the same day and time each week unless alternate arrangements are made in advance (I coach young women and girls on Tuesdays – Thursdays as my schedule permits). Sessions must be scheduled at least one to two weeks prior to the start of each coaching package.

What are Dr. Carla’s coaching fees?

Coaching services and packages are offered with varying prices depending on session length and the number of sessions purchased. Private coaching is customized for each client and the sessions are private, so the cost is higher than group coaching. Dr. Carla’s fees are consistent with norms for similar services provided by helping professionals in private practice trained at the doctoral level. Please contact us to schedule an inquiry call and begin the intake process.

What payment options does Dr. Carla accept?

Clients pay for sessions based on the program and/or package they have chosen. Payment is expected in full via debit or credit card (health insurance, cash, checks, and other forms of payment are not accepted) using the online payment system on this web site prior to the first session of the group coaching program or individual coaching package.

My budget cannot afford Dr. Carla’s private coaching fees. What other options are available?

Since my time is limited and every young woman or family cannot afford to hire a private coach, I offer small group coaching sessions at a discounted rate.  I also offer complimentary webinars, teleseminars, and presentations at community events periodically. Please sign up for my e-mail list to receive updates.

I am ready to start coaching with Dr. Carla, but I have a few questions. Can I call you?

Sure. If you are ready to move forward and have a couple of questions, feel free to contact us.

To your unlimited growth and success,