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.

What are some common things parents seek coaching for?

I coach young women and girls in the following areas:

School stress and time management
How to thrive during the transition to a new school and/or grade level (middle school, high school, college or graduate school)
Dealing with pressure from peers, family, teachers, and even yourself
Enhancing relationships with parents and siblings
Self-love, self-care, and self-empowerment
Healthy self-esteem and self-worth
Building resilience to unhealthy messages about women and girls
Respect for self and others
Healthy body image and self-acceptance
Healthy dating (break-ups, choices, sex, respect, etc.)
Media messages
Friendship challenges and “fitting in”
Dealing with bullies, “haters,” and drama at school
Healthy life skills and time management
Self-awareness and inner wisdom to help your daughter make choices that honor her beliefs and values and discover her true identity
Effective communication skills
Financial goals
Beating the blues
Leadership development
Identifying her dreams and passions
Goal-setting
Celebrating her accomplishments
…and more!

Who are Dr. Carla’s ideal clients?

My mission as a life and success coach is to help women and girls realize their true worth, fall madly in love with themselves from the inside out, and make empowered choices so they can reach their full potential. I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds and connect best with those who are motivated to improving their lives, committed to coaching with me, and willing to take consistent action to become the best version of themselves. Clients who experience optimal results are serious about coaching, open to constructive feedback, have a positive attitude, and are intentional about focusing their energy on transforming their lives for the better.

Because I value my clients and want to ensure that I can meet their needs and help them reach their goals, I am selective in choosing who I will work with in my private practice. If your concerns, needs, and objectives are out of alignment with my coaching practice, I may suggest other resources that can better serve you.

What training and credentials does Dr. Carla have?

Although coaching is unregulated and many life coaches offer services without training or credentials, you can rest assured that I am well qualified. I hold multiple certifications in group facilitation, coaching, and positive psychology and have been a certified life coaching specializing in teen girls since 2009. In addition, I am a sought-after business mentor and coach for teen life coaches from around the world and have provided professional development training for educators, youth workers, speakers, coaches, mental health professionals, and other caring adults for more than 20 years.

Professional Background:

For 15 years, I served as the Founder and CEO of Helping Our Teen Girls In Real Life Situations, Inc. (HOTGIRLS)®, an award-winning 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering young women and girls. I have also gained three decades of professional experience working with girls and advocating for them through mentoring, youth development, and health education positions. As a result, I have substantially greater experience working in the trenches with women and girls, studying their behavior, and developing programs to address their challenges than typical life coaches.

Academic Training:

Unlike most life coaches, I am trained as a women’s and girls’ health researcher and health education practitioner. I graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned Doctor of Philosophy (with distinction) and Master of Public Health degrees in Health Behavior and Health Education (with a cognate in Social Work) from the University of Michigan, with a specialization in developing, implementing, and evaluating effective strategies to promote healthy behaviors among women, youth and girls.

My scholarly research on the intersections between adolescent girls’ sexuality, identity and body image with youth culture, hip hop, popular culture, and social media has appeared in scholarly publications including the international peer-reviewed journal, Culture, Health & Sexuality and the book, Girl Wide Web 2.0: Revisiting Girls, the Internet, and the Negotiation of Identity, edited by Sharon Mazzarella. After completing my Ph.D., I completed a two-year post-doctoral research program at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where I investigated women’s and girls’ health issues.

My work as a life coach builds on my academic training, so my coaching methods and recommendations are based on scientific research and an extensive knowledge of the health and behavior of women and girls. I am skilled at translating relevant theories into practical and realistic strategies and programs that motivate women and girls to create positive change and improve the quality of their lives.

Click here to read more about my background and training.

Is Coaching Right For You?

Coaching is a different approach than therapy and coaching is not appropriate for everyone. If your daughter has a current or past history of counseling/therapy OR if any of the items listed below apply, coaching may not be the best option for your daughter (coaching is for people who are well-adjusted, emotionally healthy, and effectively functioning). If you have concerns, please provide more information by submitting an application.

Difficulty getting along with peers in a group setting
Autism spectrum disorder or social skills challenges
Violent behavior and/or aggression towards others
Negative/hostile attitude, extreme anger and defiance, argumentative and uncooperative, purposely antagonistic, vindictive and revengeful behavior, temper tantrums during adolescence, etc.
Trouble with the law, history of arrests, probation, placement in a juvenile detention center, crimes against minor children, unruly child petition, etc.
Depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts
Difficulty opening up to adults
Open defiance toward teachers, coaches, or authority figures
Refusal to comply with or frequently challenges teachers’ or adults’ requests or rules
Serious thoughts of self-harm or harming others
Diagnosed personality or behavior/conduct disorders (i.e., bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, etc.)
Self-injurious behaviors (cutting, etc.)
Eating disorders (i.e., anorexia, bulimia, etc.)
Setting fires
Harming or killing animals
Hospitalization in a mental health facility
Substance abuse or participation in a rehabilitation program

If you or your daughter is experiencing an emergency or self-injurious thoughts or behaviors (cutting, overdosing, suicide, etc.), consult a licensed mental health provider and/or call 911 immediately!

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 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 as a coach, 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 allies, I share my knowledge and professional experience when it is beneficial to my clients.

How and when do we meet for individual coaching sessions?

I have limited availability for private coaching and offer this service to a select group of clients by phone, Zoom, and Skype. Ongoing virtual private coaching sessions are typically held biweekly and each client is given a reserved and consistent time slot. Group coaching and workshops are typically provided in person in Atlanta, Georgia or other local venues.

How do I begin private coaching sessions with Dr. Carla?

I begin private coaching with an application and complimentary 15-20 minute phone consultation with adult clients and parents of girls to determine whether coaching is the best solution for you. After the consultation, there is no obligation to purchase any products or enroll in my coaching programs. If you are under 18, please ask a parent to visit my web site and contact me directly. During the consultation, we can discuss your questions or concerns so we can determine if coaching with me is the best fit for you and your family at this time.

After reading the FAQs, here’s what you need to do to enroll your daughter in private or group coaching:

Private coaching: I have a limited number of openings available for new private clients. Submit an application today!
Group coaching for teen girls: Before registering for a group coaching program for pre-teen and teen girls, please sign up for the waiting list (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 complimentary phone consultation, if we have agreed that ongoing coaching would be beneficial, you can begin the scheduling process by purchasing a package of sessions. After your payment is confirmed, you will receive a welcome packet via email with instructions regarding scheduling your ongoing sessions.

My clients typically begin with a 3-month introductory coaching program. Sessions must be scheduled at least one week prior to the start of each coaching package and are conducted on Tuesdays – Thursdays.

What is the investment to coach with Dr. Carla?

The investment for coaching varies depending on the frequency, length, and number of sessions purchased. My private clients receive customized coaching and have priority/one-on-one direct access to me on a regular basis, so the investment is considerably higher than group or online coaching. I am happy to discuss the investment in my programs with you during your initial consultation if we decide that coaching is a good fit for you.

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 at least 72 hours prior to the first session of the group coaching program or private coaching package.

What options are available for clients on a limited budget?

I provide coaching through speaking events, workshops, seminars, webinars, and presentations at local and national events at a wide variety of venues.

Please sign up for the Teen Girl University waiting list and my email newsletter for parents/guardians to receive updates, special offers, and the latest information.