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Coaching at SYMC - Frequently Asked Questions

How is coaching done?

Industry wide coaching is conducted via phone and email. I work with individuals or couples in 50 minute session over the phone. Because I consider coaching to be a holistic approach to healing a marriage I offer coaching packages with differing levels of support depending on where the individual or couple is in their marital healing process. In addition to the 50 minute sessions I also schedule 15 minute check in sessions just to touch base with questions or small problems.

What happens at the first session?

During the first coaching consultation I gather the background information on the marriage, discuss the most significant issues and conflicts, explain techniques and concepts and suggests changes that will make a difference immediately. There will be time for questions and follow up discussion. At the end timing and scheduling for the next session will be discussed.

What happens after that?

Ongoing sessions provide structure, feedback, perspective and encouragement to assist the client to continue to make positive changes in the marriage. Things that are working are expanded upon, things that are not are readdressed and changed. Deep seated issues and conflicts are addressed one step at a time as the client’s awareness and readiness unfolds – much like the unfolding of the petals of a flower.

Why does coaching work?

Coaching works by combining the changing awareness of the client into action which is supported and driven by a purposeful change in the surrounding environment. The expertise and skill set of the coach is the key element that ties it all together.

How long does the Coaching process usually last?

Because the situations within each marriage are unique, it is impossible to predict how long an individual or couple will work with me to achieve their goals. A six month commitment to exploring and creating new skills would be a fair expectation with which to begin. For couples recovering from infidelity or abuse, the time may be longer, depending on where they are in the process. I usually asks clients to schedule once a week for the first three sessions. Following that, the standard package of coaching services consists of two sessions each month with one additional 15 minute check in call for brief questions or concerns.

How do I hire Penny?

Simply call the SYMC office at 877.416.2657 If you get voice mail leave a message and I will return your call myself. Usually you can have about five minutes to pick my brain a little on your situation.

How much does coaching cost?

Fees are available here

Is coaching covered by insurance?

Currently, coaching is not covered by insurance. Coaching is not healthcare but rather an advanced form of teaching. Some companies are offering life coaching as part of the employee benefit packages. It is our hope that as the benefits of coaching become widely know more companies will do the same. Companies on the leading edge understand the relationship between employees’ overall satisfaction and contentment in their personal lives and productivity on the job. Anyone who has suffered trauma or crises in marriage knows all too well how deeply it affects all areas of their lives particularly at work.

You mention coaching as a holistic process, what other services does SYMC offer?

In addition to the coaching practice, SYMC has a large network of volunteers around the world. Some of the projectour and work include:

Email Intermediary™ Services and Providers
This is SYMC’s proprietary service which provides volunteer email intermediaries to coaching clients who are separated and in Protection Phase due to infidelity, other addiction, anger and abuse, or long term extreme neglect. Through use of the EI™ services clients can give an receive information about children and finances and still maintain no contact with the hurtful spouse. This allows Protection Phase to be truly protective of the marriage as a whole and the spouses individually. This service is included in the coaching fees for infidelity clients. It is additional for all other clients.

Mentors
The SYMC School of Coaching students act as mentors for coaching clients as part of their training. Mentors support the strategies and goals created in the coaching sessions. They offer additional encouragement and aid to the coaching client between coaching sessions. There is an additional fee for mentor services.

Online help
The SYMC Global Village, Inc. hosts an online discussion forum known as the Village GatheringThis forum is unique in that it is moderated by the "Mod Squad" trained volunteers who can help you with understanding and applying the SYMC concepts in your marriage. I post there on occasion and personally monitor board activity. Additionally, the School of Coaching students are frequent posters on the board as are the Board of Advisors. There is a zero tolerance policy on disrespect (enforced with courtesy and compassion) making this the safest place on the web to discuss your marriage and to receive well informed advice.

The Village Gathering is the only online discussion forum for marriage that offers private boards for those who are trying to end or who recently ended an affair. Because we understand that affairs hurt everyone involved and that keeping families together requires support for the straying spouse as well as the betrayed spouse we are dedicated to offering a safe environment for these individuals to work their way back to their marriage. This board is moderated personally by me and only I grant permission rights to this board.

The Village Gathering is also the only online discussion forum for marriage with a private board for survivors of sexual abuse and their partners. Sexual abuse or forced sexual contact creates a unique challenge in marriage and it requires a level of sensitivity and caring to heal and move into a future that is safe and fulfilling.

You mention mentors – how is mentoring different than coaching?
Mentors support the strategy designed in the coaching sessions. They give added encouragement, help the client see where they might be encountering the same problem repeatedly, and answer questions about specific issues between sessions. Mentors do not work with the client to design the goals and strategies for healing the marriage but act as support once those have been established with the coach.

How do I get a mentor?
Talk to me about it during a session and we'll discuss the need in your particular situation. Once it is decided to add a mentor to the team I can assign one to you, based on availability.

Is there a fee for having a mentor?
There is. It depends on the level of additional support desired and we'll discuss that when deciding to add a mentor to the team.

Can I have a mentor if I am not a coaching client?
You cannot. Mentors support the coaching process and are not a stand alone service.

What kind of training to the Email Intermediary™ providers have?
Our EI™ providers have seven hours of classroom training covering the basics of marriage and infidelity, SYMC’s basic concepts for addressing infidelity (other addictions, anger, abuse, and severe neglect), and the EI.™ process itself. In addition there are homework exercises for each of the classroom sessions. Once the EI™ trainee has passed the classroom portion they are supervised by an EI™ trainer for a period of at least 12 weeks.

I am providing personal details about my life and that of my children to the EI™ provider – is there any assurance this information will not be used to harm my family?
Every effort is made to ensure that our EI™ providers are of the highest ethical standing. EI™ providers are handpicked by me and the top SYMC staff. They must be approved by the Board of Advisors as candidates for the EI™ training and they must complete an extensive application that probes their attitudes toward marriage, infidelity and divorce. All SYMC staff and personnel agree to and sign a rigorous Code of Conduct prior to joining the team.

EI™ applicants are all screened using a background security investigation. EI™ clients can be assured that only those who pass the background investigation will be allowed to complete the training and work as EI™ providers. Additionally, the client is provided with the EI’s full name, email address, personal phone number and general geographic location. Our policy is to pair EI’s and clients who are separated by significant distance.

I am separated and in no contact with my spouse can I have an EI™ provider without getting coaching?
No you cannot. EI™ services are not a stand alone service. Providing the service itself requires significant investment by SYMC Global Village in terms of training and administering our providers. It requires a significant investment in time by the providers themselves, who are volunteers. Our experience has found that offering EI™ services to those who are not current and active coaching clients is chaotic and disruptive for both the client and the EI™ provider.

Is there an additional charge for EI™ services?
EI™ services are including in the coaching package fee for all infidelity clients. There is an additional charge for clients experiencing other addictions, anger, abuse, or long term severe neglect, and are choosing to be in Protection Phase and needing EI™ services.
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