Frequently Asked Questions
Is coaching the same as therapy?
No. Coaching is education and skill-building for your inner life; it is not therapy, diagnosis, or clinical treatment. I am a certified coach, not a licensed therapist. Many people work with me alongside a therapist or doctor, and we happily work in support of that care rather than in place of it.
Does Z work with people who take medication or see a therapist?
Yes. This work complements clinical care — it doesn't replace it. You are never advised to change or stop treatment; that's a decision for you and your doctor. This work is the practical inner skills that is meant to support you for the entirety of your life.
Does Z only work with men?
My work is built primarily for men who struggle to feel and express their emotions, because that's who I am most drawn to and feel called to serve. That said, the skills are universal, and I have worked with people of every background and gender who recognize themselves in need guidance.
What actually happens in a session?
It's practical and experiential, working with me feels like talking to a wise friend who wants what is best for you without beating around the bush. You will be asked difficult questions and you will be asked to face your inner struggles, however, this is always from a place of care and respect. You will work on real, present-moment skills — noticing what you're feeling, settling a racing mind, staying with an emotion instead of shutting down, and getting too the root cause of your patterns.
What is "inner care"?
Inner care is the practice of tending to your own thoughts, feelings, and attention — the inner skills you were never formally taught. It's the foundation of my coaching and the subject of my book.
What is emotional regulation, and why do analytical men tend to struggle with it?
Emotional regulation is the ability to notice what you're feeling, let it move through you, and choose your response instead of being run by it — or going numb to avoid it entirely. Analytical men and actually men in general often struggle with it for a specific reason: they were rewarded their whole lives for staying in their heads and treating emotions as problems to solve or suppress. Indeed being 'emotional' is seen as a weakness for many men and so they struggle to open up and express their true feelings. This works until it doesn't — until the numbness spreads, the rage explodes, or the anxiety won't switch off. To be a truly regulated man, emotions are felt and expressed while still remaining centered, in control.