I'm not even sure what to ask here...but what I'm interested in is becoming a marriage mentor/coach. Eventually I'd like to go back to school and become a marriage counselor, but for now, I'd just like to become more educated doing what I'm already doing on the GQII board. What certifications or classes or what-have-you did you get to do what you do? Do you have an actual degree, or do you just mentor?

I went to saveyourmarriage.com and looked at Jennifers accredidations and found that I could sign up for coaching classes and the Michele Weiner Davis training, even without any prior training. Is that something you recomend?

I love helping people and because of our past issues, and all the reading and research we did to get through it, I think I can offer a voice of experience.

What would you suggest as the next step to better helping others?

Thanks so much for your time and input!

<small>[ October 25, 2003, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: hope4future ]</small>

Coaching is not therapy, not even close. Although the goal is the same, the concepts and methodolgies are very very different. My personal belief is that coaching is far superior when it comes to helping couples.... but you have to know that I'm a bit biased. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I frequently tell my clients that when they come to me it's not a place where you get on the phone and talk about how you feel about your marriage. It's where you get on the phone and we shake your life up and then figure out what needs to change.... and then we DO IT. We build skills, we make plans, we make contracts and we make real consistent change. I make my clients accountable for themselves.

So having said all that... have you been to my site and read the information on the coaching page and the linked info about me and how I work? I also have a FAQ's about coaching that you might find interesting.

I am working on putting together a mentor training program and will add a coaches' training to that in the future. If you want me to keep you updated on all of that send me an email and I'll do that. help@saveyourmarriagecentral.com

C

I looked over the entire site the other day. I even checked out all the accredidation sites that were listed (Coachville, Spencer Institute for Coaching, Divorce Busting training etc..)

The more I read about coaching, the more I liked the concept. I've spent the last couple of years reading up on Leadership training, listening, motivating etc... And that's what coaching sounds like! That's more of what I was looking for than deep therapy. Solution based...short term...coaching!

I'll send an email so you can add me to your list. Thanks!!

PS...I said Jennifer, up above, but meant Penny. I researched off of Pennys accredidations....is that you? You said your site...so I take it that's you?

<small>[ October 26, 2003, 08:19 PM: Message edited by: hope4future ]</small>

That would indeed be me.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> But don't tell anyone ok... it's my secret identity. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

C

LOL...some secret <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

That would indeed be me.... But don't tell anyone ok... it's my secret identity.

All she needs now is a cape and shirt with a giant "C" on the fron <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

MTD

All she needs now is a cape and shirt with a giant "C" on the fron <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

MTD

And what makes you think I don't already have that????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

C

Hmmm...that seems sort of funny since your REAL and still-best-kept-secret name doesn't start with a C! however...mine does....could I borrow it?? hee hee <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

You know the really hilarious thing is that since I chose this name, the coincidences of "C's" in my life has been staggering. Truly the Universe has a sense of humor.

C <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I'l love to see the business plan for this one.

Finally, you are going after something even I am excited about. You'll do well, keep after it.

SS

Hey, that business plan I did was truly cool. I may never earn a degree...but I've got a 35 page business plan that ROCKS! I learned a lot with the process...my heart just isn't in the job any more.

But counseling has been in my blood for years. When I went to college right after high school my major was psychology. This is a FEW years later (allright, like 14) and it's still facinating to me. I tell my friends about what I do on the MB board and they all tell me I'm good at it. I'd like to think I help!

So no...I'm not doing a full fledged business plan on this one...I'm going to take it on a wing and a prayer (and I might need to borrow Cerri's cape!) But thanks for the vote of confidence SS!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

It's easy to give confidence votes to you.

I tell my friends about what I do on the MB board and they all tell me I'm good at it. I'd like to think I help!

You are good at it, and you do help. When I saw this thread, I broke out into a very big grin, and said: "It's about time."

Perhaps your greatest talent may giving love and help to others. You have a great capacity to see. I hope you make this work, but you can see how cerri's life is affected, so make sure you talk to hubby about it for a long time, and get joint agreement from him. Spend some time explaining to him how it will affect your lives, because it will in ways you only THINK you understand right now.
You can ask cerri about that, but she may not be able to translate it into your lifestyle, she has been living like this for - I think most of her life, and she seems to thrive on it.

Come to think about it, you probably will too, but son, and hubby may not.

Do you already have this all figured out, and I am just up in the night?

Yes, it fits you very well, but keep putting your family first. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

SS

<small>[ October 28, 2003, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: still seeking ]</small>

The thing is, SS, I spend most of my free time doing this already. And I can't NOT do it, because it's so important to me...it's just such a part of who I am and want to be. My job takes up the other big part of my life, and it's also the biggest stress. So the job goes. I'm working my way out of it as we speak. I'm hoping that by this time next year I can either sell my business or just simply have a Grand Closing <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> In between there I would love to get some further training...which I'm already looking in to.

But the BIG monkeywrench in any of my future plans...is the fact that we still want to adopt another child. Hopefully next year we'll start the process. And that comes first. But it's still nice to have some future direction in my life...and I think that's falling in to place quite nicely! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

H4F:

What a cool idea!

And, hey, if you feel you need a degree 2 solve the world's problems, or put on your plackard, don't despair. I didn't START my PhD until I was 32.

-2long

Oops, it was even worse. Started the year after my son was born, so I was 35.

...'least my PhD wasn't in MATH! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

♠2long

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by 2long:
<strong> Oops, it was even worse. Started the year after my son was born, so I was 35.

...'least my PhD wasn't in MATH! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

♠2long </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Don't feel too bad.... my brother has his doctorate in math and he couldn't balance a checkbook to save his life. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

LOL!! That's really encouraging me to go put forth years and years and years and years (counting out 2longs age on fingers..and toes...and other peoples fingers and toes)...only to end up not being able to count or balance my checkbook. Yup...reeeeaaalllll encouraging.

Hey don't worry. I've got a degree in accounting and finance, I'm a qualified accountant and I negotiate multi-million deals for a living. I can balance my cheque book but I struggle with the nine times table. I use a PC and pocket calculator. My motto is: when you charge by the hour don't get the answer too quickly.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by lovesaved:
<strong> Hey don't worry. I've got a degree in accounting and finance, I'm a qualified accountant and I negotiate multi-million deals for a living. I can balance my cheque book but I struggle with the nine times table. I use a PC and pocket calculator. My motto is: when you charge by the hour don't get the answer too quickly. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Oh c'mon... there is a verrrry easy trick to the nines table... it makes it the easiest of the tables to memorize. Of course, you know, Math used to be every bit an occult science, so it would follow that the Witch would know that. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

C

Speaking of Witch..I just found out our last name means Witch in spanish. LOL!! Hey, I married IN to the name...the attitude came naturually <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />