Services
Like me, and many of my clients, you started out your career fueled by a passion to help others. You wanted to make this world a better place. Over time stress has worn that passion down.
I know what you’re talking about, because I’ve been there too. I’m a service-centered professional. I worked in the nonprofit sector for my entire career, before founding Keys to Change, LLC in 2012. I get what happens when you focus so hard on doing for others that you don’t take care of yourself. Because there’s so much to do and so little time. Because even considering self-care makes you feel guilty. You want to live up to others’ expectations and you truly want to make a difference for them.
If you’re feeling tired, uncertain, stuck or overwhelmed, take heart!
You are by no means alone; it’s a common experience in our world of never-ending urgency. You have the skills, strengths and motivation to get your life back on track. I’m here to help you as you do that.
I create a safe space where you can do your clearest and most creative thinking. As we work together, I provide structure, support and accountability, while you set the course. Our work is guided by your goals and what matters most to you.
I’m an innovative, creative sort; a great thought partner with an imaginative, yet clear-headed perspective. I offer customized coaching programs for the unique self you bring to the work. You’ll discover your own keys to change. Yes, coaching is work. It’s the fun kind of work, filled with insights and discoveries. And its work that you don’t have to do alone.
Results you can expect:
- Decreased stress
- Increased focus
- Clarity of purpose and vision
- A useful process for handling change and transition
- Useful strategies for decision-making
- Action steps you can start taking immediately
One on One Coaching
Whether you want one-on-one coaching on a question or issue you’ve identified or a specific process you want to use, to get unstuck, clarify your life purpose, get unbusy, or strengthen your well-being and resilience, I support you in getting you the results you’re looking for. My coaching is creative, innovative, time – tested, and customized to your individual circumstances and questions.
For Nonprofit Organizations
Service-centered professionals start their careers fired up! They’re ready to help others and to right the world’s wrongs. Yet, too often, the fire dwindles, sometimes to the point of burning out. What makes this happen? A combination of factors: The pressures of close, empathic work with those who have high levels of need; The frustration that is felt when the effort expended doesn’t seem to have an impact; The consistent prioritizing of others over self. For too many, it’s not a matter of if they will burn out, but when. We can do something about this! I offer consultation and professional development with a difference. My approach is collaborative, supportive and focused on supporting professionals’ wellness in order to improve program outcomes.
“I enrolled in Nancy’s Writing for Well-Being program to let go of painful feelings and memories following a difficult experience. During sequential writing prompts I came to realize I needed to honestly and fully see the true quality and shape of my sorrow–and just as important, to see the amount of space it was taking up in my life. I had to understand why I was angry in order to let go of the anger. I also saw that there are some things I simply cannot understand or know. I have to accept the “unknowing,” trusting the chaos of life and let go into it.
I gained all this and more when Nancy expertly guided me and a friend of mine in Expressive Writing and other writing techniques in the program. I can’t say enough about how Nancy creates such a safe and supportive space for writing and for processing the experience. It’s important to understand that the work she does is not therapy. It provided a chance to create a coherent story and make meaning of a very difficult experience that disrupted my life for some time.
Before taking Writing for Well Being, I was putting my life back together, but there were still some remnants of anger, guilt and blame. Since the Writing for Well-Being experience, I feel I’ve finally crossed a threshold to forgiveness. I feel calmer, more confident and much more at peace. I now trust that I can move my life forward in the direction I want it to go.”
SUSAN J. PRESTON
Creative Director and Owner of Clearly Presentable Design
“I enrolled in Nancy’s Writing for Well-Being program to let go of painful feelings and memories following a difficult experience. During sequential writing prompts I came to realize I needed to honestly and fully see the true quality and shape of my sorrow–and just as important, to see the amount of space it was taking up in my life. I had to understand why I was angry in order to let go of the anger. I also saw that there are some things I simply cannot understand or know. I have to accept the “unknowing,” trusting the chaos of life and let go into it.
I gained all this and more when Nancy expertly guided me and a friend of mine in Expressive Writing and other writing techniques in the program. I can’t say enough about how Nancy creates such a safe and supportive space for writing and for processing the experience. It’s important to understand that the work she does is not therapy. It provided a chance to create a coherent story and make meaning of a very difficult experience that disrupted my life for some time.
Before taking Writing for Well Being, I was putting my life back together, but there were still some remnants of anger, guilt and blame. Since the Writing for Well-Being experience, I feel I’ve finally crossed a threshold to forgiveness. I feel calmer, more confident and much more at peace. I now trust that I can move my life forward in the direction I want it to go.”
SUSAN J. PRESTON
Creative Director and Owner of Clearly Presentable Design
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your qualifications to be a coach?
My formal credentials include an M.Ed. in Counselor Education (University of Pittsburgh). I took my life coach training through the Institute for Life Coach Training. I have an NCC (National Certified Counselor) and a BCC (Board Certified Coach, certified as a Health and Wellness and Life Coach). I take ongoing professional education courses to maintain these certifications, which I both have to do and like to do. Credentials tell you about my commitment to learning, professionalism and ethical practice. They don’t tell the full story though. In over 30 years in human services and nonprofit work I’ve honed my natural abilities as an empathic, creative, innovative, clear-thinking and strengths-focused listener who stays focused on you — your interests, perspective and goals. The success of coaching rests on the quality of the relationship we create. I’m exceptionally skilled in creating effective working relationships. I consider this so important that if you or I find we aren’t connecting successfully I will gladly recommend other options for you.
Do I have to make a long term commitment to coaching?
How much does coaching cost?
How do I know if coaching is right for me?
Are you an over-giving, service-focused professional yearning to reconnect to what matters most in life: caring relationships, core purpose, and clear vision? Have you been stuck for a while and feel ready to move forward? Are you ready to to take care of yourself, so you can take care of everything else? Then coaching with Keys to Change may very well be right for you! Take my assessment to learn more.
Do you offer refunds?
If you prepay for coaching sessions and then decide not to use them, I will gladly refund the balance, in accordance with our coaching agreement. I do not offer refunds for completed coaching sessions or for cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice. I do not offer refunds for group coaching or workshops with less than 1 week’s notice, though in some cases can apply those fees toward future events.
Can I use my insurance to pay for coaching?
Coaching is not covered by insurance. Coaching is an investment in you and in the quality of your life. How much is it worth to you to discover a lasting increase in well-being, in your sense of hope, meaning and purpose? I would never advise anyone to spend beyond their means. Think of those things you do spend your discretionary dollars on. Do those purchases provide a lasting boost to happiness and well-being? Coaching can lead to shifts that result in lasting changes to health, well-being and overall life satisfaction. How much are ready to invest in taking care of yourself, so you can keep taking care of everything else? What prompted me to decide to look into coaching? How important is it to address that issue?
When you’re ready to invest in coaching, cost can be a practical issue to take into account. We all have budgets to manage. Here are some thoughts that can assist in finding room in your budget for taking care of yourself:
- Typically, coaching sessions are scheduled every 2-3 weeks. This allows time for between-session field work, and time to think about what you’re learning and experiencing.
- The length of time/number of session spent in coaching is flexible to meet individuals’ interests. In general clients get the results they are seeing in about 4-6 months. Certainly, many continue in coaching after that as they gain new insights or create new goals. Continuing sessions are scheduled at the interval that works for the clients’ time and finances and that best supports ongoing goals. Some clients shift to holding sessions every 3-4 weeks at this point. Others find the opportunity to continue working together twice a month is the most helpful.
- Options for managing costs include making payments, scheduling shorter sessions or working in a small group of 2-4 other clients.
Is coaching a lot of work?
Coaching does take time, and much of the change and growth happens in between coaching sessions. It’s up to you how much time to spend on exercises in between sessions. We’ll work it out so the time needed is manageable for you. While there will be some work involved, it’s kind of work where you make discoveries, figure things out and find the energy to reconnect with what matters most in life – caring relationships, core purpose and clear vision. Coaching with me means you’ve got a partner – I stand with you, guide you, encourage you and, if you need it, provide accountability. Plus I bring a good dose of humor along the way.
“I am the director of a non-profit outpatient mental health program that provides services to victims of child maltreatment. Ms. Seibel provided training to our team on reflective writing to build resiliency. She has excellent training skills and was able to teach a diverse group of professionals. Ms. Seibel was very engaging and knowledgeable. I highly recommend Ms. Seibel for consulting work related to reflective practice and caring for professional staff.”
APRIL RECTANUS
Care Clinic Director, University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Contact me to schedule a time to talk.
There is no charge for initial consults.