“We spend precious hours fearing the
inevitable. It would be wise to use that
time adoring our families, cherishing
our friends, and living our lives.”
                                                     — Maya Angelou

Welcome to the Fall issue of Westside Notes. As we begin to enter the holiday season, I’d like to take this opportunity to give thanks to those people in my life who choose to be in my corner year after year. It’s hard to believe that 2009 is almost drawing to a close, and I find myself full of gratitude for the tremendous gifts in my life.

Conferences in Review

Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health Annual Conference (San Diego)

In September I gave a presentation entitled THE JOY OF SEXual recovery where I shared tools and ideas from both coaching and positive psychology. It’s always fun to look through the lens of coaching (along with a dash of 12-step wisdom and Somatic Experiencing tools) because I get to focus on wellness and empowerment rather than pathology and deficits.

2009 Southern California Recovery Summit
(Los Angeles)

In October I was part of a panel discussion focusing on Recovery Coaching, and it was an energizing session as the audience was clearly hungry for new ways to approach an old problem. We had the opportunity to dialogue about coaching and how it supports those in recovery, and it felt in sync with my ongoing efforts to spread the word through Recovery Coaches International (www.recoverycoaching.org). Because coaching has been so instrumental in my personal and professional life, it’s easy to get the word out with enthusiasm.

Office Space Available on
“Both Sides of the Hill”

Part-time office space is still available in both my Overland Suite (West L.A.) and in my aunt’s Encino Suite (Ventura & Woodley). If you know any therapists, coaches, psychiatrists or other related professionals who may be looking for a terrific space for their practice, please forward this information and have them contact me directly at 310.281.8681.

Article of the Month
Recovery Coaching vs.
Therapy vs. Sponsorship

Through the years the most common question people ask me about coaching is “What are the differences between coaching and therapy?” Because I’ve focused quite a bit on coaching those in recovery, I put together a chart outlining the differences between Recovery Coaching, therapy and sponsorship. Click here.

Fall 2009

In This Issue:

• Conferences in Review
• Office Space Available
• Article of the Month
• Resource of the Month