Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Niernberg.
Beth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been one of those people. People talk to me. On the train. In Starbucks. In my office. At SoulCycle. With so many people chatting me up, I developed a coping mechanism: I love to listen. Just sitting and listening to someone’s narrative; it energizes me in a way I can’t really explain.
As a therapist, friend, co worker, family member, I am often called upon to help someone get unstuck, make a plan, change a behavior, set a goal. I spend time, do research, listen and make connections. I get the opportunity to use my experience both personal and professional, to help people get “unstuck”. After many years of making myself available to ‘friends & family’, I created a coaching practice to help people — beyond the soul-sucking needniks of my inner circle.
What I know is that people can find themselves at a crossroads, not sure what’s next… feeling dissatisfied with where they are but unsure of what or how to change. We all have these pivotal times in our lives where change is coming, like it or not. And it does not wait for us to tie our shoes. Change happens, ready or not! So, why not be ready? Choose ready! Transitions are always unsettling, but they can give you an opportunity to see new possibilities.
It’s difficult to see possibilities when your routine clouds your vision when the needs of others always come first when you can no longer hear your own voice because it is drowned out by the running negative dialogue in your head. We may come to believe that others cannot tolerate our truth so we just don’t express it anymore. That can lead to any number of detrimental outcomes. So, what are the symptoms of being stuck? You may find yourself drinking more than you’d like… shopping compulsively (does the UPS guy know your name?)… Using food to medicate your discomfort… finding it difficult being in your body… Or repeating the same relationship over and over again… if you checked any of those boxes then yes, you may be stuck.
I realized that most of us could use a partner when pondering changes in our lives, a co-author of sorts. Pulling from my professional experience as a therapist, my natural inclination to be a truth teller, and a knack for seeing possibilities you might overlook… I created my coaching practice to provide support for people making changes, desiring new things in their lives or folks who are just clear that this is not how their story should be unfolding. It can be hard for them to hold on to hope at times like these. I can be the custodian of their hope while we work to find a path to opportunity and new possibilities. Which is why I call myself the Possibilities Coach.
To be clear: this is not therapy. That’s a longer-term proposition and usually requires mucking out the stables of childhood, etc. As a therapist, my role is more passive, neutral. No, this is coaching: a short-term, goal-oriented kick in the ass!
In my coaching practice, I am an advocate and an activist — helping you identify where you want to go and giving you the tools to get there. This is not about digging deep into your most painful experiences. This isn’t a root canal. This is about you. It’s positive. It’s empowering. It’s a celebration of the possibilities that await you.
When you hire me as your possibilities coach, we both commit to a 3-month program involving sessions in my office (or yours). We discuss your goals and develop an action plan. You’ll work on it for two weeks, and then we’ll have our next session to assess and move on. At the end of three months, you’ll have a much clearer sense of where you’re going and some new tools for getting there. Within that general framework of a process, there is plenty of opportunities for us to customize the program to remove obstacles. If your job has you in and out of airports, we can do some ‘virtual’ sessions via Skype. If you have young kids at home, I’ll bring the duct tape. It’s all good!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been a human services professional for many years, working for agencies that provide support to the underserved in the Commonwealth. I chose my career path (or it chose me) and I just took it one step at a time. I gained experience along the way, honed my craft, and slowly built a private practice. It took more than a few years to get to the place where I could even consider giving up my “paycheck” job for the insecurity of private practice. I waited till the time was right for me and for my family. I have now been in private practice full time for years. I do extra things as well, like teaching and training. And I’ve added Possibilities Coach to my repertoire.
Most of my clients find their way to me by word of mouth. Many of the best connections I have ever made, personally and professionally, have come from good conversations with people in places outside my office. You have to find your voice and learn how to talk about what you do and what lights a fire in you. People are attracted to that kind of light. They will want to know more. You share, they share, and suddenly, you’ve got new possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 896 Beacon st suite 307 Boston, MA 02215
- Website: www.bethniernberg.com www.possibilities.coach
- Phone: 617-821-3991
- Email: bethnier@me.com
Image Credit:
Head shot www.kckphotography.com
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