Frequently Asked Questions
What is Empowered Within?
Empowered Within is a holistic mentoring practice designed specifically for women in their 20s through 50s navigating career and life transitions. I use a comprehensive mind, body, and spirit approach to help you find clarity, rebuild confidence, and create meaningful change during pivotal moments in your life—whether you're emerging into adulthood, changing careers, returning to work, going through a personal transition, or seeking deeper fulfillment.
Who is this for?
I work with women in their 20s through 50s who are navigating life's pivots—as well as parents of late teens and young adults who are guiding their children through the transition to adulthood. Whether you're stepping into adulthood yourself, facing a career transition, navigating relationship changes, seeking spiritual alignment, or supporting your emerging adult child through their own pivot—if you're ready to invest in yourself and do the inner work needed for lasting change, this is for you.
What is coaching, and how is it different from therapy?
Mentoring and guidance are forward-focused partnerships designed to help you navigate transitions and reconnect with your power. While therapy often addresses past trauma and mental health conditions, my work focuses on where you are now and where you want to go. I help you create strategies, overcome obstacles, and take action toward your goals. If deeper emotional healing or mental health support is needed, I'm happy to refer you to qualified therapists and can work alongside your therapeutic process when appropriate.
Can I be in therapy and coaching at the same time?
Yes, absolutely! Many of my clients work with both a therapist, a coach and a mentor simultaneously, and they can complement each other beautifully. Therapy often focuses on healing past wounds, processing trauma, and addressing mental health concerns, while this work focuses on moving forward, setting goals, and taking action in the present. If you're currently in therapy, I'm happy to coordinate with your therapist (with your permission) to ensure we're supporting you in aligned ways. In fact, if you're doing deeper therapeutic work, mentoring can be a wonderful addition to help you apply insights and create momentum in your life.
Is coaching the same as consulting or mentoring?
No. While consultants provide expert advice and tell you what to do, coaching and mentoring empowers you to discover your own answers and solutions. I won't give you a prescribed roadmap—instead, I'll ask powerful questions, provide tools and frameworks, and hold space for you to tap into your own wisdom and clarity. Mentoring typically involves someone sharing their specific career path and advice, whereas coaching is customized entirely to your unique situation and goals.
Will you tell me what I should do?
No, and that's intentional. My role isn't to direct your life or tell you which path to take—it's to help you through transitions by blending powerful questions with lived wisdom, spiritual guidance and practical tools to help you uncover what's already within you. I'll ask thought-provoking questions, share what I'm sensing, offer frameworks and tools, and create space for you to access your own inner wisdom. The goal is your clarity and empowerment, not my neutrality. Remember, you are the expert on your own life. Through our work together, the answers you discover yourself are far more powerful and sustainable.
Is this a safe, non-judgmental space?
Absolutely. I'm committed to creating a safe space where you can show up authentically, explore difficult emotions, and share your truth without fear of judgment. There's no "right" way to navigate your transition, and wherever you are on your journey is exactly where you need to be. My role is to support you with curiosity, compassion, and respect—never to judge your choices, timeline, or process.
What does "mind, body, and spirit" mean in your coaching approach?
My holistic approach recognizes that you're not just a mind trying to solve a problem—you're a whole person. The mind aspect focuses on gaining clarity, shifting limiting beliefs, and developing practical strategies. The body component addresses how stress and transition show up physically, incorporating self-care practices and wellness tools that support you during change. The spirit dimension honors your inner life—your values, purpose, sense of meaning, and connection to something greater than yourself, however you define that.
Will you try to change my faith or spiritual beliefs?
Absolutely not. The "spirit" component of my coaching is about helping you connect more deeply with what already matters to you—not imposing or altering your beliefs. Whether you're Christian, practice another faith, are spiritual but not religious, or don't identify with spirituality at all, I meet you exactly where you are. I offer both faith-integrated coaching for those who want to weave their Christian beliefs into the process, and universal coaching that honors your values and sense of purpose without religious framework. You choose the approach that feels right for you, and your beliefs are always respected.
What makes your approach different?
I believe lasting transformation happens when we address the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Unlike traditional approaches that focus only on goals and action steps, my work integrates practical strategy with emotional wellness, spiritual alignment, body wisdom, and self-care practices. I also bring lived experience—I've walked through major transitions, job loss, identity shifts, and spiritual awakening. I'm not guiding you through something I read about in a textbook; I'm walking alongside you through territory I know well.
How long are the programs?
We'll begin with a discovery call to ensure we're a good fit. From there, we'll work together through structured programs ranging from 1 session, 3 sessions, 6 sessions, or 12 sessions depending on your needs. Sessions include one-on-one video calls, personalized exercises, tools and resources, and ongoing support between sessions via email or messaging as needed. For emerging into adulthood sessions that include the parent and child, we’ll work together to find the structure that works for the both of you.
I offer flexible program options to meet different needs and budgets to support your goals and timeline.
What can I expect to gain from this work?
Clients typically experience greater clarity about their direction, increased confidence in their decisions, practical strategies for moving forward, tools for managing stress and uncertainty, and a deeper connection to their values and purpose. You'll also develop sustainable practices for self-care and wellness that extend beyond our time together. Most importantly, you'll reconnect with the power that's been within you all along.
How will I know if coaching is working?
Progress in coaching isn't always linear, and it can look different for everyone. You might notice shifts like feeling clearer about your direction, making decisions with more confidence, experiencing less anxiety about your situation, taking actions you've been avoiding, or feeling more aligned with your values. Some changes are dramatic breakthroughs; others are subtle shifts in perspective that compound over time. We'll check in regularly about what's working and what needs adjustment. Trust that if you're showing up, doing the work, and feeling something is shifting—even uncomfortably—you're moving in the right direction.
What preparation or commitment is required from me?
Coaching works best when you're an active participant in the process. You can expect to complete reflective exercises, action steps, or self-care practices between sessions—usually 30-60 minutes per week, depending on your program. You'll also need to show up with honesty and openness, even when it's uncomfortable. This isn't about being perfect; it's about being willing to look inward, challenge your assumptions, and try new approaches. If you're ready to invest time and emotional energy into your growth, you'll get the most from our work together.
What happens between sessions?
You can expect to complete reflective exercises, action steps, or self-care practices between sessions—usually 30-60 minutes per week, depending on your program. You'll also need to show up with honesty and openness, even when it's uncomfortable. This isn't about being perfect; it's about being willing to look inward, challenge your assumptions, and try new approaches. If you're ready to invest time and emotional energy into your growth, you'll get the most from our work together.
Is our coaching confidential?
Yes, absolutely. Everything you share in our sessions remains confidential. Your stories, struggles, and breakthroughs are safe with me. The only exceptions to confidentiality are situations required by law—if you express intent to harm yourself or others, or if there's suspected abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. These are extremely rare circumstances, but it's important you're aware of them. Outside of these legal obligations, what we discuss stays between us.
What technology or tools do I need?
You'll need a reliable internet connection, a device with video capability (computer, tablet, or smartphone), and a private, quiet space where you can talk openly during our sessions. We'll use a video conferencing platform like Zoom or Google Meet for our calls. Between sessions, you may receive emails with resources and exercises, so access to email is important. If you have any technology concerns or limitations, let me know during our discovery call and we'll work together to find solutions.
What's the investment?
Program pricing varies based on length and level of support. I believe in transparency and will discuss investment details during your complimentary discovery call so you can make an informed decision. I occasionally offer early bird rates for new program launches and may have limited sliding scale spots available.
When and how is payment handled?
Generally, payment is due before we begin working together, though payment plans may be available for longer programs. I believe in clarity around investment, so you'll know exactly what you're committing to financially before we start. I want you to feel confident and comfortable with your decision, never pressured or surprised about costs.
What's your cancellation and rescheduling policy?
Life happens, and I understand that. I ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. With advance notice, we can find another time that works for both of us at no charge. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be forfeited, depending on the circumstances. This policy helps me serve all my clients effectively and protects the time we've both committed to your growth. We'll discuss the full policy details during your discovery call and before you enroll.
What if we start working together and it's not a good fit?
Chemistry matters in coaching, and sometimes even after a discovery call, we realize the fit isn't quite right once we begin working together. If either of us feels this way, I'm committed to having an honest, compassionate conversation about it. Depending on when this happens and the circumstances, we'll discuss options that might include adjusting our approach, pausing our work, or helping you transition to another coach or resource that's a better match. My priority is your growth and wellbeing, not keeping you in a coaching relationship that isn't serving you.
What are your qualifications?
I'm an ICF Associate Certified Coach holding an ACC Coaching Certification from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and a PCC Certification from Goal Imagery. I earned my Master's degree in Management and Bachelor's degree in Psychology, and bring over a decade of HR and DEI experience, including benefits administration and program management at large organizations. My personal and professional journey through transitions has equipped me with both the expertise and empathy to guide you through yours.
Do you offer a discovery call?
Yes! Simply reach out through the contact form or email me directly at alicia@empoweredwithincoaching.com to schedule your complimentary discovery call. I'll respond within 24-48 hours to find a time that works for both of us.
How do I get started?
Simply reach out through the contact form or email me directly to schedule your complimentary discovery call. I'll respond within 24-48 hours to find a time that works for both of us.
Do you work with clients virtually or in-person?
All coaching sessions are conducted virtually via video call, which means I can work with clients anywhere. This also provides flexibility for your schedule and allows you to engage in coaching from the comfort of your own space.
What if I'm not sure this is what I need?
That's a great question to explore during a discovery call. This work is most effective when you're ready for change and willing to actively participate in the process. If I sense that another type of support (like therapy or consulting) might be more beneficial, I'll be honest with you and can provide referrals to trusted professionals.

