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Coaching | Create the Life You Want

LGBTQ counseling, therapy and coaching in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Barry Shaeffer specializes in working with gay men dealing with depression, relationship issues and anxiety, including panic attacks and social anxiety.

 

Personal & Career Coaching for Gay Men

As an LGBTQ-affirmative coach and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, I specialize in helping gay men navigate their inner critics and external pressure to get clear on who they are and what they really want… so they can make the bold moves they need to reach their goals. I work with people who:

  • are seeking clarity and confidence as they navigate a career change

  • are ready to attract more meaningful relationships, and need support with removing blocks and being courageous and authentic

  • are struggling to start/complete a creative project, and need accountability and encouragement to help them commit to their passion

  • are interested in designing engaging, purpose-driven, meaningful lives.

My approach is client-centered, meaning that I will support you with strategies, processing obstacles, accountability, and guidance, but ultimately you will be responsible for developing and achieving your goals. I believe that you have everything you need to have the life you desire, and my job is to help you see that and to support you in getting there.

How Coaching Works

Coaching starts with identifying the gap between where you are and where you would like to be and formulating a plan with both short and long term goals to move you in the direction you want to go. We will check in on progress each time we talk and you will end each session with a list of actionable items to move you forward.

I find that most coaching clients find the right balance to be bi-weekly sessions, which gives you time to work on your stated goals between our meetings. Clients have varying needs for support and we will have a conversation about what will work best for you.

Full sessions are $175 for 50 minutes. I am available to meet for our regular sessions via phone, or through secure video conferencing.

Coaching or Psychotherapy?

While being trained as a therapist is an added value that I will bring to our coaching relationship, I will not be providing therapy in a coaching relationship. While there are many similarities between therapy and coaching, they are separate and distinct in their focus and goals. If I make the determination during our work together that you could use the support of a therapist then I will refer you to a different therapist for that support. 


Connect with me to Get Started

If you would like to set up a consultation, please fill out the Starting Strong Survey below and I will contact you to set up our consultation.