Our Career Coaching Services

Step 1: Your Initial Career Coaching Session

Welcome to Turning Tides Counselling & Life Coaching. We're glad you're here. This first step is all about getting to know you, understanding where you are in your career journey, and exploring what brought you to seek support right now.

What Happens in Your First Session

Your initial session is a 50-minute conversation designed to create a foundation of trust and understanding. Here's what you can expect:

• A warm welcome where we establish a safe, non-judgmental space
• Your story – we'll listen as you share your current career situation, challenges, and what you're hoping to achieve
• Deeper exploration – together we'll uncover what matters most to you, your core values, and any emotional or psychological factors that may be influencing your career decisions
• Goal clarification – we'll define what success looks like for you and identify realistic, meaningful objectives for our work together
• Introduction to our approach – you'll learn how we work, what tools and methods we use, and how we'll support you between sessions
• First steps – we'll identify one or two initial actions you can begin exploring right away

Our Approach to Career Coaching

Career coaching at Turning Tides is different because we don't just focus on resumes and job searches. We work with the whole you. That means we pay attention to the emotional blocks, past experiences, and mindset patterns that shape your career choices. Our care is informed by trauma research, which means we understand that career transitions can bring up big feelings and old wounds. We create space for that.

We use several evidence-based approaches tailored to your unique needs:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) work to help you understand different parts of yourself and how they show up in your career
• Somatic approaches that honour what your body knows about your career path
• Cognitive Behavioural work to shift unhelpful thinking patterns around work and capability
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify your values and commit to meaningful action
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for managing the emotions that come with big career changes

All of this is grounded in accountability coaching and life skills coaching, which means we help you not just dream about change but actually build the skills and habits to make it happen.

What to Expect Practically

Format: Your sessions are delivered online through a secure, private platform. This means you can participate from anywhere that feels comfortable for you.

Duration: Each session is 50 minutes. This gives us real time to go deep without feeling rushed.

Frequency: Most clients find weekly or biweekly sessions work best for career coaching. We'll discuss what rhythm makes sense for you.

Between sessions: You'll receive follow-up emails after each session summarizing what we discussed and any reflections or actions we identified. This keeps the momentum going and gives you something to reference.

Investment: Career coaching sessions are affordable and accessible. We offer a sliding scale option if you need it. Coverage may be available through your insurance provider depending on your individual policy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Started

Do I need to prepare anything for my first session?

No preparation needed. Just show up as you are. If you'd like to jot down a few thoughts about your current career situation or what you're hoping to achieve, that can be helpful, but it's entirely optional.

What if I'm not sure career coaching is right for me?

That's a completely valid question. We offer a free 20-minute consultation before your first full session. This gives you a chance to ask questions, share a bit about what's on your mind, and see if we feel like a good fit. There's no obligation.

Will this feel like therapy?

Career coaching and counselling are different, though they can overlap. Coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented. It's about where you want to go and how to get there. That said, because we work from a place of care informed by trauma research, you may find that deeper emotional work happens naturally. That's not a problem. It's actually part of what makes our coaching effective.

What if I'm dealing with anxiety or past trauma related to work?

That's exactly what we're trained for. Many people come to career coaching because work anxiety, past job trauma, or difficult workplace experiences are holding them back. We know how to work with that. Our Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Kotone Frankowski, brings both coaching expertise and specialized training in trauma informed care, so you're in good hands.

Can I do sessions at a specific time that works for my schedule?

Yes. We work with your schedule. Sessions are offered throughout the week, and we're flexible about timing. If you're in a different time zone, we can work with that too.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Life happens. We ask for reasonable notice when possible, and we're happy to reschedule. We'll discuss our cancellation policy when you book.

Is everything I share confidential?

Yes. Everything you share in your sessions is confidential and protected. The only exceptions are situations where there's risk of harm to yourself or others, which we'd discuss with you directly.

How do I know if this is working?

We check in regularly about how things are going and whether you're moving toward your goals. You'll notice shifts in how you feel about your career, increased clarity about what you want, and concrete progress on the actions we identify together. We'll celebrate those wins with you.

How to Book Your First Session

Ready to get started? Here's how:

Option 1: Book online

Visit our secure booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling to schedule your free 20-minute consultation or your first full session.

Option 2: Contact us directly

• Email: info@turningtidestoday.com
• Phone: (1) 778-321-6058

When you reach out, just let us know you're interested in career coaching and we'll get you connected.

About Your Coach

Your career coach is Kotone Natasha Frankowski, a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with over five years of experience supporting people through life transitions, career changes, and personal growth. Kotone holds a certification from Evergreen Certifications in trauma informed care and brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to everything she does. She's trained in Internal Family Systems, somatic approaches, cognitive behavioural work, and more. Most importantly, she gets that career decisions aren't just practical. They're deeply personal.

We're Here to Support You

Our career coaching services are available to people throughout British Columbia and beyond. Whether you're in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, or anywhere else, you can access support online. We're proud to serve all of British Columbia, from its vibrant cities to its picturesque rural communities.

We accept major insurance providers including Canada Life, Green Shield Canada, Manulife, SunLife, and Pacific Blue Cross. Coverage may be available based on your individual policy, so it's worth checking with your provider.

You've already taken the first step by being here. Let's take the next one together.

Questions Before You Book?

Reach out anytime. We're here to help.

• Email: info@turningtidestoday.com
• Phone: (1) 778-321-6058
• Website: www.turningtidestoday.com

Step 2: Getting to Know You and Setting Your Direction

Welcome to the intake and goal-setting phase of your career coaching journey. This is where we really begin to understand who you are, what matters most to you, and where you want to go. Think of this step as laying the foundation for meaningful change.

What Happens During Your First Sessions

Your initial sessions are all about building trust and gathering the information we need to support you effectively. We'll have relaxed, conversational discussions about your career history, your current situation, and your hopes for the future. There's no pressure here. We're simply getting to know each other.

During these early conversations, we'll explore several important areas:

• Your career background and the experiences that have shaped your professional journey
• What brings you to coaching right now and what's prompting this change
• Your core values and what truly matters to you in work and life
• Any challenges or obstacles you're facing, including emotional or personal factors
• Your vision for your ideal career and what success looks like to you
• How past experiences, including any difficult ones, might be influencing your current choices

Each session lasts 50 minutes, giving us plenty of time to explore these topics thoroughly without feeling rushed.

How We Gather Information

We use a collaborative approach to understand your situation. Rather than filling out lengthy forms or taking formal tests, we have meaningful conversations. We might ask you reflective questions that help you discover things about yourself. We might explore your strengths and the times you've felt most confident. We listen carefully to what you share and what lies beneath the surface.

Our approach is grounded in care informed by trauma research. This means we recognise that your career decisions don't happen in isolation. Your emotions, your past experiences, and your sense of self all play a role. We create space to explore these connections gently and respectfully.

Understanding Your Unique Situation

Career coaching isn't one-size-fits-all. We use several collaborative methods to understand what's truly important to you:

• Values exploration: We discuss what matters most to you in your work and life, helping you identify the principles that should guide your career decisions
• Strengths discovery: We explore your natural talents, skills, and the times you've felt most capable and engaged
• Emotional landscape: We gently explore how you're feeling about your career, any fears or doubts, and what might be holding you back
• Life context: We understand how your career fits into your broader life, including any transitions or challenges you're navigating
• Mindset patterns: We explore the beliefs you hold about yourself and your potential, identifying any limiting thoughts we can work through together

The Goal-Setting Process

Once we understand your situation more clearly, we'll work together to set meaningful goals. This isn't about setting vague aspirations. We create specific, achievable objectives that excite you and feel genuinely possible.

Your goals might include:

• Clarifying your career direction and identifying roles that align with your values
• Building confidence in your abilities and your right to pursue meaningful work
• Developing practical skills like resume writing, interview preparation, or networking
• Navigating a career transition with greater ease and self-assurance
• Overcoming emotional blocks or self-doubt that's been limiting your progress
• Creating a realistic action plan with clear next steps

We'll refine these goals together, making sure they feel authentic to you and aligned with what you truly want.

What to Bring and Prepare

To make the most of your intake sessions, here's what we suggest you have ready:

Addressing Your Concerns About This Process

Many people feel nervous about the intake phase. Here's what you should know:

Will I have to share things I'm not comfortable with? No. You're always in control of what you share. We'll move at your pace, and you can let us know if a topic feels too sensitive. There's no pressure to disclose anything you're not ready to discuss.

What if I don't have all the answers? That's completely normal. In fact, most people come to coaching because they're uncertain. We'll explore these questions together. Uncertainty is where growth happens.

Is this going to feel like therapy? Career coaching and counselling work together beautifully. We use approaches informed by Internal Family Systems, somatic awareness, cognitive behavioural techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy. These help us understand not just your career goals, but the emotional and psychological factors influencing them. It's supportive and collaborative, not clinical or judgmental.

How long does the intake process take? Most people complete their intake over two to three sessions. Some need more time, and that's absolutely fine. We move at whatever pace feels right for you.

What happens after the intake? Once we've gathered a clear picture of your situation and set your goals, we'll move into the active coaching phase. You'll receive a summary of what we've learned together and the goals we've established. This becomes your roadmap.

Between-Session Support

Your coaching doesn't end when the session does. Between our meetings, you'll receive follow-up emails that reinforce what we've discussed and offer reflections to consider. These emails help you stay connected to your goals and give you space to process what we've explored together.

Ready to Begin?

The intake and goal-setting phase is an investment in understanding yourself more deeply. It's where we build the trust and clarity needed for real, lasting change. You're not just preparing for a new career. You're preparing to step into a version of yourself that feels more authentic, more confident, and more aligned with what truly matters to you.

If you have questions about this process or want to discuss whether career coaching is right for you, we offer a complimentary 20-minute consultation. This gives you a chance to meet us, ask anything you'd like, and decide if this feels like the right fit.

Ready to take the next step? Book your initial consultation through our online booking platform at https://www.colib.io/booking/turning-tides-coaching-counselling. You can also reach out to us at info@turningtidestoday.com or 778-321-6058 if you'd prefer to chat first.

We're here to support you. Let's build something meaningful together.

Step 3: Your Healing Journey Unfolds

Welcome to the active phase of your career coaching experience. This is where real transformation happens. You've clarified your direction in Step 2, and now we move into the meaningful work of building new skills, shifting how you see yourself, and taking concrete steps toward the career that truly fits your life.

What Happens in Your Sessions

Each session with us lasts 50 minutes. We structure this time to honour both your needs and your progress.

Your Session Flow

The Therapeutic Approaches We Use

Your coaching draws from several evidence-based approaches, all woven together in ways that serve your specific needs.

• Internal Family Systems work helps you understand the different parts of yourself that show up in your career life. Maybe one part wants security while another craves adventure. We help these parts work together rather than against each other.
• Somatic approaches recognise that your body holds wisdom. We notice what happens in your body when you think about career changes. We use this information to understand what you truly need.
• Approaches grounded in polyvagal theory help us understand your nervous system's response to career stress or uncertainty. We build practices that help you feel safer and more resourced as you navigate change.
• Cognitive behavioural work helps you identify thoughts that limit your possibilities and gently explore whether they're actually true. You might discover that the story you've been telling yourself about your abilities needs updating.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps you clarify what genuinely matters to you in your work life, then take meaningful action toward it, even when fear or doubt shows up.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills give you practical tools for managing the emotional intensity that sometimes comes with career transitions. These are skills you can use in any challenging moment.

All of this work is grounded in care informed by trauma research. We understand that career decisions often touch on deeper experiences of safety, worth, and belonging. We create space for this with gentleness and respect.

What You'll Work On Between Sessions

The real magic happens in your daily life. Between sessions, you'll engage in practices designed to deepen your learning and move you forward.

Reflective Practices

You might keep a simple journal where you notice moments when you felt energised or drained at work. You might reflect on conversations that went well or ones you'd like to handle differently next time. These reflections help you see patterns and possibilities you might otherwise miss.

Skill Building

We might invite you to practise a new way of talking about your strengths. You might research a career path that intrigues you. You might reach out to someone in a role you're curious about. These aren't tests. They're experiments in possibility.

Mindset Work

You'll explore beliefs that shape your career choices. When you notice yourself thinking 'I'm not good enough for that role' or 'People like me don't do that kind of work,' you'll have tools to gently question these stories. Over time, you'll develop a more accurate, kinder understanding of what's actually possible for you.

Emotional Regulation Practices

Career transitions can stir up anxiety, grief, or uncertainty. We'll teach you grounding techniques and breathing practices you can use when big feelings arise. These aren't complicated. They're simple tools that actually work.

Goal-Focused Action

You'll take concrete steps toward your career goals. This might mean updating your CV, having a conversation with your manager, exploring new training, or simply spending time clarifying what you actually want. Each step, no matter how small, moves you forward.

How We Track Your Progress

Progress in career coaching isn't always linear, and that's completely normal. We track what matters in ways that feel real to you.

In our early sessions together, we'll have conversations about what success looks like for you. What would be different in your work life if this coaching was truly helpful? What would you notice? What would others notice about you?

Between sessions, you'll receive a brief email from us summarising what we explored and what you're working on. This helps you remember insights and stay connected to your goals.

In each session, we'll check in on how things are unfolding. Are the practices we're using actually helping? Do we need to shift our approach? Your feedback shapes everything we do. This is collaborative work.

Over time, you'll likely notice shifts. Maybe you feel more confident in conversations about your career. Maybe you've taken a step you weren't sure you could take. Maybe you have a clearer sense of what you actually want. Maybe you're managing the emotions that come with change more skillfully. These are the markers of real progress.

Your Role in This Process

You are the expert on your own life. We're here to offer perspective, tools, and support. But you're the one who decides what feels right, what you're ready to try, and how fast to move.

Some weeks you'll feel energised and ready to take big steps. Other weeks you might need to slow down and process. Both are valuable. We work at your pace, honouring what you need in each moment.

Between sessions, do the practices that resonate with you. Skip the ones that don't. Let us know what's working and what isn't. This feedback helps us serve you better.

Ready to Move Forward?

Step 3 is where your career coaching truly comes alive. You're not just thinking about change anymore. You're practising new ways of being, building new skills, and taking real steps toward work that fits.

Our trauma-informed career coaching serving all of British Columbia is designed to support you through this journey with care, skill, and genuine belief in your possibilities.

Ready to book your first session and begin this work?

Book your career coaching sessions now through our online platform

If you have questions before booking, reach out to us at info@turningtidestoday.com or call 778-321-6058. We're here to help.

Step 4: Progress Evaluation and Completion

You've reached an important milestone in your career coaching journey. This final step is about recognizing how far you've come, evaluating your progress, and preparing for the next chapter of your professional life.

Understanding Your Progress

Throughout our work together, you've been building clarity around your career direction. You've explored your values, identified your strengths, and developed concrete goals. Now we take time to reflect on what has shifted.

Progress in career coaching isn't always linear. Sometimes the most meaningful changes happen quietly, in how you approach challenges or in conversations you have with colleagues. Other times, you'll see tangible results like a promotion, a job transition, or renewed confidence in your professional abilities.

Signs You're Ready for Completion

You may be ready to complete this phase of coaching when you experience several of these indicators:

• You have clarity on your career direction and feel confident in your next steps
• You've developed practical strategies for managing workplace stress and difficult emotions
• You're taking action toward your goals without needing constant external motivation
• You understand your values and how they guide your professional choices
• You feel equipped to handle career transitions or challenges independently
• Your self-esteem has strengthened and you trust your professional judgment
• You've built resilience and coping skills that support your wellbeing at work

Evaluating Your Achievements

Before we close this chapter, we'll spend time reviewing what you've accomplished. This might include looking at goals you've reached, obstacles you've overcome, and the personal growth you've experienced. This reflection serves two important purposes. It reinforces your progress and it helps you recognize the capabilities you can draw on moving forward.

Our collaborative conversations throughout your coaching journey have created a foundation of self-awareness and practical tools. These remain with you.

Maintenance Strategies for Long-Term Success

Completing structured coaching doesn't mean your growth stops. It means you're transitioning into a phase where you apply what you've learned independently. Here are strategies to maintain your momentum:

Follow-Up and Ongoing Support Options

Your coaching relationship doesn't have to end completely. Our practice offers flexible options for clients who want to maintain connection and support:

Occasional check-in sessions: Many clients find value in returning for a single session every few months to discuss new challenges or celebrate milestones. This keeps you accountable and connected to your growth.

Between-session email support: If you face a specific challenge after completing your coaching package, you can reach out via email to discuss your situation. We can often provide guidance or help you think through your next steps.

Group support options: Our career-focused groups and community resources remain available to you. Connecting with others navigating similar professional transitions can provide ongoing inspiration and practical insights.

Return to coaching: Life and careers evolve. If you experience a significant transition, face new challenges, or want to pursue deeper growth in a different area, you're welcome to return for another coaching engagement.

Celebrating Your Growth

Take a moment to acknowledge what you've accomplished. You've invested time and energy into understanding yourself better. You've faced uncomfortable questions and discovered answers that matter. You've developed skills and resilience that will serve you throughout your career.

This is worth celebrating.

What Happens Next

In your final session, we'll create a personal action plan that outlines your key insights, your goals for the next year, and the strategies you'll use to maintain your progress. This document becomes your reference guide when you need to reconnect with your clarity and purpose.

You'll also receive a summary of the work we've done together, including the approaches and techniques that proved most helpful for you. This serves as a reminder of your resources and capabilities.

Staying Connected

Our practice serving all of British Columbia remains here for you. Whether you're in Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, or any community across the province, you can access our services online whenever you need support.

You can reach us at info@turningtidestoday.com or 778-321-6058 if you have questions or want to schedule a follow-up session.

Your career journey continues. The clarity, confidence, and skills you've developed through coaching become part of how you move forward. We're honoured to have supported this chapter of your professional growth.