FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Leadership, career decisions, and professional transitions rarely come with simple answers. You may know that something needs to change without being completely sure what that change should look like—or what kind of support you actually need.
This FAQ provides answers to some of the questions we hear most often about coaching, consulting, our approach, and what it is like to work with Dr. Loren. Whether you’re navigating a leadership challenge, considering your next move, or simply looking for a strategic thought partner, we hope you’ll find the clarity you need to take your next step.
What is coaching and consulting?
Coaching and consulting are two complementary ways I help higher education leaders navigate complex professional challenges, make strategic decisions, and move forward with greater clarity.
Coaching is a collaborative process focused on helping you think more strategically, identify what is getting in the way, strengthen your leadership capacity, and determine your next move. I don't simply give you answers. I help you develop the clarity and confidence to make decisions that align with where you are going.
Consulting is more directive. It draws on my expertise to help you assess a specific challenge, identify opportunities, develop a strategy, and determine practical next steps.
Sometimes you need a thought partner.
Sometimes you need an experienced strategist who can see what you may be too close to see. And sometimes you need both.
Who do you work with?
I work primarily with higher education professionals and leaders who are navigating a transition, challenge, or opportunity that requires more than a quick solution.
This includes senior leaders, academic and administrative leaders, faculty, directors, and other experienced professionals who are taking on greater responsibility, considering their next career move, navigating organizational complexity, or questioning whether their current role still fits.
My work is particularly well suited for professionals who have already achieved a level of success but recognize that what got them here may not be what gets them where they want to go next.
How do I know if coaching or consulting is right for me?
You may benefit from coaching or consulting if you find yourself thinking:
▶ I know something needs to change, but I'm not sure what.
▶ I've outgrown my role, but I don't know what comes next.
▶ I'm taking on more responsibility, but I don't feel fully prepared for it.
▶ I'm constantly solving problems for everyone else and need to think strategically about myself.
▶ I'm facing a difficult leadership decision and need an experienced thought partner.
▶ I know what I should do, but something keeps getting in the way.
▶ I'm ready for my next level, but I need a clearer strategy to get there.
You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from coaching or consulting. Sometimes the most valuable time to seek support is before you make your next major move.
What can I expect from working with you?
Expect a thoughtful, candid, and highly individualized process.
I don't believe in giving every client the same formula. We start with where you are, clarify what you actually need, and then determine the most appropriate path forward.
Depending on the engagement, our work may include leadership strategy, career positioning, decision-making, communication, navigating organizational dynamics, role transitions, professional visibility, or identifying the next stage of your career.
You can also expect me to challenge your thinking when necessary. My role isn't simply to validate where you are. It's to help you see more clearly, think more strategically, and act more intentionally.
How is your approach different from therapy?
Although I am a licensed clinical psychologist, coaching and consulting are not therapy.
Therapy generally focuses on mental health, psychological symptoms, emotional healing, and the impact of past or present experiences on your overall well-being.
Coaching and consulting are focused primarily on your professional goals, leadership, decision-making, performance, career direction, and future.
My psychological training informs how I understand people, relationships, organizational dynamics, and behavior—but I bring that expertise into the coaching and consulting relationship differently than I would in a therapeutic setting.
The focus is not on diagnosing you. The focus is on helping you move forward.
Do you offer one-time sessions or ongoing coaching?
Yes. The right format depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
For a specific challenge or decision, a one-time strategy or clarity session may be enough to help you gain perspective, identify your options, and determine your next steps.
For more complex leadership or career goals, an ongoing coaching or consulting engagement may be more appropriate. These engagements provide the time and structure needed to work through challenges, implement strategies, evaluate progress, and adjust as circumstances change.
If you're unsure which option makes sense for you, we can determine that together.
How long does coaching typically take?
There isn't a universal timeline.
Some challenges can be addressed through a focused, one-time engagement. Others require several months of coaching or consulting, particularly when you're navigating a significant leadership transition, career decision, or organizational challenge.
The goal isn't to keep you in coaching indefinitely. The goal is to give you the clarity, strategy, and tools you need to move forward.
The length of an engagement is therefore based on the complexity of your situation, the outcomes you want to achieve, and the level of support required.
How do I get started?
The first step is to schedule a Higher Ed Leadership Strategy Call.
This conversation gives us an opportunity to understand what you're navigating, what you're hoping to accomplish, and whether my approach is the right fit for your needs.
From there, we'll determine whether a focused strategy session, ongoing coaching, consulting, or another form of support makes the most sense.
You don't need to have your entire next move figured out before you reach out. That's part of the work.
ACCLIVITY
High-Touch, High-Impact Strategies for Higher Ed Leaders