Relationship
Problems?
Psychologist
Helps Individuals Over
the Phone
A Who Detroit interview
with Dr. Sandra Schiff,
Relationship Coach
Dr.
Sandra M. Schiff has
been a practicing clinician
for over 30 years and
now specializes in coaching
individuals, couples
and groups over the
phone. She is an adjunct
professor at University
of Michigan-Ann Arbor
and Marygrove College
in Detroit.
Who:
Dr.
Schiff, is it true that
you specialize in therapy
over the telephone?
Dr.
Schiff:
I've taken my medical
practice and turned
it into a coaching practice.
The biggest difference
and why it works over
the telephone is that
I'm not talking about
past problems. I am
talking about issues
with people who are
stuck in some area in
their lives and need
to move on. Coaching
works because it's solution-based,
not problem-based.
Who:
Wow,
that's a real paradigm
shift in therapy.
Dr.
Schiff:
Coaching
has been extremely satisfying
for my clients. Many
have done traditional
clinical therapy and
then continue with phone-based
coaching. It's extremely
empowering. Empowerment
is really the hallmark
of coaching.
Who:
This
is like personal training
for the soul.
Dr.
Schiff:
Exactly!
Having a relationship
coach ensures living
your life with intention
and increasing your
happiness and success.
People always say that
they're going to keep
their bodies fit, but
it's time that we give
people the opportunity
to keep their relationships
fit. I'm the person
to see for that!
Who:
Who
comes to see you?
Dr.
Schiff:
Men
and women. I talk to
individuals, groups,
couples, business executives
- anyone who wants to
make changes in their
lives and discover their
potential. Success in
life is determined greatly
by the success of our
relationships.
Who:
And
it seems like every
relationship has some
kind of challenge!
Dr.
Schiff:
Absolutely.
I have studied the topic
extensively and specialize
in mother/daughter relationships.
Every challenge you
may have, I can address
in telephone coaching.
Who:
How does it work over
the telephone?
Dr.
Schiff:
First,
each client answers
written questions giving
us our platform from
which to start. It's
about what's going on,
what they want to accomplish,
what they want to get
out of each call. It's
structured so there
is a focus to our conversation.
In between appointments,
they can fax, email
or call with an emergency
or a crisis, but it
really is incumbent
upon them to work on
their goals.
Who:
What
kind of response do
you get from telephone
coaching?
Dr.
Schiff:
The
response is excellent.
Telephone coaching gets
results and it's flexible.
Most people find it
extremely convenient
and practical to their
lifestyles. They can
do it while driving
to work, in between
meetings, or in the
privacy of their own
homes.
Who:
But
I imagine this still
takes commitment.
Dr.
Schiff:
Tremendous
commitment. People need
to live their lives
with intention and so
many people don't live
this way - which is
why they're so unhappy.
This is a very big port
of coaching. The coach
is the person that keeps
them accountable, keeps
them focused, has them
look at all the possibilities.
Coaching is really about
the possibilities, the
"what if's."
And making those "what
if's" come true.
This
article ran in the May,
2005 Issue of Spree
Magazine and is re-printed
here with their permission
