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Cellist and Music Entrepreneur

A good friend recommended I see Astrid because I was stuck. Stuck. Stuck. Stuck, and suffering. She has helped me parse through all the detail in what seemed panoramic hopelessness. She has worked in a distinctly different way than my psychotherapist, more pragmatically, and the combination of the two ... has been, for me, very effective. I have made tectonic shifts in the way I see myself, my place in the world and how I move through it. There have been some very painful changes and realizations, but most important, I have found a source for joy, hope and energy, undiluted by difficulties, so that I actually feel better, and stronger. This is my testimony to Astrid.

— TM, Rhode Island

Pianist and Music Entrepreneur

Just at the moment I discovered that the field of life coaching existed a friend of mine referred me to Astrid and I was very happy to be among her first clients.  Similarly the coaching sessions themselves have opened me to lot of synchronicity in my life.   So often I have entered sessions with Astrid feeling overwhelmed and conflicted, and so often I come out of a session feeling aligned and empowered.   It's wonderful how she can slice through so much of my confusion and assist in creating a sense of clarity.   Astrid has boundless positive energy and at the same time is an acute listener. Though I feel I have a ways to go, I am quite aware that since I have been coaching with Astrid, I have maintained more consistent focus and spent more time doing the things I love than before.  I have recommended her to friends and will continue to do so.

— KG, New York, NY

Educator

Astrid Baumgardner is a true facilitator, and in that capacity she has guided me to discover the values and deeply held beliefs essential to my happiness and fulfillment in the workplace, wherever it may be....Through our coaching sessions, I was able to draw out and fortify my self-confidence, without which my ambitious relocation would not previously have been conceivable. When you are determined to strive diligently for change in your life, Astrid will be there to help you to create a roadmap to navigate and overcome every obstacle you encounter throughout your life-altering transition.

— MH, New York, NY and Tokyo, Japan

Pianist and Juilliard
Masters Student

After having lived in NYC for 3 years and experienced a myriad of professional musical relationships, I thought it was about time to find a better way to manage them and reduce my schedule to a realistic and happier situation. I really enjoy the rapport [with Astrid] because it gets me to think of my personal issues on a more global level in terms of relating to others in and out of my field of work, and also in a manner that breaks down specific problems into manageable chunks. It seems that every question I ask and every issue we talk about ties into a deeper core problem which I am only now beginning to reveal and understand about myself...I love that Astrid can personally relate to almost everything that is brought up during coachings.  I also love that Astrid can prioritize the coaching so that we spend more time on the not-so-obvious problem solving first, before tackling the things that I myself, feel are big problems.

— IFW, New York, NY

What is a Life Coach?

How is a Coach different from a Therapist, a Mentor, and a Consultant?

What is a Career Coach and how does she differ from a Career Counselor and a Headhunter?

How long does a client work with a coach?

How do you work?

What is Group Coaching?

Who benefits from Group Coaching?

Sounds great! What do I do now?

What is a Life Coach?

A professional who partners with you to take you from where you are to where you want to be by

• examining your current challenges,
• helping you to set meaningful goals,
• removing external and internal blocks to your success,
• motivating you to take actions towards achieving your goals and
• holding you accountable.

A Life Coach works with you to achieve success on issues involving your career, relationships, health and wellness, finances and any other area that you consider important to your well-being.

How is a Coach different from a Therapist, a Mentor, and a Consultant?

Therapist: A therapist helps a patient heal from deep emotional and psychological wounds and is focused on the past; a thereapist tends to ask why things happened. A coach focuses on the present; the past is a teaching tool relating to a client’s current challenges and future goals. The coaching process is action-oriented and asks the client how, rather than why, so the client is motivated to set goals and take actions for the present and future.

Mentor: A mentor provides advice based on his or her personal experience as the model for success whereas a coach never gives advice; rather, a coach honors each individual’s journey and empowers the client to look for his or her own answer

Consultant: A consultant is an expert in a particular field who is hired to fix problems and provide answers; a consultant is typically not involved in implementing the change. A coach does not “fix” or give advice; rather, she assists the client in finding his own answers from within. A coach is also there to support growth and change.

What is a Career Coach and how does she differ from a Career Counselor and a Headhunter?

Career Counselor: A career counselor generally provides advice on how to find a new job. The assistance is focused on and limited to the client’s career and tends to be short-term.

Headhunter: A headhunter generally places candidates with prospective employers. A career coach may refer a client to a headhunter but the coach’s role is not to find a job for his client.

Career Coach: A career coach has a broader role. She guides her client through the various aspects of the client’s career including

• work/life balance,
• maximizing performance on the client’s job,
• enhancing and developing job skills,
• transitioning to a different career, preparing for networking and interviewing and supporting the transition to a new career.

In addition to career planning, a career coach helps with all aspects of a client’s life, including personal and professional success, financial independence and interpersonal relationships.

How long does a client work with a coach?

I generally recommend a minimum of 3 months, in order to experience the benefits of coaching. It usually takes 6 weeks to create a new habit and another 6 weeks to master that habit. Many clients find that they enjoy the weekly accountability of coaching and on-going support as we collaborate to create the life that you are looking for.

How do you work?

• I assist you in identifying your goals, your core values, your strengths, your talents, your passions and your attitudes.
• We work together to design a plan to help you achieve your goals.
• We engage in a process of self-discovery so that you are working towards the goals that are meaningful for you.
• I help you identify and overcome obstacles that hold you back from achieving your goals.
• We break down your goals into manageable strategies and tactics so that you are taking actions every week towards your goals.
• I am there to hold you accountable each week as you move towards your desired goals

Click here to find out more about my one-on-one coaching services.

What is Group Coaching?

Group coaching is a regularly scheduled series of sessions with a group of like-minded people. My role is to ask questions, facilitate the discussion and provide on-the-spot coaching to group members. The group members contribute their perspective and insights and receive the benefits of multiple points of view.

Who benefits from Group Coaching?

Group coaching is great for people who want the support of a group and enjoy brainstorming with like-minded individuals. It is also less expensive than individual coaching while still providing the benefit of working with a professional coach. Individual coaching is appropriate for people who want the undivided attention of the coach and/or who are uncomfortable sharing in a group setting.

Sounds great! What do I do now?

Call me at 917.747.5625 or sign-up for a complimentary session to experience what coaching can do for you or to enroll in one of my coaching groups. I do complimentary sessions every week so call now to book an appointment. You can also join my mailing list to receive periodic updates and tips.