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Coaching & Counseling for Athletes, Executives, and other Performers
Mental coaching cultivates a strong mind-body connection
From time to time, athletes at every level struggle with their performance. If they need to get stronger or faster, they usually seek out a strength and conditioning coach, who can teach them the physical techniques to improve. If they are struggling with a specific skill, they work with a coach who can teach them to perfect that technique.
If the struggle is with confidence, focus, motivation, pressure, or consistency, then working with a mental performance coach is the right step.
Darci Freeman, LMFT, ACC
Hello, my name is Darci. I'm a coach and a therapist.
My passion lies in helping you find success and determine the motivation to get there. Whether you are an athlete feeling stuck in your sport and need some mental strength coaching to boost your performance or you are looking to venture into a new domain and would benefit from building some toughness and focus, I am committed to guiding and coaching you to reach your short- and long-term goals.
I have been providing therapy for over 13 years and coaching for the last 3. This practice is a space where I can utilize both skillsets to provide a more holistic service to you. Behind every obstacle to peak performance is a root cause that must be addressed. When you meet with me, you are partnering with someone who can support you through all the personal, professional, and environmental issues that may be holding you back.
I enjoy meeting with people of all ages, from children to adults. My approach will shift based on the person in front of me so that I can connect with you on an authentic level and determine what is needed to be your greatest support.
Background & Credentials
I am an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) though ICF Credentials and Standards. My experience in coaching has been with executives, athletes, entrepreneurs, and those looking to reach their potential in any specific domain. I have also worked with groups at organizations to rebuild and reconnect; to develop established values, mission statement, and strategic plan; and to improve the overall performance by examining and assessing employee engagement and motivation.
In 2010, I received a master’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University in Couples & Family Therapy. I am currently licensed as a mental health practitioner in both Washington and California, as well as an approved clinical supervisor. Much of my experience has been in community mental health, working with children, adolescents, their families, and young adults. I have specific training in therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Play Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I hold a specialist credential as a Child Mental Health Specialist and an Ethnic Minority Mental Health Specialist.
My approach
I help individuals align actions with values to live authentically. My goal is to create an ideal space to practice communication, curiosity, acceptance, and accountability for a better daily experience and to find meaning and enjoyment in life. I take a client-centered, holistic approach to improve mental health and physical wellness as a human performance professional.
My coaching and counseling philosophy centers on the principles of discovery and trust as essential for growth. Discovery involves increasing self-awareness, learning new skills, gaining knowledge, and finding a life path that aligns with your true self. Trust begins with trusting yourself, recognizing your strengths, and following your inner voice. Trust is built on honesty, hope, care, and keeping promises. In practice, I prioritize honest and direct communication, instilling hope for a fulfilling life, and making your health a top priority. Our progress requires collaboration, with my commitment to listening, understanding, and providing expertise and accurate resources to find realistic solutions.
What are the benefits of hiring a Performance Coach?
- Setting and achieving goals: A performance coach can help you set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and develop an action plan to achieve them.
- Improved performance: A coach can help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement, develop new skills, and enhance your performance in various areas of your life, such as work, sports, or personal relationships.
- Increased self-awareness: A coach can help you gain a better understanding of yourself, your values, beliefs, and motivations, and identify any limiting beliefs or behaviors that may be holding you back.
- Enhanced accountability: A coach can hold you accountable for your actions, track your progress, and provide feedback and support to help you stay on track.
- Improved confidence and resilience: A coach can help you build confidence and resilience by encouraging you to take risks, face challenges, and learn from setbacks.
- Improved work-life balance: A coach can help you find a balance between work, family, and personal life, reducing stress and improving your overall well-being.
Why should I work with a coach
who is also a therapist
Therapists are especially equipped to provide value to corporate clients, teams, and other professionals. Ultimately, the job of an executive coach is to support the client in achieving the client's goals, and in companies that hire coaches the goals are usually related to improving employee engagement and retention, boosting team effectiveness and productivity, and ultimately increasing revenue. To get there, every company and individual client needs to grow in at least one and usually several of the areas outlined below.
Here are the three biggest benefits of executive coaching (especially when provided by a therapist):
- Self-awareness and insight: Good coaching helps people see what they’re doing - this is self-awareness. Great coaching helps them understand why they’re doing it - this is insight. Without these two, it’s really hard for people to change or grow. A good executive coach is like a mirror - helping people to see what needs refinement without judging them. Therapists have deep training in building the rapport required to help people feel safe enough to do this work, and provide the reflective listening that helps people start to see themselves accurately. Therapists working as executive coaches also have deep training in identifying their own biases so they can ensure the mirror they’re holding up for clients is accurate and helpful.
- Self-management: A solid executive coach teaches clients the skills to fine-tune themselves internally and present themselves well externally so they can maximize their impact at the company. An executive coach with a therapy background can teach clients and companies many, many, many ways to manage stress, manage negative emotions, bounce back and learn from failure, and establish solid boundaries in regard to time and roles.
- Collaboration: People with good self-awareness, good insight, and good self-management are more able to be empathetic, patient, team-oriented, and good communicators; all necessary qualities for productive collaboration. Good coaches teach people how to be effective with others while also being authentic - and working with the whole organization means everyone learns these skills so there’s less need for primitive strategies like politicking or manipulation, both of which are exhausting and erode trust and motivation. Executive coaches with a therapy background aren't afraid of messy team dynamics and can help coworkers negotiate their relationships and communicate their needs in healthy and effective ways.
Credit: Sepideh Saremi, "The Value of Executive Coaching (from a therapist)"
Why partner with Darci?
Comprehensive Support
Whether you’re looking to develop into a leadership role, improve performance, or find a new direction--I can be your guide. I coach and counsel high performers, leaders of all sorts, athletes, entrepreneurs, students...anyone who is ready to become impactful, effective, & confident.
unique coaching style
I'm not just a coach; I'm a therapist too. The benefit of combining these skillsets is that I can effectively guide you towards achieving your peak performance, while being able to identify and address depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues that may be impeding your ability to move forward. This combination makes me an empathetic, flexible & calming presence to guide you towards your goals.
seasoned therapist
As an experienced therapist, I have worked with people of many backgrounds and walks of life, as well as in a variety of therapeutic settings. I listen to my client's needs and learn what style works best for them, then tailor a therapeutic experience unique to you.
Payments & Insurance
Some notes on the logistics
of partnering with me:
Sessions last 50 minutes, though I sometimes book longer sessions if the need arises.
I typically use Zoom for tele-sessions. I am also willing to meet by phone or Facetime for established clients.
I accept payments through an app called Ivy Pay. You can use any of the following forms of payment: debit cards, all major credit cards, HSA cards, or FSA cards.
I know many people are interested in using their insurance to pay for therapy. Though I am not paneled with any insurance agencies, my normal policy is to provide you with a detailed invoice, which you can then submit to your insurance company.
What People Are Saying...
"Coaching has helped me to remain self aware and to diffuse situations and continue to build strong work relationships...I felt our meetings were successful, engaging, and productive." -Manager, Local Government
"Thanks for putting up with me as I learn to look at the world through a different lens. I appreciate your guidance..." -Hospital CEO
"Darci was a great facilitator. I loved the way she asked follow-up questions directly to people to hold us accountable..." -Team Building with Tribal Community
