Coaching Deaf and hearing adults and families in the San Francisco East Bay and around the world.
Set goals!
Overcome obstacles!
Change your life!
LIFE is a journey through good times and challenges. It is filled with decisions—conscious and unconscious—and actions—taken and not taken. COACHING is a partnership between you and me, in which you determine the lifepath you want to be on, and I support you to get started on that path. How? By asking questions, making observations, and sharing useful coaching tools designed to get you where you want to be in your life. Together we build the MOMENTUM that will carry you toward your goals.
Welcome to Momentum Life Coaching—an introduction in ASL
Welcome to Momentum Life Coaching—an introduction in English
The future is yours. What will you do with it?
About Me
I completed my Life Coach training through Life Purpose Institute, and earned my certification as a Life Coach in March of 2022. I am a hearing signer—I’m not Deaf, but I’m fluent in ASL. (If you’re Deaf and sign, we’ll sign. If not, we’ll talk.)
Career-wise, I worked as a Mental Health Rehab Specialist at Deaf Community Counseling Services, a program of Felton Institute in Alameda CA from 2013 to 2021. Before that, I worked as a School-Based Counselor at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont CA from 1986 to 2013. I’ve been a certified ASL interpreter through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf since 2008.
I earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Cal State University East Bay in 1986 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Feminist Therapy from Hampshire College in Amherst MA in 1978. My hobbies include water sports, martial arts, parenting, and reading novels.
“Mal was very effective in helping me prioritize my goals and put things into perspective. Her calm and objective tone made it easy to feel comfortable and focus on what I need to do going forward. Her questions were insightful and made me think. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great life coach!” —Carol E.
“Mal is thoughtful, good-humored, a great listener, and knows just the questions to ask to help me accomplish my goals. She is focused, gentle, direct. She helped me to successfully take on challenges I’d been avoiding for a long time. I highly recommend Mal as a life coach. Her help changed my life.” —Susan L.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Life Coaching?
Life coaching is a partnership in which you set goals and I ask questions to guide you in designing action steps to meet your goals.
How does it work?
In the first session we talk about you, your goals, what Life Coaching is, and your questions, so you can decide if Life Coaching is right for you. The first session is free. In the second session we review various parts of your life to get context and a bigger picture, then start shaping your ideas into actionable goals. In subsequent sessions you choose one or two goals or sub-goals to work on in that session, and I coach you to design action steps for those goals, for you to accomplish in the coming days. We work together for up to ten sessions. At the tenth session we review your progress and the tools you’ve learned. Most likely you’ll have the skills and new habits to set and meet goals on your own, and the momentum to carry you to those goals. If, after a break, you decide that you’d like to return for a few refresher sessions, that can be arranged.
Whom do you coach?
I coach:
Adults, teens, couples, and families
People who communicate in English or ASL, whether Deaf, hearing, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind
People who are in transition-- any kind of transition
College students creating their path forward
Neurotypical people and neurodivergent people, with or without special needs
People of any age who are starting or changing careers
Procrastinators
Perfectionists
Clutterers and collectors who yearn for empty spaces in their homes
People with clearly-defined goals
People with vaguely-defined goals
People who don’t have goals yet, but feel something is missing in their lives
People with great ideas who struggle with follow-through
Anyone interested in seeing what Life Coaching is
What does it cost?
My rate is $20 to $50 per session, sliding scale, based on what you feel comfortable paying. The first session is free.
Do you accept insurance?
Unfortunately, no. Health insurance companies don’t cover Life Coaching.
What if my issues are too complicated?
Life Coaching is not psychotherapy. I can help you find a psychotherapist if you need one, instead of (or in addition to) Coaching.
Where do we meet for sessions?
We meet by Zoom or FaceTime, or in person at a park, library or cafe near Oakland CA.
When can I start?
Whenever you’re ready!
How do I sign up?
Text, call, FaceTime, or video relay to 510-499-7707.
Or email [email protected].
Or send a message using the form below. I’ll get right back to you to set up an appointment.