Program

is an acronym for “Creating Options And Conquering Hurdles”.

The program is a motivational program that assists students in accomplishing their academic, social, and personal goals. It is sponsored by the Counseling Center and the Division of Undergraduate Education. Its primary goal is to provide students who are stressed, unmotivated or worried about their grades or life in general with a personal coach. The role of the Life Coach is to assist students in their endeavor for ultimate success.

The Coaching process involves 3-steps:

• Helping a student assess what their needs are
• Formulating an individual plan with specific steps, tasks and timelines and
• Monitoring the student’s progress until s/he has reached his/her goal

The methods of coaching are one to one contact, email, and phone. A student may want to request a Life Coach when s/he wants to:

• Achieve better grades
• Effectively manage their stress level or time
• Improve overall communication skills
• Develop better friendships
• Enhance self-esteem
• Overcome shyness or anxiety
• Maintain healthy eating habits
• Improve relationships with parents, or a significant other
• Change any behavior that is important to her/him
  There is no goal the program cannot help a student achieve if he/she has a strong desire to make a change or difference in their life.

Who are we:

Life Coaches are a group of upper level undergraduate students carefully selected and extensively trained by mental health professionals from the Counseling Center. They are culturally diverse, represent a variety of academic majors and speak several different languages. They have expertise in the area of helping you accomplish your personal goals whether it be by achieving positive self-esteem, better time-management, improving communication skills, enhancing academic achievement or establishing healthy relationships with friends, family or significant others to name a few.

            
      Ms. Marikyo Adams, LCSW
       (Coordinator and Advisor)

Current Life Coaches 2008-2009:

Beatriz Bello	Bianca Barrios	Carlos Fernandez
Catherine Barba	Clara Chui	Eddy Gana
Elizabeth Jordan	Elizabeth Mour	Ken Tran
Leila Naja	Mary Whitelaw	Nathan Hill
Paddy Asg	Saimir Thano

Questions, comments, or request a coach:

Please call the Counseling Center at 949.824.6457 to request a life coach. Request of services can also be made through the Division of Undergraduate Education Receptionist at 949.824.6987.

Location:

Counseling Center, 203 Student Services I, directly across from the new Starbucks.
or
Administration Building, Room 256, located directly across from the Registrar on the main level of the building.

Interested in becoming a Life Coach?

The Program offers a select number of students the opportunity to become a Life Coach and to provide needed support services to the UC Irvine community. Life Coaches are trained in basic counseling/coaching skills, assessment and leadership skills, workshop facilitation, gender issues, relationship concerns, diversity, group dynamics and other factors that impact the psychosocial functioning of men and women.

Job Benefits:

Your commitment to the Program would provide you with the following:

• Academic Credit – Social Ecology majors can count one of their Winter or Spring quarters as part of their core. You may also use the C.O.A.C.H. program as your 195 field study—see your Social Ecology academic counselor for further information.
• Practical Experience – While involved in this program you will provide direct service to students i.e., individual counseling, support groups and workshops. You will be supervised by a licensed therapist from the Counseling Center. Because graduate schools tend to value practical experience, the C.O.A.C.H. program can be a helpful addition to your transcripts and resume.
• Increase Your Skills – You will learn what your strengths and weaknesses are in relation to your potential as a counselor. You will also learn to design and deliver workshops, counsel and coach students.
• Opportunity to Help Others – With your new and/or increased skills you will be able to assist others in achieving their goals, managing their stress, enhancing their self-esteem and zest for life.
• Being Trained By Professional Therapists – Life Coaches are trained by experienced and recognized professionals within their field of expertise.

Application process/deadline:

Applications to be a COACH for the 2009-2010 academic year are available now. Download the application here, and turn in the completed form to the front desk at the Counseling Center by April 17, 2009.