Life Coaching is NOT therapy although there are some similarities. Therapy focuses on healing the past, helping you to better understand your feelings, and alleviating psychological problems. Life coaching, on the other hand, is about taking action steps toward designing a positive future. Therapy is like looking at the rear view mirror to examine where you are coming from while coaching is like looking out the front window to determine where you want to go.

While a psychotherapist might ask "How do you feel?" a life coach often asks "What do you want and how would you like to feel?" and then helps you to develop strategies to obtain your personal or professional goals.

Both psychotherapists and life coaches have a professional relationship with their clients. A life coach is a trained professional and is exactly what the name infers – they act as your coach in life. Just like a sports coach, they are able to offer you the information and tools needed for you to win at life! They help you to first identify the areas of your life you are having difficulty with and then help you to design a plan for a more positive and fulfilling future.

The relationship that you have with a life coach is supportive in every way. They are there to first listen to what your goals and aspirations are for better work, family and love relationships. Whether those goals are taking the steps toward finding or changing your career, taking steps to finding a creative outlet, or becoming more engaged in your marriage, a life coach can steer you in the right direction.

Life coaching is usually conducted over the telephone and sessions customarily last anywhere from a half-hour to forty-five minutes. Between sessions you may occasionally receive some life coaching online to update your progress. You may also be given weekly "success assignments" designed to assist you in staying committed to your vision and reaching your goals.

As your Coach, my job is to first help you uncover your inner resources (knowledge and skills you already possess) to make decisions regarding which changes you would like to make. From there we develop a personal "action plan" in order to make those changes and develop strategies to maintain the changes you have made.

Throughout the coaching process I will support, encourage, teach, challenge, and utilize whatever tools I have at my disposal to help you stay "on track" toward your goals. My “win” as your Coach is to help you to reach your goals faster and get the results you want in life.

About Dr. Gary
"Dr. Gary" Stollman received his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and brings to his clients a diverse background of experience. In addition to his private practice, he has worked at the Viscott Center, founded by noted psychiatrist and author, Dr. David Viscott. Dr. Gary has helped numerous individuals resolve a variety of personal issues.

In his Life Coaching practice, Dr. Gary places emphasis on being honest with oneself and helping individuals to find simple solutions to seemingly complex problems. By breaking down what may seem to be insurmountable tasks or projects into “bite size” chunks, Dr. Gary’s clients often find themselves amazed with the results they create in their lives in a short amount of time.Dr. Gary is also an author and enjoys public speaking on a variety of topics.

He has appeared on a number of radio and television programs including but not limited to Channel 51 Discovery Health, Inside Edition, Blind Date, Channel 34 News, Channel 4 News (KNBC), Fox News, KZLA Radio, KKGO Radio, KIIS Radio, KOST Radio, and Cox Television.