The difference between therapy and coaching

The difference between therapy and coaching (Episode 37) In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, listen to this episode to learn the difference between therapy and coaching. Kay Coughlin talks about when the difference matters, and when you should ask for help. Learn more about all of this work at FacilitatorOnFire.net/LearnMore. Transcript of episode is below. #mental health...

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Why change is hard

Why it's so hard to change - your brain can be such a jerk! (Episode 36) In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about our brains acting like jerks about change! But why does it happen? Listen to this as an “explainer” episode to help those of us who aren’t neuroscientists understand what’s going on in our heads when we are faced with the idea of changing anything. And why we can get so exhausted...

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The Human Giver System

The Human Giver System (Episode 35) In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about what she calls the “Human Giver System,” which is the system that relies on countless unpaid human caregivers to sacrifice everything for the sake of the system itself. Kay talks about how her family’s wishes during her father’s last days of life went against a hospital’s beliefs about Human Giver System, and how to...

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People can change at any age

You can change at any age (Episode 34) You can stop believing that change and growth is only possible for younger people! Change and growth is a choice, and it can happen at any age. You can’t force anybody to do it (including your care receiver), but you do have the power to change yourself - and ONLY yourself. Learn more about all of this work at FacilitatorOnFire.net/LearnMore. Transcript...

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You are allowed to have boundaries

You are allowed to have boundaries (Episode 33) Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro when it comes to boundaries, it’s easy to believe that boundaries are great in every situation...except maybe not when you are a parent or caregiver. Because when the lives of your care receivers are at stake, you’re going to have to meet everybody’s needs no matter what it costs you. Right? Well, not...

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Why it’s so hard to let people help

Why it's so hard to let people help (Episode 32) Why in the world is it so hard to let people help us? Rejecting help when people offer it is a habit that drains us of precious energy, time, sleep and so many other critical things. In this episode, Kay Coughlin reveals some common reasons we struggle with this, talks about how to heal from it so we can be mentally and physically healthy, and...

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Human Giver Syndrome

Human Giver Syndrome (Episode 31) Human Giver Syndrome is the belief that some people (the givers) are supposed to exist to put all of their energy into creating comfort and success for other people, and to be attractive and available, physically and emotionally, at all times while doing it. In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about how this syndrome can afflict anybody (especially family...

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How to Feel Better as a Caregiver

How to Feel Better as a Caregiver (Episode 30) In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about how to feel better as a family caregiver right away. It might surprise you, because it doesn’t require a lot of time or energy, and it doesn’t rely on making any changes to your life or your situation. You don’t even have to tell anybody that you are doing it. All you need is courage and a little bit of...

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It’s OK to want to be seen

It's OK to want to be seen for who you are (Episode 29) In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about another radical idea: that it’s OK for caregivers to have identities and lives that don’t revolve around our role as caregivers. Kay explains that it’s normal and healthy to have individual needs and desires - and why it can be so hard to do that it seems laughable or even impossible. But it is...

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Yes, it’s hard to decide where to start

It's hard to decide where to start (Episode 28) In this episode, Kay Coughlin talks about why the overwhelming experience of being a caregiver can keep you stuck, unable to make changes to situations, relationships, beliefs and emotions. The good news is that you don’t have to change everything all at once. You can choose just one starting point. Kay reminds us we all have permission to be...

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