Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What made you, Joan as a basic scientist and you, Sharyn as psychiatrist decide to start "Transition Pathways?"
Sharyn - I have always liked to work outside the box and to synthesize ideas and information from different disciplines. My pediatric training left me uncomfortable with the tendency in psychiatry to focus on pathology rather than on normal development and on people’s strengths and their capacity for adaptation. Furthermore, serendipity led me into situations that promoted this "bridging" perspective. I have held many professional roles that required me to learn about career trajectories, the employment environment and its problems, work-family conflicts, and to integrate this knowledge with what I know about psychological stress and mental health.
Joan - I increasingly observed people pursuing success at the cost of fragmenting their lives and often losing track of what was fundamentally important to them. I began to ask, "Does the traditional model of success demand that we sacrifice everything for it?"
Sharyn - The elements of life balance, well being and family issues were not covered in the traditional medical training nor was it easy to raise these issues in the workplace without losing credibility.
Joan - In my coaching practice I encountered clients who could not benefit from coaching without addressing the underlying psychological issues or symptoms that limited their choices for freedom and growth. I was also eager to engage in Transition Pathways to be able to offer comprehensive services in a way that does not pathologize the normal distress that occurs when individuals undergo life transitions.
2. How did you meet?
Sharyn - We both held positions that we thought would bring us to the height of our careers and put us in the position to empower and develop the people for whom we were responsible. We were both struggling with the constraints in implementing these goals within the realm of traditional academic and administrative positions.
In the context of my position, I invited Joan to present a program for Professional Development. In planning the program we realized we shared many common ideas and values for facilitating people’s personal and professional growth, beyond the typical definition of success. The similarity of our basic goals and the complementarity of our differing backgrounds in psychotherapy and coaching became increasingly apparent. Our interest in finding a viable way to work together, to bring our varying perspectives together, and to help people transform potentially derailing personal and professional transitions into growth opportunities led us to conceptualize Transition Pathways.
3. You both have academic backgrounds in medicine and health care. Do you primarily work with people in these fields?
Joan - No. We collaborate with clients with a wide variety of work backgrounds, at many different life stages, facing both personal and professional transitions. We do have a special understanding of the challenges faced by clients in academic and health care professions. Nonetheless, the principles underlying major transition transcend these specific circumstances. The focus of our programs is to facilitate life enhancing career and personal transitions for people in any circumstance.
4. How do you work with people?
Sharyn - Our process begins with an initial evaluation after which we design and recommend a program that addresses the unique goals and challenges of the prospective client (for more information detailing this process return to the homepage of this website).
5. How long do you work with people?
Joan - There is no standard timetable as each client’s program is uniquely designed to meet their individual needs and goals. However, a three month minimum is usually needed to lay a foundation for generating sustainable results. Part of the purpose of the initial evaluation is to develop a timeline for our work together.
Our process is flexible so if additional needs arise in an ongoing program we can restructure the program to accommodate them. Also, clients who have completed their program may return to address additional needs.
6. Why should I contract with Transition Pathways rather than see an individual psychotherapist, an individual coach or both?
Sharyn - For someone to emerge successfully from a major transition, they must have a strategy for action that takes into account their overall well being as well as a capacity to deal with significant psychological challenges and stress. Traditional psychiatry and coaching each have important tools to offer, but each, on a stand-alone basis, suffers from limitations. Psychiatric interventions can decrease stress; relieve symptoms such as anxiety and depression; enhance coping, and resolve unconscious blocks to progress. It has, however, left some people feeling pathologized, and it does not provide the concrete strategies for action that coaching provides.
Joan – Traditional coaching does provide strategies for action to negotiate difficult situations. It does not, however, utilize psychotherapeutic techniques and cannot, on a stand alone basis, address the critical psychological components of major transition. Depending on a client’s specific circumstances, combinations of psychological consultation, psychotherapy and medication can increase the client’s progress as well as their comfort. Coaches (even those trained as psychotherapists) cannot fully utilize these psychotherapeutic techniques in their role as coaches.
The advantages of Transition Pathways Programs are many. We seamlessly integrate psychiatric and coaching techniques so that the client can benefit fully from each of these disciplines. We are familiar with one another’s areas of expertise, experienced in collaborating and we are focused on an integrated plan formulated jointly with the client. The clients participating in these programs can achieve their desired outcomes more quickly, more comfortably and in the context of overall well being and balance.
7. Is it possible to have a telephone evaluation rather than coming to Boston?
Sharyn - No, in order to effectively access the client’s current status and obtain the type of information we need to create the most effective and synchronous program, an in-person evaluation must be conducted. Once an evaluation is complete, specific aspects of the comprehensive program can be conducted by telephone.
8. What is the cost of an initial evaluation?
Joan- The cost of the one-day initial evaluation is $1500.
9. What is the cost of a Transition Pathways program?
Sharyn - Since each Transition Pathways Program is designed to meet the unique needs of each client, a program cost can only be established after the initial evaluation, after which the program is defined and the individual time with Joan and with Sharyn is negotiated with the client. Joan and Sharyn each charge $200/hr for their services.
10. Do you take insurance payments or credit cards?
Joan and Sharyn - No
11. When is payment for the evaluation due, and is it refundable with cancellation?
Sharyn - A non-refundable evaluation fee of $1500 and a signed evaluation contract is due one week before evaluation.
12. How do I pay for the ongoing program after the evaluation is complete?
Joan - Payment is due at the beginning of each month for the services being provided during that month.
13. Are the fees deductible as health care or business expenses?
Sharyn - Individual circumstances dictate various responses to this. Please consult your tax advisor or preparer. We will provide receipts for all services.
14. What are the fees of the associated network professionals?
Joan - These are negotiated separately and paid directly to our professional consultant.
15. What are the frequency and length of the meetings?
Sharyn - Frequency depends on need. Clients experiencing challenging situations may require weekly meetings. A client who is moving along on a plan making progress may benefit most from monthly meetings. The need of the client for ongoing sessions is the "defining parameter of optimal frequency."
Meetings are generally one hour, but may on occasion and by mutual consent, extend to two hours.
16. What happens if my psychological needs become primary during any phase of the program?
Joan - Our basic program is structured to provide supportive professional consultation from Sharyn to address psychological issues common in transition. If the client’s psychological needs extend beyond the scope of this program at any point psychotherapy and/or medication may be indicated. In these instances we will help you clarify the issues that need to be addressed to be successful in your program with us. At this point you could either contract individually with Sharyn for this treatment or we could assist you in locating an appropriate clinician in your geographic area. We would also help you determine whether it would be optimal for you to either continue your work in our basic program or postpone it until your treatment has progressed.
17. Since your background reflects issues and treatment of women, do you work primarily with women?
Sharyn - We work with both men and women regarding issues that are specific to their situation. Our special sensitivity to gender issues and their impact on both men and women, allows us to recognize when they are relevant and when they are not. In some circumstances men and women share the same experience, in other circumstances their experiences may differ in a way that requires special attention.
18. In your mission statement you talk about the client’s "unique version of success" what does this mean?
Joan - One of the benefits of major transition is that it offers an opportunity to rethink and reshape all aspects of a person’s life. We speak of success as something that transcends traditional vocational success and extends to an overall balance and satisfaction in personal and professional life. Concepts of success may vary as a function of life stage and other circumstances.
For this reason we can work as well with a person making a major personal transition, such as leaving a long standing marriage as with someone dealing with a traditional career problem, such as undertaking a mid-career change or dealing with the challenge of a major setback in career goals.
19. Is there a commitment associated with the evaluation?
Sharyn - No. At the conclusion of the evaluation, a prospective client may or may not decide to work with us at that time.
20. Do you provide talks, consultations and other services to groups, organizations or programs?
Yes. If you are interested in exploring working with us in this context, please arrange to speak with Sharyn and Joan jointly to discuss the possibilities.
1. What made you, Joan as a basic scientist and you, Sharyn as psychiatrist decide to start "Transition Pathways?"
Sharyn - I have always liked to work outside the box and to synthesize ideas and information from different disciplines. My pediatric training left me uncomfortable with the tendency in psychiatry to focus on pathology rather than on normal development and on people’s strengths and their capacity for adaptation. Furthermore, serendipity led me into situations that promoted this "bridging" perspective. I have held many professional roles that required me to learn about career trajectories, the employment environment and its problems, work-family conflicts, and to integrate this knowledge with what I know about psychological stress and mental health.
Joan - I increasingly observed people pursuing success at the cost of fragmenting their lives and often losing track of what was fundamentally important to them. I began to ask, "Does the traditional model of success demand that we sacrifice everything for it?"
Sharyn - The elements of life balance, well being and family issues were not covered in the traditional medical training nor was it easy to raise these issues in the workplace without losing credibility.
Joan - In my coaching practice I encountered clients who could not benefit from coaching without addressing the underlying psychological issues or symptoms that limited their choices for freedom and growth. I was also eager to engage in Transition Pathways to be able to offer comprehensive services in a way that does not pathologize the normal distress that occurs when individuals undergo life transitions.
2. How did you meet?
Sharyn - We both held positions that we thought would bring us to the height of our careers and put us in the position to empower and develop the people for whom we were responsible. We were both struggling with the constraints in implementing these goals within the realm of traditional academic and administrative positions.
In the context of my position, I invited Joan to present a program for Professional Development. In planning the program we realized we shared many common ideas and values for facilitating people’s personal and professional growth, beyond the typical definition of success. The similarity of our basic goals and the complementarity of our differing backgrounds in psychotherapy and coaching became increasingly apparent. Our interest in finding a viable way to work together, to bring our varying perspectives together, and to help people transform potentially derailing personal and professional transitions into growth opportunities led us to conceptualize Transition Pathways.
3. You both have academic backgrounds in medicine and health care. Do you primarily work with people in these fields?
Joan - No. We collaborate with clients with a wide variety of work backgrounds, at many different life stages, facing both personal and professional transitions. We do have a special understanding of the challenges faced by clients in academic and health care professions. Nonetheless, the principles underlying major transition transcend these specific circumstances. The focus of our programs is to facilitate life enhancing career and personal transitions for people in any circumstance.
4. How do you work with people?
Sharyn - Our process begins with an initial evaluation after which we design and recommend a program that addresses the unique goals and challenges of the prospective client (for more information detailing this process return to the homepage of this website).
5. How long do you work with people?
Joan - There is no standard timetable as each client’s program is uniquely designed to meet their individual needs and goals. However, a three month minimum is usually needed to lay a foundation for generating sustainable results. Part of the purpose of the initial evaluation is to develop a timeline for our work together.
Our process is flexible so if additional needs arise in an ongoing program we can restructure the program to accommodate them. Also, clients who have completed their program may return to address additional needs.
6. Why should I contract with Transition Pathways rather than see an individual psychotherapist, an individual coach or both?
Sharyn - For someone to emerge successfully from a major transition, they must have a strategy for action that takes into account their overall well being as well as a capacity to deal with significant psychological challenges and stress. Traditional psychiatry and coaching each have important tools to offer, but each, on a stand-alone basis, suffers from limitations. Psychiatric interventions can decrease stress; relieve symptoms such as anxiety and depression; enhance coping, and resolve unconscious blocks to progress. It has, however, left some people feeling pathologized, and it does not provide the concrete strategies for action that coaching provides.
Joan – Traditional coaching does provide strategies for action to negotiate difficult situations. It does not, however, utilize psychotherapeutic techniques and cannot, on a stand alone basis, address the critical psychological components of major transition. Depending on a client’s specific circumstances, combinations of psychological consultation, psychotherapy and medication can increase the client’s progress as well as their comfort. Coaches (even those trained as psychotherapists) cannot fully utilize these psychotherapeutic techniques in their role as coaches.
The advantages of Transition Pathways Programs are many. We seamlessly integrate psychiatric and coaching techniques so that the client can benefit fully from each of these disciplines. We are familiar with one another’s areas of expertise, experienced in collaborating and we are focused on an integrated plan formulated jointly with the client. The clients participating in these programs can achieve their desired outcomes more quickly, more comfortably and in the context of overall well being and balance.
7. Is it possible to have a telephone evaluation rather than coming to Boston?
Sharyn - No, in order to effectively access the client’s current status and obtain the type of information we need to create the most effective and synchronous program, an in-person evaluation must be conducted. Once an evaluation is complete, specific aspects of the comprehensive program can be conducted by telephone.
8. What is the cost of an initial evaluation?
Joan- The cost of the one-day initial evaluation is $1500.
9. What is the cost of a Transition Pathways program?
Sharyn - Since each Transition Pathways Program is designed to meet the unique needs of each client, a program cost can only be established after the initial evaluation, after which the program is defined and the individual time with Joan and with Sharyn is negotiated with the client. Joan and Sharyn each charge $200/hr for their services.
10. Do you take insurance payments or credit cards?
Joan and Sharyn - No
11. When is payment for the evaluation due, and is it refundable with cancellation?
Sharyn - A non-refundable evaluation fee of $1500 and a signed evaluation contract is due one week before evaluation.
12. How do I pay for the ongoing program after the evaluation is complete?
Joan - Payment is due at the beginning of each month for the services being provided during that month.
13. Are the fees deductible as health care or business expenses?
Sharyn - Individual circumstances dictate various responses to this. Please consult your tax advisor or preparer. We will provide receipts for all services.
14. What are the fees of the associated network professionals?
Joan - These are negotiated separately and paid directly to our professional consultant.
15. What are the frequency and length of the meetings?
Sharyn - Frequency depends on need. Clients experiencing challenging situations may require weekly meetings. A client who is moving along on a plan making progress may benefit most from monthly meetings. The need of the client for ongoing sessions is the "defining parameter of optimal frequency."
Meetings are generally one hour, but may on occasion and by mutual consent, extend to two hours.
16. What happens if my psychological needs become primary during any phase of the program?
Joan - Our basic program is structured to provide supportive professional consultation from Sharyn to address psychological issues common in transition. If the client’s psychological needs extend beyond the scope of this program at any point psychotherapy and/or medication may be indicated. In these instances we will help you clarify the issues that need to be addressed to be successful in your program with us. At this point you could either contract individually with Sharyn for this treatment or we could assist you in locating an appropriate clinician in your geographic area. We would also help you determine whether it would be optimal for you to either continue your work in our basic program or postpone it until your treatment has progressed.
17. Since your background reflects issues and treatment of women, do you work primarily with women?
Sharyn - We work with both men and women regarding issues that are specific to their situation. Our special sensitivity to gender issues and their impact on both men and women, allows us to recognize when they are relevant and when they are not. In some circumstances men and women share the same experience, in other circumstances their experiences may differ in a way that requires special attention.
18. In your mission statement you talk about the client’s "unique version of success" what does this mean?
Joan - One of the benefits of major transition is that it offers an opportunity to rethink and reshape all aspects of a person’s life. We speak of success as something that transcends traditional vocational success and extends to an overall balance and satisfaction in personal and professional life. Concepts of success may vary as a function of life stage and other circumstances.
For this reason we can work as well with a person making a major personal transition, such as leaving a long standing marriage as with someone dealing with a traditional career problem, such as undertaking a mid-career change or dealing with the challenge of a major setback in career goals.
19. Is there a commitment associated with the evaluation?
Sharyn - No. At the conclusion of the evaluation, a prospective client may or may not decide to work with us at that time.
20. Do you provide talks, consultations and other services to groups, organizations or programs?
Yes. If you are interested in exploring working with us in this context, please arrange to speak with Sharyn and Joan jointly to discuss the possibilities.