Helping those in midlife invest in their physical health the way that
they’ve invested in many other domains for decades. You likely have
heard experts speak about the importance that sleep, nutrition,
movement, self-reflection, rest, play and community have on
longevity and health-span, but you may want help implementing
those recommendations in one or more areas. I can help you translate
the science to practice, and am in fact uniquely trained to do so given
my background in clinical psychology.
Bend the arc of your life towards vitality, wisdom, connection and wholeness.
I’m interested!
"How to Demote Your Phone"
Many of us feel addicted to our phones yet unwilling to live without them. We often feel overwhelmed by the thought of reshaping our use.
Individual or Small Group Workshop
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"How to Demote Your Phone"
Many of us feel addicted to our phones yet unwilling to live without them. We often feel overwhelmed by the thought of reshaping our use.
Individual or Small Group Workshop
Learn More
This 4-6 session workshop is based on journalist Catherine Price’s book, “How to Break Up with Your Phone” and Georgetown professor Cal Newport’s writing about the relationship between technology and wellbeing.
“Demoting Your Phone” involves understanding the neuroscience involved in addiction; a structured period of significantly reduced use and reflection; and an intentional opting back in that aligns with your values.
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Custom Bookclub
Research suggests that rates of book reading are on the decline; however, we know that reading books helps to keep our cognition sharp and our fund of knowledge ever-expanding. In Custom Book Club, you can choose from a selection of books about habits, character and strengths, relationships, food, movement, and wisdom practices.
Book Club
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Custom Bookclub
Research suggests that rates of book reading are on the decline; however, we know that reading books helps to keep our cognition sharp and our fund of knowledge ever-expanding. In Custom Book Club, you can choose from a selection of books about habits, character and strengths, relationships, food, movement, and wisdom practices.
Book Club
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Prior selections have included Dr. Uma Naidoo’s “This is Your Brain on Food,” Arthur Brooks’ “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life,” and Jonathan Rauch’s “The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50.”
Over a timeframe that works for you, we will discuss the book you’ve chosen in light of its relevance and applicability to your life.
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Field trip as indicated: grocery shopping and walking together are most common
6
Tracking and evaluating progress using self-selected benchmarks
5
Co-creating a plan for how to move you towards your wellness vision, including identifying and removing obstacles, and designing helpful practices and habits you actually want to do.
4
Mapping your relevant history and strengths, identifying root causes of stuckness, and sketching your wellness vision
3
Orientation to our coaching agreement
2
Initial consultation to determine what you’re looking for and if I’m a proper “fit” for you
1
1:1 Health Coaching
I currently offer 1:1 coaching for New York state-based clients* which typically involves the following steps:
Supporting you with compassion, encouragement, and resources as you implement your personalized change plan
7
How often we are in contact will be determined in our initial consultation and planning conversation. Typically clients commit to 12 30-minute coaching sessions spread over 3 months and can opt to add more frequent contact in the form of video messaging.
For some, 3 months is ample time to identify an ideal vision of wellness, to begin removing obstacles to that vision, and to take action to establish small and mighty changes. Some folks are good to fly solo from there, whereas others prefer more extended support to help solidify promising habits or unwind other unwanted lifestyle behaviors.
Our collaboration is designed to be time-limited, goal-oriented and collaborative. And fun. Did I mention fun? Change can be both daunting, thrilling, and playful.
Therapy vs.
Health Coaching
Traditional
Psychotherapy
Health
Coaching
Traditional psychotherapy is often informed by a medical model, meaning that a clinician evaluates and diagnoses a client, and then works with the client to reduce symptoms and enhance functioning. Providers of therapy include social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, all of whom have usually sought years of training and specialization, such that they can provide services considered a medical necessity. Typical reasons for someone seeking psychotherapy include interference of particular emotions or thought patterns in daily life, major life transitions including becoming a parent or undergoing a divorce, and problematic behavior loops including substance abuse and eating disorders.
Health Coaching, in contrast, is a much newer field in which coaches help clients advance healthy lifestyle behavior change. This is accomplished through a focus on clients’ strengths, enhancing their motivation to change, designing realistic and attainable goals, creating channels for accountability, and providing resources and information when requested by clients. Health coaches act as behavior change specialists and champions of their clients rather than experts who diagnose and “treat” them. Health coaching clients are empowered to heal and change themselves with the guidance of their coach.
Clients who seek health coaching with me understand that I will not be diagnosing and treating them as a therapy client; if it becomes apparent during our coaching work that a client would likely benefit from therapy, I will make that recommendation to an adjunctive provider. Given legal and ethical considerations, I am not able to mix my services and strive to adhere to the scope of my practice as a health coach. At the same time, given my years of experience as a psychologist, I am able to help my coaching clients work more efficiently and effectively: I understand how people become trapped in unworkable patterns, and how to help them un-stick themselves.
“I am deeply grateful for the time I spent with Sameena in conversation about my health and overall wellness. She is patient, understanding, supportive and also action oriented -- offering thoughtful and personal suggestions on ways I could approach my health and wellness from new angles. I appreciate that Sameena understands that wellness looks different for everyone. She helped me to see paths I wasn't able to see on my own and I find I am able to make decisions from a more informed and self compassionate place. If you're looking for a space to talk, reflect, and design your personal wellness journey, Roots and Branches Health Coaching is a wonderful place to begin.”
- Client SH
“Without sounding dramatic, I’m reflecting on where I am now versus a few months ago, and Sameena has been an invaluable and irreplaceable part in the humongous, ongoing process of (saving) building the new me. She is and was incredibly patient and supportive, while also being constructive and invariably motivating in ways that even when I was at my weakest, I could cling to and find my strength. I am returning toward confidence, and starting to believe in myself again, which I own, but know I would not have gotten here without Sameena. I will forever be grateful for the time and effort she gave me.”
- Client NH
“Without sounding dramatic, I’m reflecting on where I am now versus a few months ago, and Sameena has been an invaluable and irreplaceable part in the humongous, ongoing process of (saving) building the new me. She is and was incredibly patient and supportive, while also being constructive and invariably motivating in ways that even when I was at my weakest, I could cling to and find my strength. I am returning toward confidence, and starting to believe in myself again, which I own, but know I would not have gotten here without Sameena. I will forever be grateful for the time and effort she gave me.”
- Client NH