Frequently Asked Questions

Life transition coaching is designed for seasons when something important and fundamental is shifting. You've built a life that looks fine on paper, but you're starting to realize you've outgrown it. Everything is manageable, maybe even good, but it no longer fits who you are becoming or the direction you want to go. Whether these transitions are chosen or unexpected, they are invitations to grow. 

That might include:

• Graduating or starting over
• Relationship changes
• Health-related changes
• Career transitions
• Empty nesting
• Caregiving roles
• Retirement

My approach as a clinically informed coach utilizes the TQ (Transitional Intelligence) framework to help you move from uncertainty to clarity. Life Transitions don’t just change your external circumstances—they reshape your identity, your routines, and your sense of direction. We look at both the practical and emotional sides of change to help you navigate the "in-between" with more steadiness, intention, and a clear sense of purpose.

Life is a series of transitions, and having a framework makes the process feel less disorienting. Transitional Intelligence, or TQ, gives you the language and a structure to help you understand how change works from the inside out. It is the process of developing your internal capacity to move through significant transitions with more awareness and less reactivity.

When life changes, it's common to feel the urge to rush for answers, or power through to the next thing. But transition unfold in stages and have a natural rhythm. By recognizing these stages, you can move through them with more intention. These skills are a lifelong investment, allowing you to navigate every future shift with greater self awareness and confidence throughout your entire life. 

In our work together, transitional intelligence helps you:

• Understand the stages of transition so you don’t feel lost in the process
• Name what feels stuck or confusing
• Build practical tools for coping and decision-making
• Develop more confidence while navigating uncertain seasons
• Use change as a pathway for personal growth

Working with an LICSW for coaching means you are working with a clinically informed coach who brings a sophisticated understanding of human behavior and systems. I have over 25 years of experience across diverse mental health settings—including hospitals, community mental health, and digital health platforms. I spent my career supporting people through their most complex life chapters.

That background matters because it allows me to quickly recognize patterns, understand stress responses, and create a space that feels thoughtful, grounded, and emotionally safe. While coaching with me is not counseling, my clinical foundation in resilience, emotional regulation and behavior change is both deeply attuned and practical. For many clients, this blend ensures that we aren’t just talking about goals, but navigating the real human emotions that come with reaching them.

My experience working with professionals in high-performance environments means I deeply understand the unique pace, demands, and complexity of these cultures. Commonly, the professionals I work with are navigating:

• Burnout and persistent exhaustion
• Imposter syndrome or perfectionism
• Leadership stress and organizational politics
• Work/Life Balance
• The feeling of being successful on the outside but disconnected on the inside

A significant benefit for my clients is that you do not have to spend half the session explaining the culture, community, and environment. I also understand that career decisions and pivots don't happen in a vacuum; they are shaped by workload, ambition, and personal identity.

I offer coaching that integrates the realities and stress of a high performance career with a clinically informed lens. We make sense of those pressures together, moving toward clarity and personal growth that is relevant, realistic, and sustainable. We can focus on what matters most: helping you reconnect with your values, your well-being, and your next purposeful step.

Yes. Retirement is one of the most significant identity transitions we face. It is far more than a financial milestone; it’s a profound shift in your daily rhythm, relationships, and sense of purpose.

During my time at Harvard University, I developed a curriculum and support group specifically for faculty and staff navigating early retirement. My approach is uniquely informed by my expertise in geriatric psychiatry, which provides a deep clinical understanding of the emotional and developmental shifts of later-life transitions. I also use the MEA (Modern Elder Academy) framework to help you reimagine meaning, and discover how you want to share your wisdom and continue to build your legacy.

Whether your retirement is long-awaited or feels unexpected and disorienting, we work together to cultivate a chapter that feels intentional and connected to who you are now—not just what you used to do.

While both therapists and coaches offer support, they are distinct in their training, approach, and focus. Because I am both a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and a TQ Certified Coach, it is essential that we choose the right framework for your needs to ensure you get the most effective support. This distinction allows us to be intentional about the path we take—whether your current season requires deep clinical healing or a strategic, future-focused partnership.

Life Transition Coaching is built for those seasons where you are experiencing mental and emotional stability but are facing a "threshold." It is future-focused, goal-oriented, and designed to help you move forward with purposeful action and accountability. Coaching does not treat mental health disorders or offer clinical interventions. Instead, I utilize a clinically informed approach to offer structured conversations, practical tools, psychoeducation and a strategic roadmap to guide you toward movement and empowerment.

Professional Counseling is clinical mental health treatment provided by a licensed mental health professional. It is designed to address mental health conditions that are affecting your daily functioning such as anxiety, depression, unmanaged stress, emotional pain, relationship struggles, or long-standing patterns that are affecting your well-being. Counseling focuses on understanding, healing, and resolving emotional trauma or pain carried from the past. As a licensed therapist, I provide clinical support, psychoeducation, and evidence-based interventions to help you address symptoms and find healing. Note: Counseling is a clinical service available only in MA, CT, NH, ME, VT, and DC.

In summary:

• Coaching: focuses on goals, strategic action, and what comes next.
• Counseling: focuses on symptom relief, clinical support, and healing from the past.

For a deeper dive into the distinctions, you can read more here:
🔗 Life Coach vs. Therapist: What's the Difference? – Zencare

Both can be incredibly valuable. The best service depends on what support you need at this season of your life.

While I am dually trained in both, these services have different scope and blending them can compromise the important boundaries that are essential for your care. For this reason, I don’t offer both services to the same person at the same time to ensure the highest standard of care and the integrity of your process.

If we begin in a coaching relationship, we stay within that framework and scope of practice. And if, during coaching, it becomes clear that clinical counseling is needed, I will support you in finding a qualified therapist to address those needs.

If we begin in a counseling relationship, we stay focused on your clinical mental health goals. If we have reached those goals and completed a course of counseling, we can discuss ending the counseling relationship and transition into a coaching relationship with a new scope of work.

What stays the same regardless of the service is the depth of my expertise. My coaching is uniquely clinically informed by my 25+ years as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). You aren't getting a surface level approach; you’re getting an emotionally attuned, research-backed approach grounded in decades of helping people navigate complex change.

It depends on the service you're looking for!

• For Coaching: I work with clients globally.
• For Counseling: Counseling is a clinical mental health service and is regulated by professional licensing boards. To comply with these regulations, I can provide counseling services to clients who are physically located in the following states at the time of our sessions:
  • Massachusetts (MA)
  • Connecticut (CT)
  • New Hampshire (NH)
  • Maine (ME)
  • Vermont (VT)
  • District of Columbia (DC)

Regardless of the service, all sessions are conducted via a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, allowing us to connect from the comfort and privacy of your own space.

I do not accept insurance. All services are private pay, which allows me to offer personalized, flexible care fully focused on your needs without insurance limitations. This means:

• No mental health diagnosis is required to start
• Your treatment information remains confidential with no third-party access
• Your care is guided by your goals, not insurance rules
• Payment is simple, transparent, and predictable

If you have a PPO plan with out-of-network mental health benefits, you might be able to get reimbursed for sessions. I can provide a superbill (a detailed receipt) for you to submit to your insurance company or FSA/HSA.

If you choose to submit a superbill, please keep in mind:

• A mental health diagnosis is required
• Insurance may request access to your treatment records
• Reimbursement isn’t guaranteed

Before starting, it can be helpful to call your insurance provider and ask:

• Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
• What percentage do they cover?
• What’s my deductible, and how much have I met?
• How do I submit claims?
• What are the rates for CPT codes 90791 ( initial evaluation) and 90834 (45 minutes)?
• Is pre-authorization needed?

Good Faith Estimate: By law, if you choose not to use your health insurance and opt to pay for therapy services out of pocket, you are entitled to a Good Faith Estimate of medical costs under the No Surprises Act. Click here for more information.

I accept Zelle, Venmo, and secure credit card payments using Ivy Pay. Cash and personal checks are accepted for in-person sessions.

Counseling services are generally eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement. I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your provider.

Payments are due at the time of each scheduled appointment.

Sessions are offered through a secure HIPAA- compliant video platform. This allows for consistent, flexible support whether you are seeking life transition coaching, or professional counseling. If you are interested in having in-person sessions, please email me at info@alicekimlicsw.com so we can discuss options and availability.

When we schedule a session, that time is set aside exclusively for you. This is a mutual commitment that honors both our time and the important work we’re doing together. I maintain a limited number of clients to ensure you get the high-level, clinically informed focus you deserve. Providing at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations allows me the opportunity to offer that time to another client who may be waiting for support.

If you cannot make your appointment for any reason, please make sure to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before our scheduled meeting. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance or miss your appointment, you will be charged a $150 late cancellation/ no-show fee.

Choosing the right support is a big step, and I want you to feel comfortable in your choice. I value transparency and aim to provide as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision. To get a sense of my style and approach, I invite you to explore my website and blog. Once you’ve had a chance to explore those, feel free to reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss any remaining questions and see if we’re a good match.