From:  United States
Graduated:  2009
Website:  Self Development Coach Nicki McClusky

Being a life-long learner, I found myself looking for something to add to my professional world that would uplift both me and my clients; I’d been practicing as a depth psychotherapist and voice coach for 30 years, and I found my soul longing and looking for more.  As the gods would have it, along came a brochure in the mail for a training day:  “Therapist as Life Coach.”  This workshop changed everything.  I searched for a coaching school, found a great coach, Karen Cappello, and immediately became energized by the coaching process as it permeated my entire life.  I particularly love(d) the focus on:

• strength-based living
• celebrating successes and wins
• shifting mindsets to that which is positive and possible
• the new world of growth through being acknowledged rather than criticized
• support to become an exceptional coach
• encouragement to finish a book I’d been writing—”You Have A Self”
• learning tons of new things—especially how to empower and inspire others to their greatness
• applying what I already knew about human beings and spirituality to working as a coach
• how my soul is deeply joyful when coaching others to enrich their own lives (which includes everyone I come in contact with)

I found myself coaching myself to “spiff up” every area of my life—my home, finances, friendships, work environments, “bucket list”, and the pursuit of a coaching degree.  I also became a leader of two naitonal volunteer efforts—one for the Katrina crisis (“Adopt A Person”) and one for the Haiti earthquake (with Soles for Souls), “coaching” others to put their best foot forward through example and participation.  (See “volunteerism” at http://www.nickimcclusky.com)  When a person lives and breathes coaching, we become inspired to assist others when they are functioning well and when they have particular needs.

How are you using coaching to make a difference?:

All of my efforts truly come under the umbrella of “Self Development Coaching,” including being a “Self Mastery Coach for Coaches.” I am a prolific writer and photographer; I combine these two gifts to create books/products to support and inspire others to become their absolute best. Giving teleseminars on voice coaching inspired me to create a home-study course as well; I serve clients in group coaching and individual sessions regarding development of the voice and the self. One of my greatest “successes” has been to help launch coaches into their magnificence: Nick Bosk, (wellness coaching and learning leader) Emily Horak, (celebrations and spirituality) and Nelda Choate (marketing and business) are terrific examples of coaches (I’ve supported and influenced) who are soaring in their coaching niches, manifesting their personal and professional dreams full tilt!

What was the most valuable thing you learned at ICA?:

I transferred into ICA mid-stream in my coach training. After receiving a good foundation at the ILCT for therapists becoming coaches, I wrote a study guide for coaches and took several marketing classes from various individuals. I continued with my coach and learned about ICA and their amazing positive support of their students: this is the hallmark of ICA—amazing, powerful and positive support while learning how to coach—and why I chose ICA. I purposely stayed in the learning community a full 3 years to soak in the love, care and ease/flexibility of learning offered in this community. It was truly magnificent! The most amazing thing that happened while at ICA was that I not only increased my skill as a coach—I learned what an exceptional coach I had become and was becoming: I had no idea about this until I got feedback from peers and trainers at ICA. It inspired me to learn even more and to become an even better coach so I could serve my clients tremendously and become a coach leader in the field. My experience at ICA greatly affected my work as a therapist; I was able to use many things from the coaching world—such as acknowledgment-based learning, encouragement, strengths focus, etc.—in my work with therapy patients. I also served on a board of Missouri Social Workers, and launched a postive-focused group there as well. I’ve given three workshops to this group on coaching and marketing as well. The impact of being at ICA has been enormous in my life. I am a far happier person, a more joyful, postive-focused woman, a better friend, more loving family member/leader, and a versatile author. From my work with Alan Seale, Sheri Boone, Karen Cappello, Isabelle King, Bill Turpin, and Joanne Waldman, I have emerged as a spiritually based self development/self mastery coach with valuable things to give and enjoy—for the rest of my life. The love, encouragement, kindness and support received through ICA is worth its weight in gold! It is my pleasure to give back a bit through the extended “buddy program,” helping coaches complete their work in order to graduate.