Life coaching & Career Coaching
Clarity, Direction, and Growth—Wherever You Are in the World
Support for personal growth, career direction, and meaningful change — without the need for a mental health diagnosis.
Many people are not looking for therapy. They are looking for clarity, confidence, direction, and support as they navigate life transitions, career decisions, leadership challenges, relationship patterns, or personal growth goals.
Life coaching offers a private, collaborative space to focus on where you are now, where you want to go, and what may be getting in the way.
With more than 33 years as a master’s-level clinical psychology educator at Pepperdine University, along with my background as a licensed therapist, former life coach, and former National Director of Sales and Marketing in the proprietary school industry, I bring a unique blend of psychological insight, practical strategy, and real-world business experience to my coaching work.
Coaching May Be a Good Fit If You Want Help With:
- Life transitions and personal growth
- Career direction or career change
- Leadership and workplace challenges
- Communication and confidence
- Stress, balance, and decision-making
- Relationship patterns and personal insight
- Motivation, accountability, and goal-setting
- Navigating professional or corporate environments
Coaching vs. Therapy
Therapy often focuses on mental health concerns, emotional distress, diagnosis, and treatment. Coaching is different. It is future-focused, goal-oriented, and designed for people who want support, strategy, and insight without entering into a therapy relationship.
Many clients choose coaching because they value privacy, do not want a diagnosis, or live outside California and are seeking personal or professional guidance rather than psychotherapy.
Career Coaching
As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, I have specialized training that includes career counseling. In addition to my clinical and academic background, I have firsthand experience in sales, marketing, management, leadership, and the corporate/business world.
This allows me to support clients not only psychologically, but also practically — helping them better understand workplace dynamics, professional identity, career transitions, leadership style, and the challenges of navigating complex organizations.
A Unique Coaching Perspective
My approach integrates:
- Clinical psychology knowledge
- Decades of teaching and mentoring graduate students
- Business, sales, and marketing leadership experience
- Career counseling expertise
- Practical coaching strategies
- Compassionate, direct, and personalized support
Coaching is not about labeling you. It is about helping you better understand yourself, make thoughtful decisions, and move toward a life and career that feel more authentic and fulfilling.
Available Nationwide
Because coaching is not psychotherapy, I am able to work with coaching clients outside California. Sessions are offered virtually, making coaching accessible wherever you are located.
Begin Coaching
If you are interested in life coaching, career coaching, or professional consultation, I welcome you to reach out to schedule an initial conversation.
You do not need a diagnosis to seek support. You only need a desire for growth, clarity, and meaningful change.
Meet Your Life Coach
Kathleen Wenger, M.A., LMFT, LPCC
Kay Wenger brings over 30 years of clinical and coaching experience to every session. As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, and Co-Founder of the National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists, she combines deep emotional insight with practical, forward-looking guidance.
Kay spent 25 years at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology training the next generation of therapists. That background shapes how she works: she asks good questions, she listens carefully, and she helps people move from stuck to clear.
Whether you're navigating a life transition, a relationship crossroads, or simply a moment where you know something needs to change, Kay meets you where you are.
Your Life Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All—Your Coaching Shouldn’t Be Either
Individual Life Coaching
One-on-one coaching sessions focused entirely on your goals, challenges, and direction. These sessions help you clarify what you want, identify what’s holding you back, and take actionable steps toward meaningful change.
Virtual Coaching—Available Worldwide
All coaching sessions are offered virtually, allowing you to work with our team from anywhere in the world. This flexibility makes it easy to stay consistent and supported, no matter your location or schedule.
Life Coaching Helps You Move Forward—with Clarity and Confidence
Life coaching isn’t just about insight—it’s about movement. Through this process, you’ll begin to feel more grounded, more decisive, and more connected to the direction you're heading. Through coaching, you can:
Understand what you actually want—and what’s been getting in the way.
Move forward without second-guessing every step.
Identify cycles that keep you stuck and replace them with intentional action.
Create real progress in areas that have felt stagnant or unclear.
What to Expect During Life Coaching
Session Structure
Sessions are structured but flexible, designed to keep you focused, accountable, and moving forward. Each session builds on the last, helping you create consistent progress over time.
A Collaborative Process
Coaching is not passive—you’ll actively engage in setting goals, reflecting, and taking action between sessions. We guide, challenge, and support you throughout the process.
Fully Virtual, Globally Accessible
All coaching sessions are conducted via secure video, making it easy to work with us from anywhere in the world—without the limitations of state-based therapy licensing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Life Coaching
What's the difference between life coaching and therapy?
Both coaching and therapy involve supportive conversations that help you grow, but they serve different purposes.
Therapy focuses on mental health, emotional healing, and psychological concerns. It can involve processing past experiences, working through symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma, and improving emotional well-being.
Life coaching focuses on the present and the future. It helps you set goals, build action plans, work through obstacles, and reach the outcomes you're after. Rather than treating mental health concerns, coaching is about helping you make the most of your potential and create real change.
As a licensed therapist and coach, I understand both approaches — and I can help you figure out which one fits where you are right now.
How do I know which one I need?
A simple way to think about it:
- If you're mainly looking to heal emotional wounds, manage mental health symptoms, process something difficult, or improve your psychological well-being — therapy is likely the better fit.
- If you're feeling emotionally steady but want support reaching goals, making decisions, staying accountable, or creating positive change — coaching may be the right call.
Because I'm both a licensed therapist and a coach, we can sort this out together during a consultation, and I'll recommend whichever will support you best.
How is your coaching different from other life coaches?
My coaching is informed by years of professional training in counseling, psychology, human behavior, and relationships.
As a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), I bring a deeper understanding of the emotional, relational, and behavioral factors that shape personal growth and goal achievement.
Coaching stays distinct from therapy — but my clinical background means I can recognize patterns, help you reach meaningful insight, and support lasting change in a way that's both practical and psychologically grounded.
When does coaching transition into therapy?
Sometimes a coaching conversation surfaces something better addressed through therapy — significant anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship distress, for example.
If that happens, we'll talk about whether therapy is the more appropriate path. Because I'm licensed to provide both, I can explain the difference clearly and help you decide how to move forward.
Keeping a clear boundary between coaching and therapy matters — it's how I make sure you're getting the right kind of support.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is about getting to know you and understanding what you want to achieve. We'll talk through:
- Your goals and priorities
- The challenges and obstacles in front of you
- What's already working well in your life
- Where you'd like support and accountability
- What success would actually look like for you
Together, we'll find a direction and start shaping a plan. Most people leave the first session with more clarity and a few practical next steps they can put into motion right away.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on your goals, how complex the challenges are, and the pace you'd like to work at.
Some clients want a short-term process focused on one specific goal. Others choose ongoing coaching for continued growth, accountability, and support. In our first few sessions, we'll talk through your objectives and build a plan that fits.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes — I respect your privacy and keep coaching conversations confidential.
It's worth understanding, though, that life coaching isn't psychotherapy, and coaching isn't covered by the same legal confidentiality protections that apply to therapy. I take privacy seriously, and I go over my policies, the limits, and what to expect with every coaching client before we begin.
Do I have to be in California to work with you?
For coaching, no. Coaching is generally available no matter where you live, as long as coaching is permitted in your location and we agree it's the right fit. Because coaching isn't psychotherapy, I can often work with coaching clients outside California.
Therapy is different — licensing laws require you to be located in California at the time of your therapy sessions.
If you're not sure which one fits your situation, I'm glad to talk it through in a consultation.
Still have questions?
I welcome them. If you're unsure whether coaching or therapy is the better fit for your goals, schedule a consultation and we'll talk through your needs and the options available to support you.
GET STARTED TODAY
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