Everything you need to know before your first session — from what coaching actually is, to pricing, to what to expect.
Life coaching is a structured partnership between you and a coach focused on moving you forward — not analyzing the past, but building toward where you want to be. A coach asks powerful questions, holds you accountable to your commitments, and helps you see blind spots you can't see yourself.
Unlike consulting (where someone gives you advice), or therapy (which digs into history and trauma), coaching is action-oriented. You set goals. You make commitments. Your coach makes sure you follow through.
At Theta Life Coaching, the work is rooted in purpose — helping you identify what truly matters to you, then building a plan that moves you in that direction every single week. If you're feeling stuck, off-course, or just ready for something more, coaching is how you get there. Learn more about the coaching approach →
This comes up a lot, and it's worth being clear.
Therapy is clinical. It's focused on healing — unpacking past trauma, processing emotions, diagnosing conditions. Therapists work on what happened. You need a therapist when something is broken.
Coaching is developmental. It's focused on building — setting goals, making decisions, developing new habits, creating momentum. Coaches work on what happens next. You need a coach when something isn't moving.
You can absolutely do both simultaneously. Many clients work with a therapist for their mental health and a coach for their direction and accountability. They're complementary, not competing.
If you're looking to move forward, hit goals, and build momentum — that's coaching. See the full coaching philosophy →
A standard coaching session at Theta Life Coaching runs 60 minutes. The first session is also 60 minutes — but focused on understanding your current situation, what you want to change, and what a successful outcome looks like for you.
After that, every session follows a similar structure: check-in on the previous week's commitments, deep dive into the current topic, identify new actions, and set new commitments. Jonathan runs sessions both in-person (Largo, FL) and virtually via video call — same structure, same energy.
Some clients book a 30-minute intensive for a specific issue. That's available on request. Book a consultation →
That depends entirely on your goals.
If you're looking to solve one specific problem — a career pivot, a relationship decision, a clarity issue — you might see significant progress in 4-6 sessions.
If you're looking for ongoing accountability and personal development, many clients work with Jonathan for 6-12 months. The deeper work takes time. New habits, new mindsets, new direction — this doesn't happen in a month.
The recommendation is to start with 4 sessions and see how you feel. Most clients extend beyond that because they're seeing results. More on what to expect in your first session →
Your first session is all about understanding — Jonathan learning about you, your situation, and what you're trying to accomplish. Think of it like a focused conversation, not an interrogation.
You'll cover:
- Where you are right now — what's working, what's not
- What you want to change or create
- What you've already tried (and why it didn't work)
- What a successful outcome looks like for you
- How you know if coaching is working
Jonathan will ask hard questions, reflect back what he hears, and give you an honest take on whether the work together makes sense. If it's not the right fit, he'll tell you that too.
Come ready to be honest. The more real you are, the faster progress happens. Read the full guide on preparing for your first session →
Honest answer: it depends on what you do with it.
Coaching gives you structure, accountability, and an outside perspective that most people don't have in their daily lives. If you're the kind of person who sets goals and never follows through — or who keeps making the same decision over and over without moving — coaching addresses that directly.
The clients who see the biggest results are the ones who come ready to do the work. They're honest in sessions. They do the assignments between sessions. They follow through on commitments.
What coaching won't do is make decisions for you. You still have to show up and do the work. But if you're ready for that, the ROI can be significant — career clarity, better relationships, financial progress, personal confidence.
If you've been spinning your wheels for months or years, a few sessions with the right coach can accelerate what you'd get from years of figuring it out alone. Explore the life coaching program →
Life coaching rates in the Tampa Bay area vary widely. You'll find coaches at every price point — from $50/session to $500+/session.
At Theta Life Coaching, sessions are priced at $150 per session for individual coaching. The consultation (your first session) is $25 — a low-stakes entry point to see if the fit is right.
Most clients invest in a package of 4 sessions at a time for consistency and deeper work. Jonathan doesn't push long-term contracts — you decide after each package whether you want to continue.
Virtual sessions are priced the same as in-person. Whether you're in Largo, Tampa, St. Pete, or anywhere else, the work is the same. See all service options and pricing →
It depends on what you mean by "help."
If your relationship is struggling due to communication problems, unmet expectations, or lack of direction — coaching can absolutely help. Jonathan works with individuals and couples on relationship dynamics, communication patterns, and partnership goals.
The key distinction: coaching for relationships isn't couples therapy. Therapy is clinical and focuses on healing wounds. Coaching is forward-focused and action-oriented. For many couples, coaching helps them get on the same page about what they want their relationship to look like going forward.
If you're looking to improve communication, get aligned on life goals, or work through a specific challenge together — relationship coaching is a strong option. See the relationship coaching program →
Yes. Virtual sessions are a core part of the practice.
Whether you're in Largo, Tampa, Clearwater, or across the country, you can work with Jonathan via video call (Zoom or equivalent). The structure and energy of a virtual session mirrors an in-person session — same preparation, same depth, same accountability.
Virtual clients often appreciate the flexibility — no commute, sessions from wherever you are, easy to fit into a workday. Many clients do a mix of virtual and in-person depending on their schedule.
If you're booking a session, just note in the form that you prefer virtual — it's simple to arrange. Learn more and book a virtual session →
Most coaching focuses on what you want to do. Purpose-driven coaching starts with why you want to do it.
Jonathan's approach is built on a simple premise: clarity about your purpose creates unstoppable momentum. When you know why you're doing something — what it connects to, what it serves — the how becomes much easier.
The work involves:
- Identifying what matters most to you (not what you think should matter)
- Building goals that serve that purpose, not just that look good
- Developing the identity and habits of the person who already lives that purpose
- Measuring progress by alignment, not just achievement
This isn't abstract or woo-woo. It's practical. Every goal is connected to something real. Every action is checked against whether it actually moves you in the direction you want to go.
If you've been chasing goals that don't feel meaningful, this approach is for you. Read about Jonathan's coaching philosophy →
Ready to get started?
Book a $25 consultation — your first session, no commitment, no pressure. See if coaching is the right fit for you.