Frequently Asked Questions

What is Neuroplastic Pathways?

  • Neuroplastic Pathways is a neurodivergent-affirming life coaching practice that supports individuals in building awareness, capacity, and sustainable ways of living.

    This work is grounded in the understanding that change does not come from pressure or “fixing,” but from working with your nervous system, your patterns, and your lived experience.

    Coaching at Neuroplastic Pathways is:

    • Client-led and non-directive

    • Focused on capacity, not productivity

    • Rooted in respect for autonomy and individuality

    • Designed to support sustainable, real-life change

    Rather than offering advice or one-size-fits-all solutions, this space is built to help you understand yourself more deeply and develop approaches that genuinely work for you.

  • This work emphasizes:

    • Client-led, non-directive coaching

    • Capacity over productivity

    • Nervous system awareness and regulation

    • Sustainable, individualized approaches

    • Respect for autonomy, identity, and lived experience

    This is not about pushing harder—it’s about building a way of living that actually works for you.

  • The name reflects the brain’s ability to adapt, learn, and change over time.

    This work is not about forcing transformation, but about creating the conditions where new patterns, awareness, and ways of living can emerge in a sustainable way.

  • Neuroplastic Pathways is being built with the intention of becoming more than a coaching service.

    The long-term vision includes:

    • Expanding access to neurodivergent-affirming, clinical and non-clinical support

    • Developing educational resources for individuals, families, and professionals

    • Collaborating with clinicians and researchers to bridge gaps in care

    • Supporting individuals with complex presentations (e.g., FND, burnout, dysautonomia) in ways that are respectful and empowering

    At its core, the vision is to contribute to a world where neurodivergent individuals are understood, supported, and able to build lives that genuinely work for them.

  • Yes.

    This space is grounded in respect for neurodivergent ways of thinking, processing, and existing. The goal is not to “fix” you, but to support you in understanding and working with your brain and nervous system.

Is This a Good Fit for Me?

  • Neuroplastic Pathways serves individuals, groups, and organizations seeking a neurodiversity‑affirming, trauma‑informed understanding of human regulation, learning, and change.

    We primarily support neurodivergent adults (including ADHD, autism, OCD, trauma‑affected nervous systems, and functional neurological symptoms) through non‑clinical coaching and education. We also collaborate with educators, professionals, researchers, and community partners interested in ethical, nervous‑system‑aware frameworks.

    Eligibility, scope, and safeguards are clearly defined for each program or offering.

  • Coaching may be a good fit if you:

    • Are open to self-reflection and exploration

    • Want a collaborative (not directive) approach

    • Are looking to build awareness, capacity, and sustainable change

    • Are able to take ownership of your goals and actions

    Coaching may not be the best fit if you:

    • Are seeking diagnosis, treatment, or clinical care

    • Want advice, problem-solving, or someone to “fix” things for you

    • Are in immediate crisis or need a higher level of support

    If you’re unsure, the Discovery Consultation is a space to explore that together.

  • That’s okay.

    You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin. If something about this work resonates, the Discovery Consultation is simply a place to explore—without commitment or pressure.

  • Clients often come to coaching for support with:

    • Nervous system regulation and recognizing overwhelm

    • Executive functioning and sustainable planning

    • Autistic burnout and capacity rebuilding

    • Life transitions (college, independence, identity shifts)

    • Building routines that actually work for their brain and body

    • Understanding their needs, limits, and patterns

    This work is always guided by you—your goals, your pace, and your lived experience.

  • We work with neurodivergent individuals, including those who identify with ADHD, autism, and related experiences.

    We also support individuals navigating chronic and functional conditions such as FND, dysautonomia, and burnout from a non-clinical, coaching-based perspective.

    Coaching does not replace medical or mental health care.

  • FND is approached as a real, involuntary nervous system condition best understood through neuroplasticity and regulation frameworks. Coaching remains non‑clinical and does not replace medical or rehabilitative treatment.

Understanding Coaching

  • Coaching is a collaborative, client-led process that supports awareness, capacity, and intentional change.

    Unlike therapy, coaching does not diagnose, treat, or process past trauma. Instead, we focus on your present experience, your goals, and what feels sustainable and aligned for you moving forward.

    You are the expert on your life. The coach’s role is to support your thinking, reflect patterns, and help you build what works for you.

  • No.

    Neuroplastic Pathways currently provides non-clinical life coaching only. Coaching is not therapy, medical care, or healthcare.

    Services do not include:

    • Diagnosis or treatment of mental health or medical conditions

    • Trauma processing or psychotherapy

    • Medical advice or clinical intervention

    Coaching can exist alongside therapy and medical care, but it is not a substitute for either. Clients are encouraged to maintain appropriate clinical support when needed.

  • Life coaching is a collaborative, client-led process that supports individuals in developing awareness, making intentional choices, and creating meaningful change.

    ADHD-informed coaching recognizes that:

    • Executive functioning differences are real—not a lack of effort

    • Motivation, attention, and follow-through are influenced by nervous system state

    • Sustainable strategies must be individualized, flexible, and realistic

    Rather than trying to “fix” behavior, ADHD-informed coaching focuses on:

    • Working with your brain, not against it

    • Building systems that match your capacity

    • Supporting consistency through understanding—not pressure

  • No.

    This work is rooted in the belief that you are already resourceful and capable. Rather than giving advice, coaches ask thoughtful questions, reflect what they are hearing, and help you access your own clarity.

    If you’re looking for direct instruction, treatment, or step-by-step guidance, coaching may not be the right fit.

  • The coach’s role is to support your thinking, reflect patterns, and hold a space that allows for clarity and intentional change.

    Coaches do not:

    • Provide advice or instruction

    • Make decisions for you

    • Act as a therapist, mentor, or authority figure

    This is a collaborative process where you remain in full ownership of your choices and direction.

  • The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a globally recognized organization that sets ethical standards and core competencies for professional coaching.

    ICF-aligned coaching emphasizes:

    • Client autonomy and self-determination

    • Non-directive, collaborative partnership

    • Ethical practice and clear boundaries

    • Confidentiality and professionalism

    Neuroplastic Pathways is grounded in these principles to ensure coaching remains respectful, ethical, and client-centered.

What Sessions Feel Like

  • Sessions are guided by you.

    A typical session may include:

    • Exploring what feels most present or important

    • Identifying patterns, barriers, or internal conflicts

    • Clarifying goals or next steps

    • Reflecting on what is working—and what isn’t

    The coach may ask questions, reflect observations, or offer frameworks to support your thinking— coaches do not direct, prescribe, or override your choices.

    The pace, depth, and direction of each session are shaped by your needs in that moment.

  • That’s completely okay.

    You don’t need to prepare anything in advance. Sessions can start with whatever feels most present—even if that’s uncertainty, overwhelm, or not knowing where to begin.

    Part of the process is learning how to access clarity from wherever you are.

  • The length of coaching varies depending on your goals, capacity, and preferences.

    Some clients engage in coaching for a short-term focus, while others choose ongoing support over several months.

    Coaching is not designed as a quick fix. It is a process of building awareness, capacity, and sustainable change over time.

  • Coaching does not offer guaranteed outcomes.

    What many clients experience is:

    • Increased self-awareness and clarity

    • Greater understanding of their patterns and needs

    • Improved ability to work with their capacity and nervous system

    • More sustainable approaches to daily life

    The specific outcomes will depend on your goals, engagement, and individual context.

The Coaching Process

  • The Discovery Consultation is a free 20-minute conversation where we:

    • Talk about what’s bringing you to coaching

    • Clarify what coaching is (and isn’t)

    • Explore whether this approach feels supportive for you

    • Determine mutual fit

    There’s no pressure to move forward—this is simply a space to get a feel for the work.

  • The Clarity Session is a 90-minute strategy and planning session that takes place before ongoing coaching.

    In this session, we:

    • Explore your current context, strengths, and challenges

    • Identify goals for our work together

    • Clarify your needs, preferences, and values

    • Establish a foundation for sustainable, client-led coaching

    This ensures that ongoing sessions are focused, intentional, and aligned with you.

  • Meeting frequency depends on the service or package you choose:

    Touchstone Sessions: A single 30-minute session scheduled as needed

    Sprout: Two 60-minute coaching sessions across one month

    Root: Weekly 60-minute sessions across three months

    Growth: Weekly 60-minute sessions across six months

    The Cultivated Scholar Pathway: Weekly 60-minute sessions across ten months

    Held Roots, Blooming Minds: Weekly 60-minute sessions across twelve months

    Coaching packages also begin with an extended Clarity Session. Scheduling may occasionally be adjusted collaboratively around holidays, availability, health, or changing capacity.

    The goal is to provide dependable continuity without treating perfect attendance or productivity as a measure of your commitment or progress.

  • Depending on your package, you may receive:

    • Session summaries (client-derived insights and reflections)

    • Growth plans based on your capacity and goals

    There are no rigid assignments or expectations—everything is collaborative and adaptable.

  • Communication outside of sessions is limited and depends on the coaching package selected.

    Coaching primarily takes place during scheduled sessions to maintain clear boundaries, sustainability, and presence within the work.

  • Start by booking a Discovery Consultation.

    From there, if we’re a good fit, you’ll move into a Clarity Session before beginning ongoing coaching.

Accessibility & Support

  • Yes.

    Neuroplastic Pathways aims to balance accessibility with sustainability. Lower-cost options, such as Touchstone Sessions, are available in limited quantities each month.

  • Accessibility is approached with intention and balance.

    Current efforts include:

    • Offering lower-cost, limited-availability sessions (Touchstone Sessions)

    • Designing coaching around capacity—not productivity

    • Providing clear expectations and transparent pricing

    • Creating a non-pathologizing, affirming space

    Accessibility also means sustainability—ensuring that services can continue to exist long-term without burnout or compromise in quality.

Logistics

  • All services are currently offered virtually.

    Sessions take place via a secure video platform, allowing for flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to work together from a space that feels comfortable and regulated for you.

    At this time, in-person services are not offered.

  • You’ll need:

    • A stable internet connection

    • A device with video capability

    • A space that feels as comfortable and distraction-free as possible

    Flexibility is always prioritized—perfection is not required.

  • Yes, but with some important considerations.

    Neuroplastic Pathways offers non-clinical coaching, which allows for flexibility in working with clients across different locations. However:

    • Coaching must remain within a non-clinical scope at all times

    • Clients are responsible for ensuring that coaching services are permitted in their location

    • Communication, scheduling, and availability may be influenced by time zone differences

    • Coaching is conducted in English

    Coaching may not be appropriate for individuals seeking services that are regulated within their local healthcare system.

    If you are located outside of New Jersey or the United States, this can be discussed during the Discovery Consultation to ensure alignment and appropriateness.

Professional Collaboration

  • Yes.

    Neuroplastic Pathways welcomes collaboration with physicians, therapists, and allied professionals seeking adjunct, non-clinical support for their clients.

    Coaching can complement clinical care by supporting:

    • Daily functioning and routines

    • Capacity building and pacing

    • Integration of insights from therapy or medical care

    Referrals are appropriate when clients would benefit from structured, client-led support outside of a clinical scope.

Safety & Ethics

  • Neuroplastic Pathways is not a crisis service.

    If you are experiencing:

    • Thoughts of harming yourself or others

    • A mental health emergency

    • Severe emotional distress that feels unsafe or unmanageable

    Please seek immediate support through:

    • Emergency services (911 in the U.S.)

    • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)

    • A licensed mental health professional

    Coaching is most effective when you are in a place where reflection and forward-focused work feel accessible.

  • Neuroplastic Pathways is a non-clinical coaching service operating in New Jersey.

    Coaching conversations and personal information are treated with respect, care, and discretion. Information is not shared without your consent except when disclosure is required by law or permitted under the terms of the coaching agreement.

    Neuroplastic Pathways is not a healthcare provider and does not represent its coaching services as treatment covered by HIPAA. However, established clients may use Practice Better, a secure, HIPAA-compliant practice management platform, for forms, documents, scheduling, messaging, session information, and other aspects of the coaching relationship.

    Using a HIPAA-compliant platform reflects a commitment to responsible data handling and privacy. It does not change the non-clinical nature of coaching or make Neuroplastic Pathways a medical or mental healthcare practice.

    Limits to confidentiality may include:

    • A serious or imminent risk of harm to yourself or another person

    • Suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation when reporting is legally required

    • A valid court order, subpoena, or other legal requirement

    • Other circumstances described in the coaching agreement or required by applicable law

    Electronic communication and digital platforms carry some inherent privacy and security risks. Clients are encouraged to use strong passwords, protect access to their devices and accounts, and communicate through the secure client portal whenever appropriate.

    Full information about confidentiality, privacy practices, digital communication, and the use of Practice Better will be provided in the coaching agreement and related consent forms before services begin.

Policies

  • Your time and energy matter—and so does our coach’s.

    • A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule a session

    • Late cancellations or missed sessions may be counted as used sessions

    • All clients are provided with a 10-minute grace period from the start of the scheduled session time. The session will be forfeited after the grace period, in the event that the client does not contact the coach to inform them that they are running late and will join the call within the scheduled appointment time

    • Emergencies and unforeseen circumstances (including symptom flare ups such as migraine attacks, functional seizures, etc.) are approached with understanding on a case-by-case basis

    These policies help maintain consistency, respect, and sustainability for both client and coach.