Christian Coaching: Career, Life, Identity, Self-Esteem, Faith Exploration & Expansion
Coaching is a partnership where one works closely with a highly-trained, objective ally to move forward and achieve goals. With Christian coaching, the work occurs within the framework of a biblically-based worldview.

With 15-years in practice, Kerri K. Yates, CPCC utilizes her exceptionally personal, open, and direct style of coaching to work successfully with clients on a variety of goals. Her approach addresses not only where her clients want to see forward movement or change in their lives, but also who they are, their motivations, values, and capabilities. As such, the results of coaching are lasting; her clients leave with a stronger sense of themselves, their abilities, and the unique techniques that work to keep themselves on track.
With every client she:
- Helps you uncover key aspects of who you were made to be (unearthing your true self)
- Explores where you are putting your energy, what truly motivates you, and what you really want
- Sees what you are capable of and holds it in front of you so that you can embrace your abilities and brilliance, and move forward
- Uncovers and eliminates blocks
- Provides a safe space where you can practice healthy bluntness; saying no, asking for what you want, and expressing your true thoughts
- Works with you to develop a concise action plan
- Holds you accountable for what you want to achieve
When you lose sight of your gifts, Kerri places them in front of you. When you need to be pushed, she presents objective accounts of your limiting beliefs and then calls you forward towards your best actions. She is your advocate, cheerleader, and ‘safe space’ to explore what is possible and then make it happen.
“Across my decade and a half of coaching, I have been consistently amazed by what people are capable of. We are all fallible, but God has also made us astonishingly wonderful (Psalm 139:14). When given the right questions and a safe, open, constructive space to explore them, I have watched over and over as clients discover that they know so much more than they realize and that they already possess what they need to fulfill their goals and thrive. In a world that is making us feel unsettled and unsafe, I have the joy of seeing how stunning people are on a daily basis. This work is a privilege and a gift from God, and I am so grateful to be able to walk with people in this way.” – Kerri K. Yates, CPCC
Kerri is Highly-Trained and Draws Upon a Variety of Vocational and Life Experiences to Propel her Clients Forward. Some of these include:
- Certified by the Internationally-renowned Coaches Training Institute (CTI) in Co-Active Coaching
- Built, Owned & Sold Several Businesses (high-tech, professional services).
- Worked as an Head of HR
- Achieved Resume Expert Status, with Globally-Located Clients
- Graduated from Wellesley College (Anthropology)
- Studied Theology, Spiritual Direction, and Apologetics in Master’s Program (Denver Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary)
- Active Motherhood
- Lived Overseas (Japan)
- “Walked-The-Talk.”
Coaching with Kerri is about You Being (and Speaking Openly as) Your Best Self:
Kerri is a skilled facilitator, but only you know the true answers to your questions. Further, only you–with God’s help–can choose to move forward. When in your interest, or when asked, Kerri can supply advice. However, she wants you to openly disagree (or agree) with her as part of the coaching process. When you say: “No,” she will applaud you for owning your path. Coaching is a wonderful place to practice speaking candidly about your needs, feelings, and choices without negative repercussions. You will even be celebrated for it!
Aspects of Our Christian Coaching Framework:
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- We are carefully and intentionally designed by God with specific qualities and purposes
- We bear the image of God and by understanding what this looks like we can gain knowledge about who we are and how to move forward spiritually, vocationally, and personally
- We can access real, applicable knowledge in the Bible
- God is lovingly working on each of our behalfs
- We rely on prayer and spiritual practices as a means of seeking relationship with God, direction, guidance, protection, and expressions of gratitude
- We can expect forces (internal and external) to move against us as we pursue deep thriving in our lives. We can also access truth and seek God’s help to challenge and overcome these forces.
- Every single one of us has great, inherent, God-given value
Common Topics for Which to Seek Christian Coaching:
- Life Purpose/Calling Identification
- Vocational Direction & Passions Discovery
- Taking One’s Business, Career or Pursuit to the Next Level
- Faith Exploration
- Growing One’s Faith
- Self-Esteem/Self-Image Expansion
- Understanding & Utilizing One’s Gifts and Skills
- Career Assistance (Job Pursuit, Workforce Re-Entry, etc.)
- Business Envisioning, Definition, Development, and Expansion
- Relationship/Family-Related Goals and Issues
- Health & Recovery Challenges
- Transitions & Challenging-Time Navigation
- Self-Care & Stress Management
- Disorganization Remediation
- Life Balance Negotiating
- Defining What is Next in Life (post-retirement, etc.)
- And more…

About Coaching:
- Coaching is Not Counseling: Unlike counseling, coaching focuses on moving forward rather than negotiating and healing past experiences or psychological traumas. Coaching assumes that the client is whole and fully capable of achieving his or her goals; he or she does not need to be “fixed.” Past experiences are, however, honored as being part of where the client is right now.
- Coaching is More than Speaking With a Friend: A coach is highly-trained and does not provide advice. Instead, the coach supports and assists the client in moving him or herself forward through proven and studied methodologies. As an objective ally, the coach has the freedom to hold the client accountable and offer greater honesty than a friend might. In turn, the client is expected to be blunt with the coach in ways that he or she cannot usually interact with others. This honesty generates forward movement rapidly and offers the client a place to practice being his or her own advocate.
Coaching F.A.Q.s
- How Do Sessions Work? The agenda is set by the client for each session except the first (unless otherwise decided upon together). Kerri will ask powerful questions and tell you honestly what she is hearing you say. She will help you to dig deep within yourself and will support you as you decide how to go forward. She will then suggest progressive challenges to work on and hold you accountable for completing them if it serves you to do so.
- Does it Work Via the Phone or Skype? Yes! With the telephone, some clients feel more able to be fully honest and open without visual distractions. With Skype, if we are a good fit to meet your needs, we can work from anywhere!
- How Long Does Coaching Last? Many clients achieve their goal plans in three sessions. Three months, however, is the ideal length of time. It depends on the topic and how eager the client is to move forward.
- Coaching Achievements Last: Coaching asks for the client to be the source of change so that the forward movement is not dependent on the coaching relationship to continue. Clients also gain tools that they can consistently apply to their own lives. In sum, clients learn to coach themselves.
Pricing:
Please email our Practice Manager, Sarah, to schedule a 20-minute complimentary consultation. Contact: coaching@7nightingales.com
- Please see our coaching page for pricing