Chiara Pietrogiovanna, a Professional ICF (International Coaching Federation) Certified Coach, talks with LAsThePlace.com about “Conscious Coaching by Chiara”, her coaching practice focusing on life purpose and awareness. She also shares with us how being in touch with your true essence is an important factor in our lives.  You can find her actively involved with the ICF (International Coaching Federation) Los Angeles Chapter and the Compass Coaching Network, women and professional coaches committed to improving the life of women.  

LATP:  When you came to the United States, what surprised you the most in learning the difference between the American culture and the Italian culture?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna: I was mostly surprised by the isolation in which people live. The Italian culture emphasizes the importance of relationships, family, friends, and community. There’s a sense of connectedness to others that is really missing here. Italians usually have that certainty that if they ever go through difficult times, they can always rely on their family and friends for help. Instead, Americans put their careers and money before relationships. No wonder the U.S. has the highest rate of mental disorders in the world. On the other hand, American culture emphasizes the idea that no matter what difficulties and disadvantages one might have, through a willingness to take action and persistence, anyone can achieve success, both financial and personal. There’s a certain freedom to reinventing oneself and creating a life of one’s desire that cannot be found in any other country. This is the spirit I fell in love with, and made it possible for me to reinvent my own life.

LATP:  While you were getting your M.A., you volunteered at a crisis intervention helpline center; how has this experience contributed to your coaching practice?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna:  I learned how to be an active listener, how to help clients recognize their own solutions, and how to handle crisis situations. The most valuable part of that experience taught me how to be more empathetic, one of the most important qualities for a coach. 

LATP:  You’ve identified some differences between therapies and coaching, how have all your education and training in Psychology as well as other mental health fields supported you in your coaching work?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna:  It has given me a broader view about life and its complexity, as well as a better insight into human behavior. My clinical preparation, has helped me refine the ability to quickly recognize if a client suffers form mental disorders that would hinder the coaching relationship and require the attention of a mental health professional. I have learned to become a skillful listener, to be less judgmental, to have ethical guidelines and respect confidentiality. In addition, overall it has helped me become more objective which allows me to serve my clients in their best interest.

LATP:  How does metaphysics play a part in life coaching?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna:  Metaphysics’ means ‘beyond physics’ and can be defined as the philosophical study of being and knowing. Since coaching is all about knowing and being who you are, it’s clear that metaphysics plays a big role in it.

LATP:  What techniques do you use in helping your clients design a life of pure joy?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna:  I first inquire why they want to find purpose in their lives. I help them create a vision of what life would be like with meaning by using visualization and imagery exercises. I give them a Value Assessment exercise to see how well they live their values and I help them connect those values with their life vision. Clients work on what they are passionate about. Through questions about their past experience they discover their personal strengths and the awareness of how they felt when they were living on purpose and with absolute joy. I work with them on overcoming possible blocks that are preventing them to express their talents and their essence, and I help them build their life purpose statement.  Their life purpose statement helps them focus their attention on the essence of who they are and allows them to use it in everything they do.

LATP:  What do you enjoy most about working with your niche, those that are in their late thirties and beyond who are still in search of their life’s calling?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna: What I enjoy most is their commitment in wanting to find more meaning and passion in their lives and that they are willing to look deep within themselves to understand who they really are. I feel happiness and exhilaration in helping them discover their life purpose and in sharing their feelings of abundance and satisfaction.

LATP:  Life purpose is something we all strive to be doing, so what suggestions do you give your clients that helps in that discovery process?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna: Becoming first conscious of who they are by observing their thoughts and behaviors. Once they become aware of their essence, they can make choices that reflect that essence and experience fulfillment in everything they do.

LATP:  Now that you are experiencing the fulfillment of being your true essence as a coach, where do you see yourself going from here?

Chiara Pietrogiovanna:  I’m open to share my essence and skills in different ways such as leading workshops and doing lectures. In the future, I would love to collaborate with other coaches to create seminars and organize retreats which combine various coaching specialties. We are always evolving and changing and I would not exclude the possibility of exploring other coaching specialties and other ways to express myself.

Chiara Pietrogiovanna does one on one coaching, both over the phone, and in person.  She focuses on coaching those who are in their late thirties and older.  If you are interested in learning more about Chiara Pietrogiovanna, you can go to her website at www.consciouscoachingbychiara.com, by calling 818-757-7566, and emailing her at chiara@coachchiara.com. You can also find her in the directory of iPEC coaches under Gremlin Awareness Coach, Intuition Development Coach, Life Purpose Coach, Life Transition Coach, Limiting Beliefs Coach on www.ipeccoaches.com.

Chiara Pietrogiovanna was interviewed by Alanna Levenson, a published writer for www.lastheplace.com and she writes blog entries for www.ipeccoaches.com.

Check out our article on Chiara Pietrogiovanna by clicking here…