Well-being Coaching

Identify your: strengths; values; goals; obstacles; purpose; direction

Well-being Coaching in the news

Well-being Coaching to expand

After the success of the Well-being Coaching pilot – made possible by support from the Class of 1965 – a generous gift from the Melissa and John V. Ceriale Family Foundation will allow Cornell Health to expand the Well-being Coaching and CAPS Embedded Therapist programs over the next 15 years.

What is Well-being Coaching?

Well-being Coaching is a free service designed to support you in setting meaningful goals, building motivation, and creating greater balance and purpose in your life. It is strengths-based, collaborative, and focused on helping you get unstuck, tap into your potential, and take action in ways that feel realistic and empowering.

Coaching is available to all students studying on Cornell's Ithaca campus (undergraduate, graduate, and professional).

When you partner with a trained Well-being Coach, they will help you explore what’s important to you, what’s getting in the way of you achieving your goals, and how you want to move forward.

Learn more about coaching
Meet the coaches

PLEASE NOTE: Well-being Coaching is NOT a counseling or mental health service (see How is coaching different from counseling?). If you’re looking for clinical support or need help with concerns outside the scope of coaching, you can find other types of support below.

Faculty and staff members can learn about Executive Coaching here.

How to get started

Complete this Well-being Coaching Interest Form.*

*Please note that the Interest Form will not be monitored from July 18-29. If you submit a form during this time, you will receive a response after July 29.

Want to learn more?

Here's what to expect.

How can coaching help?

Well-being coaches can support you in moving toward goals you already have or in creating new goals during your meetings. Coaches can help you better understand your strengths and values, increase motivation for change, and overcome challenges along the way. Coaches can also help you identify other resources that may help you on your well-being journey.

What students say: More 90% of students who have participated in coaching reported making positive changes in themselves and making progress toward their goals!

How is coaching different from counseling?

Coaching is ideal if you are generally functioning well but want support with work-life harmony, motivation, decision-making, navigating transitions, self-awareness, etc.

What coaching is: It is a student-driven, goal-focused approach that helps you move forward and focus on the future.

What coaching is not: Coaches are not clinical or mental health providers and do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.

When to seek counseling instead of coaching: If you’re experiencing significant distress, struggling with mental health issues that are interfering with your daily life, or would like to work through past experiences, counseling offered through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) would be a better fit.

Privacy vs. confidentiality:

Coaching is private, so what you discuss with your coach will not be shared with others, except in certain specific circumstances (for example, concerning potential harm to yourself or others).
Coaching is not confidential. Well-being Coaches are required to report knowledge of alleged incidents of sexual harassment involving students (including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking). CAPS therapists (among others) are confidential resources, and are not designated reporters.

Who are the coaches?

Well-being coaches are professional staff at Cornell who have received additional training in Motivational Interviewing (MI). Using this student-centered, evidence-based conversation style, coaches help you explore your goals, clarify and strengthen your motivation, and build confidence to help you make wanted changes. Regardless of any other professional training, in their coaching roles Well-being Coaches focus on providing support and guidance rather than providing health or mental health advice. Learn more about our coaches below.

How do I sign up for coaching?

If you’re interested in signing up for coaching, please complete the initial Well-being Coaching Interest Form. Our Program Director for Well-being Coaching, Sheila Singh, will follow up with you with more details (usually within two business days).

If your needs are a good fit for coaching, Sheila will send you a link so you can book a meeting with a coach whose availability matches your schedule.
If your needs would be best served by another resource, she will suggest appropriate alternatives to coaching.

What should I expect from the first meeting with a coach?

A supportive space: In the first meeting, your coach will listen with care and compassion with the objective of getting to know you as well as your strengths and challenges.

Exploration of needs and goals: You'll likely explore areas of your life that you want to improve such as time management, sleep, motivation, relationships, or overall well-being. Your coach will partner with you to develop your goals and work toward creating realistic, achievable plans. Don’t worry if you don’t have clear goals figured out yet; part of the process can be discovering them together. And, if you meet with a coach and it turns out your needs are better supported by a different service, your coach will help connect you to the most appropriate resources.

Tools to help you grow: Your coach may use tools and resources (like the VIA Strengths Survey to better understand your strengths, a Well-being Vision worksheet, and SMART goals) to help deepen your self-understanding and help you move forward in life. If you are interested, you are welcome to take the VIA Strengths Survey on your own or before meeting with a coach.

How long do meetings last?

Initial meetings are 60 minutes long. Subsequent meetings are also generally about an hour but can be shorter based on your needs and schedule.

How many meetings can I have with a coach?

Students generally meet with a coach 1-3 times to get unstuck and start making progress, but the exact number of meetings is flexible and tailored to each student’s needs.

How will I know when I should stop coaching?

Many students choose to pause or stop coaching when they feel they’ve made meaningful progress, gained clarity, or developed tools to move forward on their own. You might notice you’re feeling more confident, are more consistent in your habits, or better able to self-reflect. You and your coach will regularly check in about your progress and revisit your goals. When it feels like the right time to wrap up, your coach will support you in making a thoughtful transition.

Where can I find other types of support?

We suggest starting with these resources:

Still have questions about coaching?

Please email Sheila Singh, Program Director for Well-being Coaching.

Meet our Program Director for Well-being Coaching

Sheila Singh, PhD

Program Director for Well-being Coaching
Licensed Psychologist
Cornell Health
(she/her)

Sheila’s signature strengths: Prudence, Judgment, Perspective, Kindness, Forgiveness
Ways Sheila supports her well-being: Sleep is a top priority as is not over-booking myself! I also support my well-being by getting exercise and social connection through walking my dog with my husband. Additionally, I try to stay in touch with friends near and far, continue learning by reading and listening to podcasts, and enjoy the occasional family movie night – though my daughter is often too busy to join these days. Most recently, I joined a community choir to reconnect with my love of singing.
Personal Interests: Singing, traveling, enjoying live music and the theatre (usually with my daughter performing), and watching my comfort TV sitcoms like Friends and Modern Family.

Meet our Well-being Coaches on the Ithaca Campus

	Ricky Boche, MSEd Assistant Dean for Student Support and Advocacy Services Dean of Students (he/him/él)
Ricky's signature strengths: Love, Hope, Judgment, Fairness, Humility, Teamwork Ways Ricky supports his well-being: I support my well-being by playing video games and relaxing with my partner and two cats. It is important to me to appreciate and respect my down time while I have it. As anyone working or studying at Cornell, we can be running around from one thing to the next. I like to slow down outside of work and focus on me. Personal interests: I am a big foodie, so please talk to me about food (but not cooking)! I also enjoy group fitness classes and playing video games.
	Kate Buckley, MEd Well-being Program Director College of Veterinary Medicine (she/her)
Kate's signature strengths: Gratitude, Humility, Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Honesty, Fairness Ways Kate supports her well-being: Cornerstones of my well-being include: regular exercise (especially strength training and stretching), listening to music, practicing gratitude and awe, learning new things (often via podcasts and books), cultivating non-judgmental perspective (of myself and others), and qualitatively connecting with people I care about. I’m also working on getting more rest…however imperfectly. Personal interests: Aside from my well-being practices above, recently, I’ve been enjoying visiting thrift stores with my two daughters (watching their sense of fashion evolve is a hoot). I’m an aspiring minimalist too, and have been trying to integrate more creative pursuits back into my life, including watercolor painting. I also adore synchronicities and am always on the lookout for them.
	Amanda Carreiro, MAPP House Assistant Dean West Campus House System (she/her)
Amanda's signature strengths: Perspective, Leadership, Teamwork, Hope, Kindness Ways Amanda supports her well-being: The primary ways I support my own well-being are through mindfulness meditation, playing with my dogs, spending time with family and friends, going to CrossFit regularly, getting out in nature and practicing gratitude. Personal interests: My personal interests include anything to do with Frisbee (I played Ultimate Frisbee for 23 years and coached the Cornell Women’s team for many years) but I’m also interested in Frisbee golf and other Frisbee sports. I love the Finger Lakes region, the Farmer’s Market, going antiquing, and fixing up old furniture. I am currently reading Louise Penny mysteries to relax at the end of the day. I love to spend time with my 19 year old son, traveling and being in the ocean (ideally, on a boogie board)!
	Perdita Das, MBA House Assistant Dean West Campus House System (she/her/hers)
Perdita's signature strengths: Humor, Leadership, Kindness, Fairness, Judgment Ways Perdita supports her well-being: Celebrating small and big milestones, setting boundaries and saying no, spending quality time with people who recharge me and my two cats Jasper and Rosemary, cooking and trying out new recipes, and asking for help (still a work in progress!). Personal interests: Exploring new cities, cooking, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, tattoos, and Taylor Swift!
	Foula Keagan Dimopoulos, MSW, LMSW Senior Advisor for EOP, HEOP & Pre Professional Programs/First Gen Program Coordinator Office of Academic Discovery and Impact (OADI) (ze/hir/hirs \| he/him/his)
Foula's signature strengths: Love of Learning, Bravery, Perspective, Curiosity, Justice Ways Foula supports hirs well-being: I support my well-being through writing, playing video and board games, spending time with people I love, especially my partner, Kay, and our sometimes feral feline, learning new things, and exploring NY State Parks and beyond. I’m working on sleeping better and meditating! Personal interests: Building LEGO sets, printmaking, reading, traveling and adventuring to old and new places, learning, and being involved in my communities whether based on geography, identities or causes.
	Amy Drumluk, MEd Assistant Director of Advising and Coordinator of First-Year Programming Office of Undergraduate Biology (she/her/hers)
Amy's signature strengths: Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Humor, Love of Learning, Honesty, Love Ways Amy supports her well-being: I support my well-being by going for walks and spending time outside, stopping to take pictures of sunsets any chance I get, listening to a variety of podcasts, and spending time with my dog – a goofy chocolate golden doodle. Personal interests: I love baking, cooking, reading, being on the lake, exploring local waterfalls, listening to music and spending time with my family.
	Sophia Givre, PhD Director, Inclusive Academic Advising College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (she/her)
Sophia's signature strengths: Love of Learning, Honesty, Kindness, Humor, Judgment Ways Sophia supports her well-being: Being outside on nice days, yoga, meditation, HIITS, listening to music, and prioritizing a balanced approach to work and personal life. Personal interests: Podcasts, hiking, trying local foods, travel, CliftonStrengths coaching, watching shows and movies.
	Amanda Gonzalez, MEd Associate Director, Student and Career Development College of Human Ecology (she/her)
Amanda's signature strengths: Love, Perspective, Honesty, Gratitude, Fairness Ways Amanda supports her well-being: I support my well-being by spending time in person and on the phone with friends and family near and far, learning new things that interest me, utilizing counseling as a valuable resource when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and by appreciating nature. Personal interests: I’m interested in personality assessments, trying new things, hiking outdoors, rock climbing indoors, pickleball, dancing, comedy, Broadway musicals, watching shows and movies, and going on adventures.
	Jason Hecht, PhD Senior Research Associate Institutional Research and Planning (he/him/his)
Jason's signature strengths: Love, Perspective, Love of Learning, Judgment, Social Intelligence Ways Jason supports his well-being: Scheduling unstructured time just for me. Relaxing on the porch. Maintaining a regular sleep routine. Cooking for myself and loved ones. Investing in relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Personal interests: Being a homebody with my family and dogs. Science fiction/fantasy literature/TV/movies. Supporting my favorite teams/sports (Arsenal, Knicks, Yankees, and F1 racing). Cooking. Music (I hosted a radio show in college and am a mediocre guitar player).
	Jamie Hom, MA Associate Director of Student Programs Student and Young Alumni Programs Alumni Affairs & Development (she/her)
Jamie's signature strengths: Love of learning, Curiosity, Honesty, Kindness, Humor Ways Jamie supports her well-being: Well-being is about living a life well lived. It is about learning and exploring in who makes you…YOU, while having a curious, resilient, and growth mindset. Ways I support my well-being is ensuring I’m taking care of myself holistically and giving myself grace when I’m having a hard time. This includes, but is not limited to, making sure I am eating well-rounded nutrient food, moving my body with daily exercise, hanging out with my friends and family, trying new hobbies, or exploring the outdoors! Personal interests: Outside of work, you can find me teaching a spin class or on hiking adventures with my dog, Clara, and checking off visiting all 63 United States national parks.
	Olivia Hopewell, PhD Graduate Student Life Advisor The Graduate School (she/her)
Olivia's signature strengths: Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Social Intelligence, Humor, Creativity, Perspective Ways Olivia supports her well-being: The biggest way I support my well-being is working with my brain rather than against it. I've spent a lot of my life being frustrated with the way my brain works, but when I give myself the space to think and just be as myself, life feels so much better. Getting outside and walking my dog helps, too. Personal interests: I always say I have two modes: reading Plato in Greek or watching Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. More seriously, I've recently gotten back into reading after a long post-grad-school-hiatus, and I especially love horror and phenomenology. I also love lifting, exploring the trails around Ithaca with my wife and pup, and making too much soup.
	Suzanne Horning, MS Associate Director The Cornell Commitment (she/her)
Suzanne's signature strengths: Humility, Perspective, Kindness, Prudence, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence Ways Suzanne supports her well-being: Spending as much time outside as possible, getting a walk in at least once a day, spending time with my husband and rescue dog, Clyde, and staying connected to family and friends. Personal interests: I volunteer with the Cornell Raptor Program. I am huge hockey fan and have had season tickets to Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey for more than 15 years!
	Kendra Hutchins, MS Assistant Director of Advising and Coordinator of the Collaborative Engagement in Learning Life Sciences Program Office of Undergraduate Biology (she/her)
Kendra's signature strengths: Kindness, Fairness, Perspective, Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence, Love Ways Kendra supports her well-being: I prioritize my well-being by staying grounded through running and making time for fulfilling hobbies that spark creativity. Daily reading helps me unwind, while spending time with my pets (two cats and a dog) and friends keeps me connected and nurtures my spirit. I try to cultivate gratitude as a daily practice and find renewal in nature, where I can slow down, breathe deeply, and recharge. Personal interests: I really love working with my hands—whether its metalsmithing, cooking a new recipe, or knitting. I find joy in the creative process and deep satisfaction in making things from scratch. I am always excited to try new things and learn new skills (knifemaking was my most recent endeavor, where I got to learn forging and woodworking techniques!). I also enjoy sailing and traveling, which engage my sense of adventure and offer fresh perspectives and a deeper connection to the people and world around me.
	Sarah Janusz, MS, MEd Assistant Director & Disability Access Consultant Student Disability Services Cornell Health (she/her)
Sarah's signature strengths: Honesty, Love of Learning, Gratitude, Hope and Kindness Ways Sarah supports her well-being: I support my well-being is by engaging in moments that ground me and allow me to embrace calmness. Listening to lofi music all day, watching the aquarium jellyfish cam to relax and taking pictures of the falling rain are some of my favorites. Personal interests: Exploring the Finger Lakes and Ithaca areas has become a daily adventure for me. I am passionate about food and love learning a new recipe or tasting a new dish. I am always looking for a movie recommendation or a new show suggestion to watch.
	Sharon Kaplan, MS Academic Advisor Experiential Learning Focus Division of Nutritional Sciences (she/her)
Sharon's signature strengths: Honesty, Kindness, Love, Humor, Appreciation of Beauty & Excellence Ways Sharon supports her well-being: I feel my best when I make time for daily movement practice – walking, Pilates or yoga - as well as eating nutritious food. Coffee and chocolate must factor into each day for me. I also need time with family and friends, in my garden, and cuddling with my dogs. Personal interests: I love reading books, especially historical fiction, and watching comedy and drama shows. Crafting has always been a big part of my life – I make handcrafted soaps and paper, which I use at home as well as gift to others. Exploring the Finger Lakes (and beyond) via hiking and paddling puts me in my happy place.
	Andrea Kiely, MA, MAT Health Leaves Coordinator Student Disability Services Cornell Health (she/her)
Andrea's signature strengths: Honesty, Humor, Self-regulation, Perseverance, Hope Ways Andrea supports her well-being: I take care of my well-being by running, taking long walks with my husband and dogs, cuddling with my golden retrievers, and watching Ted Lasso. Personal interests: I love running, and I am actively involved in a local running club. I enjoy listening to audiobooks, particularly British romantic comedies. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking healthy vegetarian meals and baking tasty treats with nutritious ingredients. You can often find me at rinks all over New York watching my 14-year-old daughter’s ice hockey games. I also enjoy trips to Philadelphia, where my 20-year-old daughter is currently studying. I am interested in history and exploring other countries and cultures.
	Shanna Leipzig Higher Education Opportunity Program Advisor Office of Discovery and Impact (she/her)
Shanna's signature strengths: Curiosity, Humor, Love of Learning, Gratitude Ways Shanna supports her well-being: I support my well-being by giving myself permission to prioritize the important things and let go of the small things (I’m a recovering perfectionist). I love to learn new skills, and I dedicate time to the things that energize me vs. drain me. I spend time each night taking care of myself through scheduled alone time, watching TV, or listening to audiobooks. I also prioritize making time for the things that are most important to me—my friends, family and hobbies. Personal interests: Making things! (Pottery, stained glass, baking, homemade kombucha and cheese, crocheting, gardening, making Halloween costumes, etc.) I also love walking, podcasts, roller skating and traveling.
	Ben Martin, MA Assistant Director Engineering Advising (he/him)
Ben's signature strengths: Fairness, Spirituality, Humility, Humor, Judgment Ways Ben supports his well-being: Silence / solitude in the morning, yoga, running, and reading. Personal interests: Enjoying time with my family: Sara, Asher, & Millie (and our dog Olive). I love games (Smash-up, Sushi Go, Pokémon TCG), movies, and coffee shops.
	Erin Sember-Chase, MS Learning Consultant Department of Inclusion and Belonging (she/her)
Erin's signature strengths: Humor, Leadership, Gratitude, Judgment, Bravery Ways Erin supports her well-being: Laughter, reading, hearing, seeing anything that makes me laugh, and me being able to make others laugh, all support my well-being! I read a balance of biographies/nonfiction so I am learning about someone or something and cozy mysteries which is just pure fun when I don’t want to have to think too much. I have my favorite TV shows I watch, and when life gets uncertain or particularly challenging, I will watch reruns of old sitcoms I love because it’s comforting to already know what’s going to happen next AND to know I’ll laugh a lot! Personal interests: I watch all the cooking competition reality shows and have far too many subscriptions to cooking magazines but I love reading them all! I love spending time with my husband, family, and friends and hosting dinner parties. I really enjoy putting together puzzles that are fun with lots going on in them (a 1000 pieces of just green trees and blue sky is so not fun to me!) Every now and then, I will try my hand at doing some sort of craft project. This usually turns out to either be something really cool that I feel proud of, or something I give my mom and tell her to pretend 8-year-old Erin gave it to her!
	Ethan Stephenson, PhD Director of Faculty Living-Learning Programs Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (he/him)
Ethan's signature strengths: Honesty, Fairness, Perspective, Judgment, Social Intelligence Ways Ethan supports his well-being: In addition to working out when I get the chance, I build exercise into my daily routine with dog walks and walking to work. I love to cook and bake so I end up preparing most of the food I eat. I work hard on creating a healthy work/life balance. I spend a lot of time with my family. I try to maintain regular sleep habits, something that was much harder when I was in college. Personal interests: Biking, baking, cooking, reading