About Seeds of Change

What makes Seeds of Change Health & Wellness Coaching, LLC Different?

Experience. Credentials. Results.

Coaching is, unfortunately, an unregulated industry where anyone can hang a shingle and call themselves a “life coach”. It is wise for the consumer to do their research and understand the background, training, credentials & experience of their coach.

From an experience standpoint, Jill Garaffa, MS, OTR/L, PCC, ELI-MP has been an occupational therapist in the medical industry for over 30 years and a successful life coaching the community for over 18 years. As an OT., Jill was a coach before coaching was popular –as an occupational therapist, Jill motivated & inspired thousands of patients over her 30-year career to transform their lives & improve from physical disabilities & illness.

The credentials of “MS, OTR/L” signifies a post-professional master’s level degree (MS) as a Licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L). The “PCC” is Professional Certified Coach, which is awarded to professional coaches who have met stringent requirements, including successful graduation from an accredited coaching program, completion of over 750 hours of coaching experience, demonstrating competency with advanced coaching skills, have a commitment to ethical integrity and a dedication to clients.

Last, the “ELI-MP” means that Jill has completed the necessary requirements of Master Practitioner to administer & debrief standardized coaching assessment called the Energy Leadership Index. Results from coaching with Jill speak for themselves.

Intentions

Your transformation is as effortless as possible.

That is not to say it is without effort, but that it does not feel like a struggle. You really do have what it takes to have it all. Your coach will offer you the opportunity to look at your life, and provide you with the tools & structures needed to design a life that works for you. Some common coaching areas include time management, self-management, clutter, balance, relationships, self-talk, weight loss, career & your environment.

You will begin to create the life you want.

Coaching offers you a safe space to explore different perspectives & strategies that can alter your relationship to yourself & others. Your current circumstances are the result of all the thinking, beliefs and actions that have come before this moment. Through coaching, you learn the power of your thoughts & actions so that your future transforms. You will begin to design the life you want.

You will discover and develop the power within you.

Consider that there is a distinction between “willpower” and “power”. Willpower is a struggle—using your own strength, which is limited, leads to fatigue, disillusionment & discouragement. When you tap into your true power—that still, small voice, the inner trust & knowing that is connected to all the power in the Universe–that is when your real power gets unleashed. Call it God, Source Energy or The Higher Self—it is your secret sauce. It is always right at your disposal, yet for most people, it’s untapped. Through coaching, you will learn how to access this inner wisdom.

Promises

Sessions are personalized.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. There is no formula or method. Your circumstances are unique and your next steps are personal to you. Your coach will meet you where are in this moment, help you untangle & sort through what is stopping you and help bring you forward rather than offer you are-packaged, off the shelf plan.

No Advice.

By now, you probably have already had enough people telling you what you should do—friends, spouses, physicians, colleagues. This only adds to the confusion. The ultimate goal of coaching is to have you be empowered & resourceful to create the life you want. You are the greatest expert on your own life. Your coach is the expert in making observations and asking questions to support you with bringing your answers to the surface. Your coach will have you look at what works (and what doesn’t work) for your life, have you tune in to what your intuition is saying and grow your confidence to make the best choices.

Accountability and support.

Your coach will support you in creating a powerful action plan each week and hold you accountable for your commitments. If you do not keep your word, you will have the opportunity to explore what really stopped you (vs the circumstances surrounding the inaction). Your support is available 24/7 via unlimited email, unlimited texting, and on-the-spot coaching calls during daytime business hours.

View Real Results

About Jill Garaffa

MS, OTR/L, PCC, ELI-MP

Jill Garaffa, MS, OTR/L, PCC is an NJ licensed occupational therapist & professional certified life coach that has been in practice for over 30 years. Through combining the science of occupational therapy with the art of life coaching, Jill is able to produce breakthrough results for her clients in areas of life that matter to them. Jill’s primary focus with clients is on creating a powerful mindset which enhances the quality of life in the areas of career, relationships, and health.

As an Occupational Therapist & Life Coach, Jill specializes in the “Invisible Activities of Daily Living” such as managing the thoughts, beliefs, language, values, and motivation that can either increase or decrease our quality of life.

Jill’s style of coaching is gentle, insightful and encouraging. Her support & guidance inspire natural action that promotes sustainable change.

Jill has coached clients from all over the world, in five different time zones, from the United States to the United Kingdom. Her clients have included high-level corporate executives, physicians, therapists, nurses & other health care professionals, entrepreneurs & business owners, stay at home moms, 20-something millennials, retirees and college students. In addition to working with both personal and corporate clients, Jill is a published author & keynote speaker and conducts on-site trainings and community wellness programs to support clients with managing stress & emotions, improving teamwork and elevating communication.

What professional training & credentials do you hold that makes you qualified to coach?

On a professional level, I’ve earned a B.S. in occupational therapy from Kean University (1992) and a Post-Professional M.S. Degree in Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary University (2017). I’ve also completed two separate accredited life coaching programs, the first through Comprehensive Coaching U (2002) and the second, through The Institute for professional excellence in Coaching (2012). My graduate school capstone project was studying the evidence-based practice of Life Coaching as a primary intervention in the framework of Occupational Therapy. I currently hold the credential of Professional Certified Coach, CPC, which includes over 800 hours of life coaching experience and over 100 clients and am actively working toward my credential of Master Certified Coach (MCC).

What is your personal experience in dealing with your own life, and how does that help make you an effective coach?

On a personal level, I am a product of the product. I have been mentored & coached, on and off throughout the years, have done the hard work and have come a very long way. I still consider myself a student of the same coaching techniques and strategies I offer to my clients & I’m still a work in progress, however, I do have a few victories to share in the spirit of both credibility and “If I can do it, you can do it!”

So here goes: In the first six months of hiring my first life coach (almost 20 years ago): I ended a dead-end relationship, went back to school, changed careers, lost 20lb and moved from Maryland (where I had been living for 10 years), back to New Jersey where I grew up, to be closer to my family. The next set of miracles took a bit more time: I eventually found the courage to buy a home as a single woman; stepped up my level of responsibility at home and adopted two dogs; stepped up my leadership at work and was promoted multiple times; put my heart back out on the line & became vulnerable enough to fall in love again and get married; went back to graduate school at the age of 49 and started a private practice, merging my two passions: occupational therapy & life coaching and became a published author, keynote speaker & presenter at several professional conferences (speaking to audiences of several hundred people).

On a really personal level, I will share that I have been clean from food addiction & disordered eating for 30 years; sober from alcohol for 20 years; free from co-dependent, unhealthy relationships for 10 years & debt free from mindless, over-spending on credit cards for over 5 years. Why do I share so openly about my former demons? Because I believe in transparency & authenticity. I am just as real & human as every one of my clients. Because if others weren’t open with me about their struggles, then I wouldn’t have been able to courageously conquer & overcome mine and enjoy freedom. My life now is juicy & delicious and amazing. I get to enjoy a beautiful life with my incredible, soul mate/best friend husband, two bonus kids & two adorable little dogs.

Anything else you want people to know about you?

Yes. That I am fully committed to their success. I will stand for you and not give up on you. I believe you have all the power within yourself to make anything happen in your life if you are simply willing to begin the journey. When people hire me to work with them, I am available on a daily basis to check in as needed–not just during scheduled coaching calls. Life happens 24/7 so if a client needs to chat in between sessions, I will make time. This daily/weekly support can be life changing—to know someone is in your corner at all times.

Real Clients. Real Results:

“I lost 62lb in the past three months and you were an essential part of the process beginning with the first conversation.”

“I registered myself for graduate school and got my masters degree”

“I stayed with a relationship that I was about to quit & run away from (like I usually do). Instead, I worked through my fear. We are now married!”

“I developed the courage to quit my day job and start my own business.”

“I started meditating more, which has lead to feeling more calm and centered”

“I was inspired (and willing) to read a few self-development books that I wouldn’t have normally read and that helped me tremendously”

“Finally had the confidence and preparation to leave my job and take a leave of absence”

“I stopped dating the wrong people. I’m now in a very fulfilling committed relationship.”

“Much better able to deal with stress”

“I went back to college at the age of 47 and finished with honors”

“I realized how important I am in the world—not only to others but to myself as well. I learned that my life can be my own and I can pursue my dreams while still keeping my feet on the ground!”

“I got back on a clean eating and exercise program and was able to maintain consistency with it”

“I went back to school, changed careers and got a new job.”

“I moved out of my apartment and bought my first house!”