Now Accepting New Clients for August 2025!

Frequently Asked Questions

Feel free to get in touch at hello[at]purposely-digital.com to ask more questions!

Am I sensitive?

Sensitive is here broadly defined as being receptive to the world around you.

Although there can be negative connotations with being a “sensitive” person (e.g., easily hurt or offended), sensitivity boils down to our ability to “sense” the world around us - be it visual, auditory, physical, or emotional.

If you’re human (and not AI reading this), you are sensitive. Humans are sensitive creatures. We are hard-wired to detect and process the world around us - not just with our physical senses, but also with empathy and emotion.

Sensitivity comes in different degrees and flavors - and some of us humans exist in a world with our sensitivity dial turned up. These “sensitive humans” may identify or have varying experiences associated with their increased sensitivity. We have highly-sensitive people (HSPs), identified by psychologist Elaine Aron, empaths, neurodivergent individuals, giftedness, or maybe we just feel more sensitive.

The point is - all are safe here. We are all unique and come with our own sensitivity journeys. However, if you identify yourself as sensitive, whatever bundle of sensitivity you bring to the table is wholeheartedly welcome.

Sensitive can be a dirty word - but in this coaching space, we reclaim it to honor it in a much-too-noisy-world.

man in white shirt sitting on green grass field during sunset

What is coaching like?

Coaching is the process of supporting you to live a life that matches your values.

To put it another way, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:

Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential

Coaches are trained to ask non-directive questions to foster a collaborative relationship with clients in order to support their growth. Specifically, a client contracts with a coach to reach a particular goal (called transactional coaching) or inner transformation (called transformational coaching). Questions in a coaching session are curious, non-judgmental, and supportive of the client's objective, but can be challenging in order to facilitate growth.

Here at Purposely Digital, we provide 1 on 1 online coaching for humans who identify as sensitive to feel more empowered and thrive in a loud, fast-paced world. We start with a short free chemistry call to discuss your interest and objective(s) for coaching. We then contract with you for a specific number of sessions. The coaching standard is about 6 sessions but can also be more or less depending on the coaching objective. Coaching sessions are 50 minutes to 1 hour in length and take place over Zoom.

The ICF, or International Coaching Federation, trains and accredits coaches around the world.

The ICF establish a standard of excellence in coaching through professional coaching competencies and ethical principles.

In order to become accredited, coaches must demonstrate the ICF's core coaching competencies. This involves completing an ICF-approved training course, meeting minimum coaching and mentorship hours, and passing a competency exam.

To maintain accreditation, you must uphold the ICF code of ethics and core values, and complete continuing education credits.

You can learn more about the ICF here: https://coachingfederation.org.

Sarah, the coach behind Purposely Digital, is a member of the ICF and in the process of becoming accredited. She is currently finishing her ICF-approved training and hours. The remaining requirements consist of mentoring and feedback sessions from more experienced coaches. She has completed all mandatory coursework and has been cleared to work with clients.

You can learn more about her training program at https://www.tobecome.org.

What is the ICF?

woman in teal long sleeve shirt holding black laptop computer

What is your coaching style?

I marry an integrative coaching style alongside strong empathetic presence to create a supportive space for your journey.

As a highly sensitive person who is coming to understand herself as neurodivergent, I have had countless experiences where the world has taken a one-size-fits-all approach that did not fit me. I therefore strongly believe that coaching should be flexible and human - it is about you, and the space is there to match you and your needs.

Integrative coaching, the approach I use and (am being) trained in, is especially suited for this. Integrative coaching is a based on the idea that there isn’t a one-size-fits all coaching model, but that instead we can tailor various tools to the individual. As an integrative coach, I have been trained in various evidence-based coaching models such as GROW, Acceptance-Commitment Coaching, and Cognitive Behavioral Coaching to support individuals in their personal transformation. I take an adaptive approach where various models are used, or not used, in whatever manner best serves you.

This said, the core strength of my coaching approach is holding presence. It’s about creating space so you can explore, process, and grow - something models cannot fully capture. It’s a skill that is a mixture of experience, intuition, and listening. My primary aim in every session is to embody this warm and empathetic presence - one that is validating, understanding, and allows you to be yourself.

Not only is the place safe and respectful, but it is powerful. When challenging questions can be asked and new avenues explored, all without judgement and pretense, you have an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with yourself. And that’s when profound transformation and growth can occur.

I look forward to walking this journey alongside you.

What does "AI Free" mean?

I do not use generative AI (such as Chat-GPT) to generate or write any text for my website, blog, materials, or in any of our communications.

It is 100% me.

I think it is important that if I ask authenticity and vulnerability from my coaching clients in our sessions, that I display the same to them in all ways I communicate. Writing is a form of individual expression where we have our own unique tone and way of writing that goes beyond simple words. Have you ever received a letter, email, or text message from someone, and could "tell" it was them without even looking at the name? That's what I am talking about. Using AI to write replaces your voice with the voice of someone else - a homogenized smoothie of others' voices from the dataset the AI system was trained on.

And I want you, whether it be when pursuing this website, reading the blog, or emailing back and forth with me, to have a true and honest picture of me as a coach and human. To see if we are a good match. To foster honesty and transparency. To build rapport and trust. And ultimately, to support you towards your goals and dreams.

The heron has been an integral part of my journey and source of inspiration when creating Purposely Digital.

In 2024, I started experiencing burnout and panic attacks. During recovery, I was frequently in nature and in the woods. I encountered many herons (here in the Netherlands, grey herons), who inspired me to slow down, stop rushing through life, and reclaim my agency instead of being yanked this way and that by emails, messages, and obligations.

The heron is a master of purpose. Moving slowly and with focused attention, the heron waits to strike - purposely. My wish is that all who coach with me embrace their inner heron - engaging their lives both online and off-line with intention and authenticity.