Coaching in San Diego for people carrying a lot
Sometimes you know exactly where you want to go and need a plan, a push and someone to keep you honest. Sometimes you are not sure yet and need space to get clear on what matters. Coaching meets you in either place.
At Saffron & Sage, you can work with a life coach, a somatic coach or a Spiritual Director, all under one roof as part of our collaborative care model, alongside our Acupuncturists, Naturopathic Doctors and medical team. Looking for licensed therapy? Visit our psychotherapy page.
- Experienced coaches and Spiritual Directors
- Some sessions available virtually
- Gratuity-free, always
- Best of San Diego, 2020, 2021, 2022
Why people in San Diego book coaching
These are the reasons we hear most from people across San Diego, from Little Italy and Downtown to Mission Hills and North Park. On a free discovery call we’ll help you find the right coach or Spiritual Director.
Feeling stuck
You know something needs to change, but not what or how.
Breaking through mental blocks →
Burnout and overload
Work is taking more than it gives, and rest isn’t refilling the tank.
Coaching and burnout at work →
A big transition
A career move, a breakup, a new baby, an empty nest or retirement.
Redefining your identity →
Parenting and family
Wanting calmer days at home and a stronger connection with your kids.
Coaching and parenting →
Questions of meaning
Faith, purpose, values and what really matters to you now.
Spiritual direction in uncertain times →What is coaching, and what isn’t it?
Coaching is forward-looking support for goals, habits and direction. Coaching is not therapy, and it isn’t a substitute for it.
If anxiety, low mood, grief, trauma or relationship struggles are affecting your daily life, licensed therapy is the better fit. Therapy is booked with medical credits; visit our psychotherapy page.
Coaching looks ahead. You get clear on what you want, name what is in the way, build a plan and have someone to check in with. A coach doesn’t diagnose or provide mental health care. If something comes up in coaching that belongs in therapy, your coach will say so and help you connect with our licensed therapist. We don’t make promises about results. Coaching depends on what you bring to it.
How coaching fits into integrative care here
At Saffron & Sage, your mind isn’t seen as separate from your body. Stress shows up in sleep, digestion and energy too. If you are a member and you give permission, your coach can coordinate with your acupuncturist, naturopathic doctor or medical provider so your plan points in one direction.
Many members pair coaching with acupuncture, breathwork or hypnotherapy. For more on licensed therapy, see our psychotherapy page.
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A simple way to choose
Choose therapy instead if anxiety, low mood, grief or trauma is affecting your daily life. Licensed therapy is booked with medical credits; visit our psychotherapy page.
Choose coaching if you are generally doing okay and want momentum: clearer goals, better habits, a career or life decision, or support with meaning and purpose. Still not sure? That is exactly what the free discovery call is for.
Good to know
Before you book:
- Coaching is not therapy or crisis care
- Licensed therapy is on our psychotherapy page
- Some coaching sessions are available virtually
- You can switch to therapy if your needs change
Your first coaching appointment, step by step
- Start with a conversation. A free discovery call helps you choose between life coaching, somatic coaching or spiritual direction, and who to see.
- Intake. Your practitioner asks what brings you in, what you have tried and what you want to be different.
- The first session. You talk in a quiet, private room or by video where available. You set the pace and share only what you are ready to.
- A plan. Together you agree on focus, how often to meet and how you’ll know it is working. Coaching often includes simple actions between sessions.
- How often. Many people start weekly or every other week, then space sessions out. You decide.
Meet our San Diego coaches
Coaching and spiritual direction are provided by experienced practitioners who work alongside our clinical team, so your support can connect with the rest of your care.
Sheava
Licensed marriage and family therapist and certified hypnotherapist. Offers somatic coaching here. For therapy with Sheava, visit our psychotherapy page.
Cristin
Founder of Saffron & Sage and an experienced spiritual director. Offers spiritual direction in person and virtually.
Clear roles
Coaching is not therapy. Coaches don’t diagnose or provide mental health care.
Right support, right time
If coaching uncovers something that belongs in therapy, we’ll help you make the switch.
Part of a care team
With your permission, your practitioner can coordinate with acupuncture, naturopathic and medical care.
How much does coaching cost? Two ways to start
Your first visit is where the relationship starts. A first appointment runs much like any other: a short intake, your session, and a few minutes at the end to talk about what comes next. If you add a consultation, your practitioner takes a fuller history and reviews your labs, if you have them. Pick the way in that suits you.
First visit and consultation
Your first appointment plus a full consultation, a $300 value, included free.
Book your first visitNew patients. Through October 31, 2026.
Your first appointment
Start with a single first appointment, then decide what comes next.
Book my first appointmentNew patients. Through October 31, 2026.
Then, as a member
Monthly credits you can use for coaching and the rest of your plan. Coaching and spiritual direction use one non-medical credit per 60-minute session. Ask us about membership on your discovery call.
Use pre-tax dollars
Coaching and spiritual direction usually aren’t eligible. Check eligibility with your plan administrator. We're direct pay and don't bill insurance. How HSA, FSA and LSA work here Get our free HSA and FSA guide
Gratuity-free, by design
Every Saffron & Sage experience is gratuity-free. Your care is settled when you book, so when you arrive there is nothing to calculate and nothing left to decide. Be fully present for your treatment, savor every minute of your session, and return to your day restored, with no checkout, no tip line and no pressure to spend more.
New here? Your first visit includes a full consultation, a $300 value, free. Or start with a free 15-minute discovery call.
Have your most recent labs? Upload them here for a free overview.
Upload a recent lab report and get a plain-language overview of what each marker measures. You arrive at your first visit with better questions, and our team starts from what you already have.
Upload my lab reportFree. Takes about a minute. Your file is processed in real time and is not stored. Educational only, not medical advice or a diagnosis.
- UploadA recent lab report, as a PDF or a photo.
- ReadA plain-language overview of what each marker measures.
- Talk it throughWith our team on a free discovery call, if you would like.
Coaching near Little Italy, San Diego
Saffron & Sage is on State Street, just north of Little Italy, a short drive from Downtown, Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Point Loma and North Park. Many members come in before or after work.
Saffron & Sage
2555 State St, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 933-2340 · Get directions
Hours: Monday and Thursday 8 to 2, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 to 8.
Coaching FAQs
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
Therapy, or counseling, is mental health care from a licensed clinician and can explore emotions, patterns, past experiences and conditions like anxiety or depression. Coaching is forward-looking goal and accountability work. Coaching is not therapy and isn’t a substitute for it.
How much does coaching cost in San Diego at Saffron & Sage?
New patients can book a first visit and consultation together for $300, normally $600, or a first appointment for $250, normally $300. After that, members use monthly credits. Coaching and spiritual direction use one non-medical credit per 60-minute session.
Who provides coaching?
Somatic coaching is offered by Sheava, MA, LMFT, and spiritual direction by Cristin, our founder and an experienced Spiritual Director. For licensed therapy, visit our psychotherapy page.
What does a life coach do?
A life coach helps you get clear on what you want, name what is in the way, build a realistic plan and stay accountable. Coaching focuses on the present and future rather than on mental health concerns.
What is spiritual direction?
Spiritual direction is a conversation about your inner life: meaning, purpose, faith, doubt and what matters to you. A spiritual director listens and asks questions rather than giving answers. It is open to people of any tradition, or none.
Can I do coaching virtually?
Yes. Life coaching and spiritual direction are available virtually.
How often should I meet with a coach?
Many people start weekly or every other week, then space sessions out as things settle. Your practitioner will suggest a rhythm, and you decide.
Is this crisis care?
No. Coaching and spiritual direction here are planned, outpatient services. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline any time, or call 911.
Is coaching covered by HSA or insurance?
We’re a direct pay clinic and don’t bill insurance. Coaching and spiritual direction usually aren’t eligible. Check with your plan administrator.
Do you work with couples or parents?
Yes. Couples counseling, family therapy and parenting support through Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, are licensed services booked with medical credits. Visit our psychotherapy page.
Can I switch from coaching to therapy?
Yes. If coaching brings up something that belongs in therapy, or you simply want to go deeper, we’ll help you move to therapy with our licensed therapist.
Do I need to be a member?
No. You can always book à la carte. Membership unlocks preferred pricing, member-only offers and events, and other perks.
Where are you located?
2555 State St, San Diego, CA 92101, just north of Little Italy.
Ready when you are
Book your first visit and consultation for $300, normally $600. Not sure yet? Request a free discovery call. Our team will listen to what's going on and help you pick the right coaching session and practitioner. No cost, no pressure.
Or call (619) 933-2340
All medical services are provided by Kasawa Medical APC dba Saffron & Sage MD. Counseling at Saffron & Sage is provided by a licensed therapist. Coaching and spiritual direction are not therapy, medical care or a substitute for either. None of these services is an emergency or crisis service: if you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), available 24 hours a day. In an emergency, call 911.
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