How We Incorporate Education in Private Practice

Written By: Andi Wrenn, AFC®, MQFP®

 We are a group of financial coaches that meet each month to share best practices, reflections and other supportive topics for ongoing feedback to fuel our practices. With financial literacy comes a pressing need to provide education to various groups; in fact, many states have enacted laws that require high school students to take a course in personal finance.  In this article, the group members share reflections on how they incorporate education in their private practices. We hope this inspires you to add education into your practice. 

Shannon Himes, AFC® 

My private practice gives me the flexibility and creative freedom to incorporate targeted education for communities in which I live and serve. As a financial coach and homeschooling parent, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities families face when managing both home education and finances. This dual perspective has led me to create an engaging group workshop that addresses the specific financial needs of homeschooling parents and fosters a supportive environment for shared learning and growth. Additionally, I plan to offer classes for homeschool students, equipping them with essential money management skills from an early age. 

Additionally, to ensure a solid foundation for all clients, I’m in the process of developing an on-demand basic budgeting course. This accessible resource will cover fundamental principles, allowing new clients to grasp core concepts at their own pace before embarking on personalized 1-on-1 coaching. By combining group learning, student-focused classes, and a self-paced introductory course, I strive to create a comprehensive and supportive financial education experience for my entire community. 

Lisa Karam, AFC® Candidate

One of my top priorities in my newly emerging practice is providing education to high school and college students. Many times, we take for granted that financial literacy includes understanding money matters, from the basic to the more complicated. But I have found in adults that this is not always the case. In fact, many of my clients have never had formal education that enables them to better manage their money and money habits.  

My formative experience in this field stems from many years ago when I was teaching students – from middle school to high school and soon college students – basic skills such as how to make informed shopping decisions, how to write a check (yes, a check as this was before debit cards!) and how to manage your checkbook. Recently, I’ve taught personal finance topics to high schoolers. In my state, this is a requirement.  

I truly believe teaching kids early instills the knowledge they will need to make good financial decisions. I know it does not stop there, which is why I’m committed to helping people by providing vital information needed for them to reach their goals as adults. 

Julie Kovalaske, AFC® Candidate

Within my own private practice, I’m currently exploring providing educational services to organizations so they can offer personal financial training to their employees. This type of work draws on my background in learning and development and understanding how well-structured training can drive behavior change. 

These resources aim to equip learners with foundational knowledge in areas such as budgeting, debt management, and retirement planning, delivered through both live and self-direct online formats. Additionally, I’m considering tailored educational programs for organizational clients, focusing on the link between employee financial wellbeing and productivity. This approach is intended to provide learners with practical skills and knowledge that support long-term financial stability, augmenting the personalized guidance offered through coaching. 

Maddie Orange, AFC® Candidate

“Assume nothing and check assumptions.” I repeat that mantra to myself every time I’m about to begin a client session or workshop, and it has served me well. As someone who has served a wide range of clients, I’ve come to expect the unexpected: whether it’s a 25 year old who can successfully navigate real estate investing, a highly accomplished international development professional who doesn’t know what a Roth IRA is, or the almost-retiree who doesn’t know what their sizeable 401(k) is invested in. 

Whether I’m chatting with a potential client at a coffee shop or walking a group through how to open an aforementioned Roth IRA, my process infuses financial education at every step and to never assume they understand the “lingo” I’m using (or why it’s important). It’s not uncommon for me to explain what a stock actually is, why a “high-yield savings account” is a popular place to put emergency funds, or what a 529 actually does. I’ve learned how to weave this information into conversation in a compassionate way, creating a place where clients feel empowered to seek more financial education and take action toward their goals. 

Katie Ubelhor, AFC® Candidate 

In my Financial Alchemy Coaching practice, my content and programs are designed to provide practical insights and transformative experiences in managing money and mindset. While I cater my approach to the individual client, I’m usually teaching them the basics of financial literacy while also touching on their psychological relationship with money.  My approach focuses on uncovering and healing subconscious money wounds and using trauma-informed methods to understand and correct harmful financial behaviors. 

In helping my clients identify their “money scripts” – ingrained beliefs about money often rooted in past experiences or family dynamics – they begin to understand the emotional drivers behind their financial decisions and spending habits. My toolkit includes a money personality quiz, gratitude practices, financial goal-setting (including aligning couples’ financial visions), and self-awareness and mindfulness exercises. These tools help clients overcome scarcity mindsets, manage money anxiety, and develop healthier financial coping mechanisms. Through this holistic approach, I empower clients to heal from financial trauma and achieve financial peace.  

Amy Wohlsein, AFC® Candidate

As a private practitioner, I incorporate financial education into my coaching by focusing on helping younger professionals build strong financial foundations early in their careers. My approach goes beyond traditional financial coaching by combining personal finance guidance with career strategy. I cover essential topics like managing student loans, budgeting for rent or homeownership, building emergency funds, saving for retirement, and maximizing workplace benefits. 

With over 15 years of experience in Human Resources, I’ve seen firsthand that many people need a corporate big sister, someone to not only help them manage their money effectively but also navigate their careers strategically. The best way to save more money is often to make more money, so I help my clients increase their earning potential by developing new skills, working on securing promotions, evaluating job offers and ensuring they’re earning market pay. 

To make financial education more accessible, I’m developing a mix of self-paced learning programs that include 1:1 coaching and group coaching sessions to help clients build financial acumen and a professional network. I’m also interested in delivering tailored financial education to workplace Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), providing valuable guidance to employees and helping organizations support their teams’ financial wellness.