Frequently Asked Questions
‘Where can I find the Zoom link to get on the call?
This is found on your program resources page.
When are the sessions?
This is found on your program resources page. Bookmark and continue to check this page for a variety of key links, reminders and resources, including the most up-to-date group session schedule, and possible holidays, cancellations and other schedule variations.
How long are the group sessions?
See your program resources page for details.
What kind of format will the calls take?
Calls will be on Zoom or in-person, and will focus on providing an open forum for group coaching, during which you’ll have time to ask questions, troubleshoot, explore options, and otherwise receive support on your journey.
What if I don’t have good internet connection, have difficulty with screens, or a call is happening while I’m driving?
We do offer in-person sessions, which you can attend if you have poor internet or issues with screens/technology. You can also attend via phone line – even a land line! Call-in details are on your program resources page.
Are these sessions HIPAA compliant?
The Zoom account under which these sessions are held is HIPAA-compliant and secure, but the sessions, in so far as they are group sessions, are not, . This is why we have various HIPAA-compliant avenues of supporting you in place as well. We have found, however, most of our members are, on the whole, glad for the increased/frequent access to us in small group format. See also the next question.
I don’t like asking/sharing in groups – how do I get support?
We do encourage (en-Courage) you to cultivate your bravery, and know you’re not alone, and that sharing in a small, affirming group of people dealing with similar issues can be therapeutic even if scary. That said, you may wish to maintain a deeper privacy, especially for specific topics/questions, or at the beginning when you’re still warming up to the process.
If this is the case, and you have a question, there are a few options:
1 – Send a private message in the Zoom chat straight to your coach/host, and type the word ‘private’ in your message to make sure it remains anonymous – they can then answer your question anonymously. The main downside to this option, is you’re not having a living, collaborative conversation with your coach – and it’s through this the collaborative conversation that you and your coach can usually get more to the bottom of the issue/question, and come up with a solution that’s doable, addresses the issue, and that you haven’t tried before, etc..
2 – You can wait to the end of the session, and often if the practitioner has a little time, can stay over with you after everyone has left, to answer you more privately.
3 – Sometimes there are times on a group session when no-one else is there – either others haven’t arrived, or they’ve left – you may even get the host all to yourself for a majority of the session!
4 – Sometimes if you let us know verbally or in the zoom chat that you have a private item to discuss, we can create space in a breakout room, and discuss there if the host deems it appropriate.
Who else will be on the calls?
We keep these calls exclusive to fully-invested practice members at Be Vital Health, who are enrolled in an active membership or package. Due to our specialization in chronic and complex issues, essentially every person on each call has addressed, or is in a process of addressing some combination of issues including fatigue, mold illness, lyme, chronic infections, toxicity, autoimmunity, hormone imbalance, brain fog, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal challenges.
How will you notify me of the sessions?
Call schedule is posted on our program resources page. It is your responsibility to put these dates into your calendar, and check the program resources page for changes to schedules such as cancellations. Before a session you plan to attend, please check the program resources page to confirm it is still scheduled.
What if my computer is not working, or I’m away from it?
If you look at the program resources page, you’ll see a phone dial-in option, as well as an option to connect via your browser window instead of the Zoom app (option appears if you click the login link). These options won’t be as fully featured as the desktop client (the app), but you should be able to get on! This also means if you’re in the car, or don’t have a computer, etc., you can still call in via phone!
What happens if I’m having technical difficulty, or some other trouble getting on or connecting?
As with all things technology – be it trouble with Zoom software getting to a virtual session, or car trouble getting to our in-person session – sometimes things just don’t work as planned. Do your best, and if you get on late, or have to call in via phone instead of Zoom video, we’re glad to have you join us however you can be there! Note also: not all our group sessions take place during normal office hours, so there is not always someone in the office to help if you’re having tech issues. If you end up missing a session due to technical issues, see what you can do to troubleshoot the issue on your end – such as looking at Zoom support resources – and let us know if we can help.
What happens if I miss a session?
This won’t ‘mess’ anything up; but as you move through your journey with us, planning to be on sessions frequently is a good habit, as you will likely have ongoing questions or support needs – and the sessions can help you stay clear and on-track, with a plan in place. In general, the more consistent you can be, the better, but this is about you, and we trust you’ll prioritize the best you can, given your life situation, your bandwidth, and all you’re managing.
Do you offer makeup sessions if I miss a group session, or one is cancelled?
We do not offer makeups for missed sessions. We are delighted to host them at the scheduled time, and delighted to have you join us if you can and wish! We try to have regular options, so if you miss one, or we have to cancel one, there are still options to connect throughout the month. We will do our best to make sure you have access, and please let us know if you’re having technical issues, and we’ll do what we can to support you.
Do I have to be on these sessions?
Of course not. You don’t ‘have to’ do anything with us at all! 🙂 You are a sovereign being! If you’re asking ‘do I have to be on these calls to get results with you?’ the answer is not necessarily. This is a resource for you, and we recommend when you’re working with us, you tap into as many resources of support as you can find. For you, you may find the greatest benefit from any combination of: listening to others, feeling part of a community, listening to the coach, or actively asking for and receiving specific help. There are many benefits to showing up, even if you don’t have a specific question.
You have access to these sessions, and they will provide additional support – which certainly can improve your results, either directly or indirectly, by helping you keep filling in gaps in understanding, remembering things forgotten, staying on track and building momentum.
The true holistic health approach is not, and cannot be, a plug-and-chug kind of process – it requires deep personal engagement, and transformation of mental, emotional, physical and lifestyle habits over time. Your coach, and the other participants, together create a shared culture of transformative engagement, which may be beneficial in it’s own right. We invite you to do what you feel inspired to do, and take advantage of what we have to offer you as fully as you are ready, willing, and able. You are the goal – it’s about you, and your life, and those given to your care – it’s not about us, or “have to’s”. Follow your own inner knowing, and show up for yourself first. If that leads you to showing up for the calls also, then we’re glad to have you!
If I miss a session, will it be recorded?
Short answer: no. All live interactions and sharing, including live coaching/Q & A, are not recorded in the interests of maintaining relative privacy and reducing barriers to participants sharing. When calls are recorded, we find participants are less likely to share challenges, concerns, or other personal issues – and less likely to receive the support from which they would otherwise benefit.
What if the timing of the sessions doesn’t work for my schedule?
For one, it’s worth affirming what we all already know – that unlike 1-on-1 sessions, group sessions are essentially impossible to match with everyone’s schedules. Here are a few answers to this question: (1) In our experience, those who really want to be on a session will tap their resources, stretch creative solutions, and find a way. Talk to your partner, boss, friend, babysitter – there may be a hidden opportunity there – there may yet be a way! All that said, sometimes life happens, sometimes it takes time to figure out a solution, and also sometimes there are still untenable situations. Hence: (2) We have multiple scheduling offerings each month on different days and at different times to help increase options, including offering sessions midday and early evening, virtual and in-person sessions weekly.
Can I bring up specific personal challenges or questions during the Q & A for feedback and coaching? Or do I have to keep it generic/general-audience appropriate?
Please ask your specific question!
A few additional notes: (1) Note: Your host will not have reviewed your exact up-to-date protocol and plan before the group session, so do what you can to briefly remind your host, and give any relevant context. (2) Also, we find it common that questions and issues faced by one person, even if very specific, are often similar to, or the same as those faced by someone else – often including someone who didn’t even realize they were having that issue, or someone who did, but were feeling shy and didn’t ask. When you ask your questions, you often will be serving others as well – and possibly not even know it! See also next question.
My question is a dumb question; too simple; shows I don’t know much; not something anyone would care about – why would I ask it? I don’t want to waste anyone’s time!
A few answers to this question. (1) This kind of attitude usually comes from a place of self-devaluation/self-protection due to some history of being hurt. This is a symptom. Look to the root cause, and do what you can to shift it, as part of your healing journey. We would love to hear from you. (2) Everyone on the call is here to learn and grow. We will maintain a culture of assuming everyone has huge knowledge gaps – including your host. Acknowledging your gaps in experience & knowledge, and seeking answers, is a mighty act! (3) Criticism and judgement of self and others is part of a toxic culture and mindset, and gets in the way of healing. One core goal of our work together is to help de-toxify all layers of your life, as best we can. Do what is possible to let go of these habits as part of your healing process. (4) As mentioned above, your question might not only be worthwhile unto itself, but someone else might deeply benefit from you asking your genuine question – and you may never even know!
Do I have to share?
Certainly not – you don’t have to share. We’re not about ‘have to’s’ here anyway! We encourage sharing, but understand this is not for everyone, for a variety of reasons. We invite you to do what you can, stretch yourself a little if you can – maybe to the very edge or even a little beyond your comfort zone – but don’t force it, and do take care of yourself. Only you know where your limits are. Feel free to say ‘I’ll pass’ or ‘I’ll pass for now’ if, say, the host checks in on you or asks you a question. We’ll maintain a culture of respect and nonjudgment throughout! You’re welcome to participate by just being present, and witnessing.
Recall also, if you’re feeling shy about sharing, but have a question, you can private message the host in Zoom, and write ‘private’ in the message, to receive support anonymously.
For the Zoom sessions, do I have to keep my camera on?
We’re not here to enforce or control what you do – you do you! But similar to the previous question on sharing, we encourage you to keep your camera on. It’s helpful to both host and participants to not see a bunch of black screens looking out at them. Just because this is a zoom/virtual meeting, doesn’t mean we don’t want to see your face, however you’re showing up – even if you’re in bed, or the lighting isn’t good, etc.. Seeing each other builds a certain trust, and a deeper sense of community and connection, even if we’re all visible to each other, and no-one is even talking. This is part of being Present.
If you’d prefer to blur/hide your background, feel free to use the virtual background feature in Zoom. If you turn off your camera, it adds to a culture in which camera-turned-off is normalized, which we’ve found tends to decrease connection between participants, including the host. We are aiming at building a sense of connection & community – so please do what you can to help keep the culture as a camera-on culture.
Of course, we’d love to have you on the call, however you can show up – so if you must turn off your camera here and there for whatever reason, such as if driving, family antics in background, or going to bathroom, or even just feeling so crummy you’d either show up without the camera on, or not show up at all, well – we’re so glad you made the effort to show up the best you can, and you’re with us!
Are you looking forward to me joining the group sessions?
Absolutely! We hope to see you soon!