My Approach
What Makes This Different
Most executive coaches focus on tactics—communication frameworks, productivity hacks, leadership "styles."
I start somewhere deeper.
As a licensed clinical psychologist, I bring 15 years of experience understanding how people actually change. I use evidence-based methods—cognitive-behavioral therapy and Gottman frameworks—adapted specifically for workplace dynamics: the tension between you and your co-founder, the manager who triggers you, the promotion that surfaced old doubts.
This isn't therapy. But it's informed by it. And that depth is what creates change that lasts.
One Coach. One Relationship.
Many coaching firms assign you to a contractor. You talk to a salesperson, then an intake coordinator, then finally meet "your coach"—someone you didn't choose.
That's not how I work.
When you reach out, you talk to me. When we meet for our consultation, it's me. When we work together, it's me—every session, every conversation, from start to finish.
No handoffs. No gatekeepers. No repeating your story to someone new.
Just a direct relationship, built on trust.
Who I Work With
My Clients include:
- C-suite executives and VPs at leading tech companies
- Venture capital partners and principals
- Senior engineers transitioning into leadership
- Physicians and healthcare leaders
- University professors and academic administrators
- Dentists and practice owners
- Entrepreneurs and pre-seed founders
- Professionals navigating career pivots
What they share: high expectations, demanding careers, and a desire to lead with clarity and purpose.
Services Overview
Core Offerings
Executive Coaching
Ongoing 1:1 coaching for senior leaders navigating high-stakes decisions, team dynamics, and personal performance. Sessions are typically weekly or biweekly over a 6-month engagement.
Best For
C-suite executives, VPs, senior directors, and high-potential managers preparing for the next level.
Leadership Accelerator
A focused 3-month engagement for leaders facing a specific challenge—stepping into a new role, managing a difficult team dynamic, or breaking through a performance plateau.
Best For
Newly promoted managers, first-time leaders, and individual contributors preparing for leadership.
Co-Founder Partnership Intensive
Deep work for co-founding teams struggling with alignment, trust, or communication. Using frameworks adapted from couples therapy, we rebuild the foundation your company depends on.
Best For
Pre-seed and seed-stage co-founders (2-3 partners) navigating conflict or misalignment before it becomes irreparable.
Single Sessions
For established clients or those seeking targeted support on a specific situation—a difficult conversation, a board presentation, or a career decision.
Best For
Leaders who've worked with me previously or need one-time strategic support.
What to Expect
The Process
01 — Consultation
We start with a 15-minute call to understand your goals and see if we're a fit. No pressure, no pitch—just an honest conversation.
02 — Discovery Session
If we decide to move forward, we begin with an in-depth session to map your history, patterns, and objectives. This shapes everything that follows.
03 — Ongoing Coaching
We meet regularly—typically weekly or biweekly—using a combination of clinical frameworks, real-time skill building, and reflection. I'll push you. I'll also have your back.
04 — Integration
Coaching ends when you've built the internal capacity to lead without me. My goal is to make myself unnecessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Executive Coaching
What is executive coaching?
Executive coaching is a confidential, one-on-one development partnership designed to enhance leadership effectiveness. Unlike consulting (which provides answers) or mentorship (which shares experience), coaching helps you access your own insights while building sustainable leadership capacity.
At Silicon Valley Leadership Lab, executive coaching integrates clinical psychology with performance optimization. This means we address not just what you do as a leader, but the psychological patterns driving your decisions, reactions, and blind spots.
How is executive coaching different from therapy?
Traditional therapy typically addresses clinical concerns—anxiety, depression, trauma—and focuses on healing past wounds. Executive coaching focuses on future performance and leadership growth. However, this distinction is often artificial for high achievers.
Dr. Li holds credentials in both domains—a PsyD in clinical psychology and ICF coaching membership—allowing her to work at this intersection without artificial boundaries. If clinical issues emerge, she can address them. If the focus is purely performance, she meets you there.
What happens in an executive coaching session?
Sessions typically follow a structured integration of check-ins, core exploration, and action-oriented synthesis:
• Check-in (5-10 min): Immediate priorities and urgent leadership needs.
• Core work (25-30 min): Deep exploration of a leadership challenge, pattern, or decision.
• Integration (5-10 min): Behavioral takeaways and tangible strategy for the week ahead.
How long does executive coaching take to show results?
Most clients report meaningful shifts within 4-6 sessions. These early wins often involve greater clarity on a specific decision, reduced reactivity in triggering contexts, and improved self-awareness of patterns.
Deeper transformation—rewiring longstanding patterns and fundamental shifts in leadership presence—typically requires 3-6 months of consistent work.
How much does executive coaching cost in Silicon Valley?
Premium executive coaching in Silicon Valley ranges from $500-1,500 per session depending on the coach's credentials and experience. Extended engagements typically range from $15,000-60,000 for 3-6 month packages.
My fees reflect the depth of training, specialization, and confidentiality that this work requires. I work on a private-pay basis only—I do not accept insurance or offer sliding scale—which ensures complete privacy and allows me to provide the focused, unhurried attention this work demands.
During our initial consultation, I'll share specific fee structures based on the type of engagement that fits your situation. Most clients find that the investment aligns with what they'd expect from a doctoral-level clinician with specialized expertise in executive and high-achiever populations.
All engagements are private pay only—no insurance involvement—ensuring complete confidentiality. Your employer, board, or investors will never know you're working with us unless you choose to tell them.
Is executive coaching confidential?
Absolutely. Confidentiality is the core foundation. We operate exclusively on a private pay model, ensuring no insurance claims, no records accessible to employers, and no reports to boards or investors without your explicit direction.
How do I know if I need executive coaching?
Consider coaching if you notice patterns limiting your effectiveness, are navigating high-stakes transitions (new role, VC pressure, co-founder conflict), or perform well externally but feel depleted internally. Coaching isn't remedial—it is the next level of self-awareness for established leaders.
A note on Corporate Privacy: Even in company-sponsored engagements, the content of our sessions remains private. We define clear reporting boundaries with your organization at the start of our work to protect the sanctity of the coaching relationship.
Fit & Investment
Is This Right for You?
This work requires honesty, time, and investment.
I keep a small client roster so I can go deep, not wide. I don't take on every inquiry, and I encourage you to be selective too.
Pricing varies based on engagement type and scope. If we're a fit after our consultation, I'll share details and we'll decide together whether to move forward.