You don't have to do it alone.

Individual coaching is a personalized form of accountability support designed to keep you motivated, focused, and progressing steadily toward completing your dissertation. The coaching relationship typically unfolds over several months, providing a consistent space where you can openly discuss roadblocks, brainstorm strategies, and celebrate important milestones. I offer flexibility in the format and frequency of sessions to best accommodate your schedule and preferences.

You may choose between four half-hour sessions each month, ideal if you prefer shorter but more frequent check-ins, or two one-hour sessions for more in-depth collaboration in fewer meetings both are priced at $300 per month. Beyond our scheduled sessions, I am available via email to provide ongoing support, answer questions, and help you stay accountable throughout your writing and research process.

My role as your coach is to help you clarify your goals, identify obstacles, and discover effective strategies that align with your personal working style and project demands. This long-term partnership aims to build both momentum and confidence, so that each month you move closer to finishing your dissertation with purpose and clarity.

Join the Journey

Our Coaching Process

Schedule a Discovery Call: This complimentary, one-hour call helps you identify what’s holding you back. Many students gain clarity about their challenges during this call.

Co-Create the Coaching Proposal: Together, we tailor a coaching plan to fit your needs. Whether you want weekly accountability, bi-weekly check-ins, or thoughtful page reviews, you decide what works best. 

Write and Check In: I’ll ask guiding questions and keep you accountable while you focus on writing. With consistent effort and support, we’ll make meaningful progress. 

Finish Your Dissertation: Imagine graduating and celebrating your success! Let that vision motivate you through the hard work. 

Frequently Asked Questions

As your dissertation coach, I help you set and reach your research and writing goals while acting as an accountability partner. I guide you through obstacles and help speed up your progress.

Coaching is a collaborative relationship where clients identify their goals and obstacles openly, without fear of harming the relationship. For example, you can tell me about writer’s block without worrying about judgment or consequences.

In consulting, you expect the expert to have all the answers. In coaching, I believe that you have the answers but may need help uncovering what works best for you.

Therapy works on past issues to improve today. Coaching focuses on today’s actions to create a better tomorrow. If past experiences block your dissertation progress, I will recommend that you speak to a therapist.

A coach’s only agenda is what’s best for you. Friends or family may have other agendas, such as pushing you to finish quickly regardless of your process. I listen fully and support you in finding your own path.

I meet one on one with clients locally in Austin, TX, or remotely via phone or Zoom. The usual structure is four half-hour sessions per month, but I’m flexible and open to other arrangements. Clients can also email me anytime during the month. 

Do We Fit? Let's Talk

Testimonials

“You coached me very early on in my dissertation process. I am very grateful for your guidance and support during that excruciating time of getting started.

“I wanted to let you know I’m set to defend my dissertation in just a few weeks! This has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life and I’m extremely thankful for you helping me reach this milestone.”
Rachel N
Texas Tech University
“Thank you for helping to get me focused again so that I could finish my dissertation.Throughout the process having someone to bounce ideas off of who also provided support in setting small incremental goals took the overwhelming feeling away.”
D.M.
Texas A&M University, April 2017
“I first contacted Dr. Corbin because I was frustrated and unsure of what direction I should take with the initial stages of the dissertation process. We had our consultation and after the first five minutes, I knew Dr. Corbin is an exceptional dissertation coach. Dr. Corbin is a mindful listener, which is one of the attributes that makes her a great coach. She has a unique way of deciphering the problem and putting it into a context that I could understand. Her polite and positive demeanor was an additional benefit. She was always willing to assist me and her straight forward approach was appreciated.”
John Kelly
May 2016
“Dr. Corbin served me in the role of dissertation coach. This working relationship was at her initiative as she expressed to me her desire to see each student successfully complete his/her doctoral dissertation. We met on an almost weekly basis. We discussed my progress as well as established weekly goals. Given that I had a full-time position off campus, this proved to be of tremendous help.”
Derek Cortez
Doctoral Graduate, University of Texas
“From the moment I first entered the PhD program at the University of Texas at Austin, Susan became my coach. She coached and counseled me through my coursework for three years, and directed me through my comprehensive exam process. It was for the final two years of my graduate career, however, that I had the wonderful opportunity to work very closely with Susan as she coached me through my prospectus and dissertation.”
Adria Battaglia
Instructor, TX Literacy Coalition; Part-Time Lecturer, UT-Austin; Adjunct Faculty, ACC, March 24, 2011
“Susan Corbin is an amazing personal coach. Her positive attitude towards the people she coaches, her sharp analysis of the struggles we face, and her wealth of solution ideas and personal wisdom make her one of the very best coaches out there. She helped me understand that what holds me back from realizing my full potential is the little voice in my head.”
Kerk Kee
Assistant Professor of Organizational Communication, with Expertise in Social Media, Big Data, and Cyberinfrastructure, March 14, 2011
“Susan was the architect of my dissertation defense. When crunch time came, we sat down and she mapped out a strategy that allowed me not only write and defend my prospectus, but also write and defend the dissertation itself. We established a set of intermediate goals and made a calendar that showed everything from start to finish. Then we met routinely to evaluate and adjust the schedule as needed (as it was, her original calendar was remarkably accurate). She also gave me specific strategies for writing, researching, and working with committee members. In short, Susan knows whereof she speaks. A trusted advisor and a good friend, I recommend her to anyone.”
Billy Earnest
Assistant Professor of Communication, St. Edward’s University, August 15, 2009
“Dr. Corbin was incredibly helpful during my graduate career. She was attentive to all my high-stress & often time-sensitive concerns. I knew I could rely on her for immediate attention, and she was always available to me for encouragement & support –I can’t imagine my graduate experience without her in it.”
Erin Wolf
International Risk Analyst, The University of Texas at Austin, September 9, 2009
“Susan’s insight, guidance and fresh perspectives were a welcome respite at a critical point in my graduate career. Her interest, sincerity and ability to listen and identify underlying issues that were serving as obstacles in accomplishing the goals I had set for myself were immensely helpful and allowed me to set a realistic timeline in writing my dissertation. Susan’s careful listening skills are one of the things that make her such a great personal coach.”
Stephanie Hamel
2006 University of Texas Doctoral Graduate

Get Unstuck Today

When you’re ready to take the next step toward completing your dissertation with personalized support, I invite you to get in touch. Contact me today for details.