FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTONS

What is Coaching?

Coaching is the synergistic relationship between the coach and the client. The coaching relationship is one of partnership and collaboration. The coach may be an expert in a specific skill or arena but the coach positions herself as an equal with the client. The coach's role is one of support, encouragement and advising. By the coach asking insightful questions, clients are able to define their own goals. The coach uses motivation, support and accountability to help the clients meet and possibly exceed the goals. The coach enables the client to find the strength to stretch and grow in both their personal and professional life.

Why Hire a Life Coach?

• because you want more out of life
• because you want to grow and produce results
• because you want to make changes faster and easier
• because you want to maintain progress towards your goals
• because you want to establish and maintain balance in your full life

How is coaching different from therapy?

Coaching is much more action-oriented and less reflective than therapy. Coaching is about reaching goals. Therapy is more about gaining insight. Coaching is present and future focused and therapy may rely heavily on the past. Coaches will offer opinions and insight. Coaches will challenge you and give you honest, direct feedback. Often the process is completed in a shorter time frame. From the first session, the client is taking action to move towards the stated goal.

What is a coaching session like?

As early as possible, my clients establish their goals. When the goal can be clearly stated, I work with the clients to define success, which includes concrete outcomes. We then develop a strategy to help reach the given goal(s). Each coaching session is highly interactive. We discuss the progress that has been made from week to week as well as the obstacles that may be impeding progress. We identify what you need to accomplish before the next session to make sure you stay on track.

What are the logistics of coaching?

Logistics are really different for each client. The length of coaching varies and depends on a client's current situation, where she wants to go and how quickly she wants to get there! Clients may achieve their goal in two months and others, in twelve months. Sessions may be regular or infrequent.

Most clients prefer to be coached by phone. The anonymity gives the client the freedom to tell the truth about their life and what is going on. Phone-coaching is more convenient and efficient. The client can attend a coaching session without having to commute to an office. A client can be coached in their office, at home, or even while travelling. Given that most people who hire coaches are already very busy, this time savings makes a huge difference.

Who is the typical client?

Clients come from different backgrounds and are all ages. They may be business leaders, teenagers or stay-at-home moms. Coaching clients are usually quite well functioning and are basically looking to quickly "fix" a situation. Because clients hire a coach they generally have high expectations and won't (and shouldn't) settle for slow, non-productive interactions.

What Results Can I Expect with Coaching?

I cannot guarantee specific results. You will achieve as much or as little as you put into the process. It will require you to invest your own time and energy into achieving your goals. But these are reasonable expectations for your Coaching partnership:

A Coach will:

• encourage you to define and achieve your personal and professional goals faster and with more ease than if you were doing this alone.
• challenge you to tackle obstacles that get in the way of achieving your goals.
• assist you in developing targeted action plans for removing those obstacles
• present you with new perspectives and alternatives to consider in achieving your desired outcomes.
• offer support encouragement, motivation and inspiration