What is coaching?

Many people come to coaching because they want to make a change - typically they want more or less of something. Initiating a process of conscious change is empowering.

Coaching is a collaborative relationship between client and coach. It facilitates the client making decisions about how they want to be from today onwards and going from there.

Coaching is solution driven and has an inherently forward thinking motion. A key feature of the process is that it leads to actionable outcomes for which there is accountability. For many people taking time to figure out the next step is one of the main attractions.

The journey is hard work but also some of the most important work you will ever do.

How long does it take?

This depends on what you want to achieve. Often (though not always) I ask for a minimum of six sessions, as I find this is the smallest amount of time in which we can make lasting change. We can agree the total number of sessions in advance or have a more open ended arrangement.

Like most 1 to 1 work coaching is a process. Both the journey and the destination are important and have inherent value.

People report seeing differences from the first session onwards but ultimately this is about what you want to invest in yourself.

Coaching, therapy or counselling?

Coaching is not therapy but can be therapeutic. Unlike therapy or counselling coaching looks predominantly at the future rather than the past. I cannot treat mental illness and if I feel this is what you need I will be honest about it.

Similarly to therapy emotions are welcome and helpful but their context isn’t a point of focus.

Coaching or mentoring?

I will never presume to know what is best for you but through our work you find this out for yourself. Unlike mentoring I won’t bring my personal experiences or any advice to our relationship.

Coaching or consultancy?

Unlike consultancy I am not aiming to deliver a specific outcome for our work together. I facilitate you discovering what you want, and in turn how to create it. This is part of what makes the process powerful - you are responsible for taking action and this means you have ownership over the outcome.

Is it confidential?

Yes. I will not disclose that you are my client or anything about our sessions unless I feel there is a risk to someone’s safety or you are breaking the law.

As part of good practice I receive supervision for my work where I may reference a situation but will not disclose any information that would identify anyone.

Is it very serious?

Coaching is hard work but I promise laughter is included, because I can’t work without it!