How does coaching work?

Coaching helps you (the client/coachee) to make progress in a chosen area e.g. reaching a goal; solving a problem; or creating some change in an area of your life. Coaching is not simply a chat, rather it is a form of learning which happens through conversations that happen with me as your coach. You set the objectives and as your coach I ensure the conversation is helpful towards that end and benefits you. Our coaching conversations usually happen remotely (details shared once you get booked in).

As your ICF-certified coach, I use a combination of skills such as questioning, listening, observing and objective feedback to support you to gain your own insights and learning on the area being discussed. You can therefore, expect focus on your own circumstances and context (rather than these being filtered through my own views and lens) – helping you to develop your own awareness and understanding. It is not uncommon for this to continue long after the coaching session has taken place! Coaching is therefore, a way to gain a fresh take on things – often helping you to better resolve issues and work towards goals more effectively.

Isn’t coaching just the same thing as mentoring or therapy?

Coaching is often mistakenly labelled as mentoring (and vice versa). Therapy is often focused on the past, whereas coaching is very much future-focused. Also, where mentoring often involves advice from the mentor, as your coach I believe you have the most influence over and understanding of your own circumstances. In working with me, we are working together in acknowledging that you are ultimately responsible for the outcome and results you are creating. This serves to empower you as my client – whilst I won’t provide specific instructions on how to act (as a mentor would), I will support you to act. In learning these techniques through our conversations, you will develop the skills to be able to do this outside of our conversations. A definite confidence and self-trust booster.

This is definitely an investment for me – what can I expect from you as my coach?

In being your coach, you can expect me to be committed to helping you to achieve your goals whilst maintaining healthy and objective detachment. You can expect a calm space to be listened to properly; laughter and warmth. What you can expect is something quite unique and rarely found elsewhere – focus, attention and commitment to your situation. As your coach I will listen to your values, aspirations, goals (these don’t have to be big). You can also expect me to hold genuine and kind curiosity about who you are, what you think and how you experience the world.

During our conversations, I will reflect your thoughts back to you, providing an objective overview – often helping you to see and hear yourself in a clearer way. Combined with asking the necessary challenging questions, I will help you to create the reality you want and set actions, if that is what you want to do next.

I’ve never had any coaching before – is there anything you expect from me as my coach?

In order to get the most from coaching, you will be expected to stay committed to the coaching process. The reality is: coaching helps change happen, but not simply after one session!

Staying committed therefore, looks like showing up for sessions (being mentally and physically present); making notes, if appropriate and upholding any agreements you may make during sessions.

It’s also important that you come to sessions open to the potential of coaching – being open and honest during our conversations. The results of coaching and the strength of the process overall do relate directly to the level of openness and trust in the professional relationship between us.

If I am being so open, will the ideas and comments I share remain confidential?

I’ve been there – I know sometimes what is holding us back from sharing openly and honestly is in fact the fear or doubt that it will be passed on.

Unlike coaches who have no training, as your ICF-certified coach, I adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics – this means your privacy as my client is protected. The contents of our coaching conversations remains confidential. If you are coaching with me through a third party e.g. through work, then we can work together to agree how best to keep any interested third parties involved and updated (if this is a requirement of the agreement made).

I’ve got my first session booked in – is there anything I should do to prepare?

Before your first session, you receive a Welcome Pack containing some questions which may help you to clarify your own objectives before your first coaching session.

Generally, it helps to consider what your objectives are before we meet in Session 1 – what are you hoping to get out of coaching?

It can also help to think about how you might maximise the effectiveness of your involvement with coaching – which factors will help you with this?

I’m a student and would love to get some coaching. Are there are discounts for me?

I offer discounted rates for students looking to get some coaching. If you are willing to commit the time to real change, then feel free to reach out to discuss further.

What if I need to cancel or rearrange a booked session?

It’s generally advisable to book sessions when you know you can be fully present. However, life does of course happen! If you therefore, need to cancel or rearrange a booked session, you can do so with 48 hours’ notice.

What is your refund policy?

Payment for sessions takes place before each session by way of invoice. The Terms and Conditions sent in your Welcome Pack fully detail your rights to a refund. However, if you decide coaching is not for you then the agreement can be mutually terminated and a refund for a session not having taken place is given.

Ready to get started? Let’s talk.