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What is coaching?

Coaching can help you bridge the gap between where you are now, and where you would like to be in your personal or professional life.
The partnership between you and your coach can support you with making lasting changes to your thinking or behaviour within specific areas and help you create practical, step-by-step action plans to achieve your goals. Coaching can also provide on-going support through any changes or obstacles a you may encounter and help you make the most of effective tools, techniques and strategies to create lasting change and success.

What is a coaching session like?

Sessions usually take the form of a discussion where I will ask a range of searching questions. This will help you dig deep into your goals in order to get clear on what you truly desire and who you are at your core. A range of tools and strategies may be used to support you in achieving your goals, including; creativity, cognitive behavioural coaching, neurolinguistic coaching, narrative techniques, strengths and values and exploring metaphors. All techniques will be fully discussed and you are able to decide whether or not you want to make use of them.

Can I change my thinking and behaviour through coaching?

Absolutely! Coaching has the power to help you understand what drives your thoughts, feelings and actions to create your mindset. It can help you make significant changes to the way you experience challenges, stress and frustrations and enable you to feel more in control of your life and achieve your goals. It can also help you challenge imposter syndrome, reprogram your inner critic and build your confidence and self-esteem. This will enable you to make positive changes in your personal or professional life and gain greater life satisfaction.

What about confidentiality?

What happens in our sessions stays in our sessions. Your trust is of great importance and we adhere to the ethical codes of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and British Psychological Society (BPS). The only time confidentiality does not apply is if you are believed to be in danger of harming yourself or others, or of committing a crime. From time to time, coaches are required to undertake professional supervision and development. During those confidential sessions we may discuss our experiences of coaching clients, but we will never reveal names or any idenfying information. We take confidentiality very seriously.

How often should I meet with my coach?

You can have as many or as few coaching sessions as you like. Because we operate over the phone or via the Internet, sessions can easily fit around your schedule. Some people hire a coach once every few months, some people have a session once a week. It is entirely up to you to decide. Ultimately, the number of sessions required depends on your goal and how often you can commit to attending sessions. After your free 30min chemistry call, I recommend an initial commmitment of three x1hr sessions to take place every couple of weeks (or once a week) for maximum impact. After that, you may decide to extend the relationship for an additional time period, to terminate the relationship or to set up occasional sessions as needed. Please note that some of our coaching programs are designed to achieve a specific goal and therefore have a pre-set number of sessions you are required to attend.

How is coaching different from counselling/psychotherapy?

There are many models of counselling/psychotherapy and the difference between them and coaching can be subtle. At its most basic level, clients seek counselling when they sense something is wrong and coaching when they sense something is not as right as they would like it to be. Therapy outcomes may focus on improved emotional/feeling states. The focus is on treatment and healing of problems associated with intense emotional distress (for example, depression, overwhelming anxiety or phobias), severe mental illness, or relationship problems and crises. So, therapy is drawn from the fields of medicine/psychiatry and clinical psychology and counselling can investigate the underlying causes of mental health problems. Coaching comes from scientific research in the fields of positive psychology, organisational psychology, and positively-focused psychotherapy. While positive feelings/emotions and wellbeing may be an outcome of coaching, typically a coach works with someone who wants to improve already existing healthy behaviours and mindsets to achieve a specific goal. In terms of techniques and activities, there is overlap between therapy and coaching. Activities like goal-setting processes, working with positive thinking patterns and developing healthy life skills are some examples of techniques that you might find in both fields, as are finding and working with blocks or obstacles that impede progress.the primary focus is on creating actionable strategies for achieving specific goals in one’s work or personal life. The emphasis in coaching is on action, accountability and follow –through. In terms of techniques and activities, there is overlap between therapy and coaching. Activities like goal-setting processes, working with positive thinking patterns and developing healthy life skills are some examples of techniques that you might find in both fields, as are finding and working with blocks or obstacles that impede progress. I believe there is a place for both coaching and therapy and the two can be effective partners. However, I am not a qualified therapist and feel it is unethical if I don't point out when you may be better served by speaking to a counsellor or psychotherapist.

Where will I meet my coach?

For adults, coaching usually takes place at our home office in Twyford, Berkshire. However, due to the on-going pandemic, we have expanded our service and now offer video coaching using either Zoom or WhatsApp. For children, it is usually preferable to meet in an environment they feel most comfortable, such as at home.

What qualifications do you have?

Coaching is currently an unregulated profession in the UK, meaning anyone can essentially call themselves a life coach. Because of this, it is wise to do your research. I am a fully qualified coach with a Master's Degree in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology (MAPPCP) from the University of East London. I am also a qualified teacher with a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). I am currently an affiliate member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council and am fully insured to practice as a coach and trainer. Just remember, qualifications and memberships mean little if you don't get on with your coach! Book a chemistry call to find out whether you feel I can help you achieve your goals.

What can coaching help me with?

If you've ever struggled with something - such as moving out of your comfort zone, improving your confidence or starting healthy habits, then consulting a life coach could help you. Coaching can actually support you in all aspects of your personal and professional life - from relationships, productivity, and improving your wellbeing, to building self-confidence, decision making and finding your purpose in life. There are many benefits you will gain from coaching including;

•  Clarity about what you want, why you want it and how you can get it
•  Bridging the gap between where you are now and where you want to be
•  Strategies and techniques which enable you to reach your goal faster
•  Overcome obstacles, low confidence and insecurities
•  Explore and evaluate all possible options available
•  Dedicated time, support, encouragement and motivation.
•  Establish and take action towards achieving goals
•  Become more self-reliant
•  Gain more job and life satisfaction
•  Contribute more effectively to the groups you are engaged with
•  Take greater responsibility and accountability for actions and commitments
•  Work more easily and productively with others
•  Communicate more effectively