Who is coaching for?

Coaching is appropriate for everyone, though, as with all things, it might not be everyone's cup of tea. If you're feeling ready to make a change in your life, and are receptive to a new way of exploring your goals, desires and choices, coaching is a fantastic way to kick-start your transformation.

 

Where does coaching happen and how long is a session?

My coaching happens one-to-one, in person where possible, or via Skype/Facetime. Normal sessions are 50 minutes, though the first one - called a discovery session - usually lasts longer, as we get to know each other.

 

How many sessions will I need?

This question comes up a lot, and unfortunately the answer is: 'How long is a piece of string?' It's impossible to know in advance how many sessions will feel appropriate and 'enough'. As a rough guide, I'd recommend signing up to a minimum of eight sessions over four months. However, the coaching relationship is one of on-going communication between coach and client. If something isn't working for you, we'll change it. Coaching should never feel like a slog.

 

What does it cost?

I offer tailor-made packages depending on whether you make a block booking and whether we conduct the coaching in-person or over Skype/Facetime.  A quick Google will reveal that coaches charge wildly varying amounts, and also that good coaching doesn't come cheap. My rates usually average out at £100 per coaching hour, but before you commit to anything I offer a free 30 minute 'chemistry call' to make sure that we both feel happy and confident embarking on a coach-client relationship.

 

Is coaching the same as therapy?

Coaching and therapy have a lot in common, and most coaches and therapists are working with the same goal in mind: to help the client to live a fuller, happier, more on purpose life. Both are about moving forward and overcoming the challenges that can get in the way. However, coaching and therapy are not the same thing. A therapist is trained to explore the potentially deep underlying reasons some people experience challenging emotions, such as lack of motivation,or low self-esteem. A coach, especially a Co-Active coach, comes from the point of view that the client doesn't need to be 'fixed' because nothing is broken, and therefore focuses on strategies for changing behaviour and achieving goals. This does not mean that emotions are unwelcome in a coaching environment, quite the contrary. My personal training in Hypnotherapy also means that I have extensive experience of dealing with powerful or overwhelming emotions. However, if as a coach I believe that a client would benefit from specialist support from a psychologist or counsellor, I will recommend it.

 

Is it confidential?

100%!

 

Will I have to reveal anything private or personal?

One of the amazing things about the Co-Active model is that it focuses on the person, not the topic. In this context, details can often be unhelpful, as they can get us stuck in the past when what we are aiming for is to move forward. A little bit of context will always be required to get us started, but beyond that it is up to you how much you choose to reveal. Exactly the same applies to Hypnotherapy. And, as noted above, anything mentioned in the coach/client relationship is treated with absolute confidentiality.

 

Is coaching better for work stuff or life stuff?

All stuff! Coaching is about you; where you want to move forward and make changes; how you can express the truest version of yourself; how you can live by - and succeed by - the values that are closest to your heart. Having spent ten years in a corporate environment, I know that being great at your job and being happy in yourself are inextricably linked. I'm ready to work with you on whatever it is you want to work on.

 

Will I have to do anything I'm uncomfortable with?

Almost certainly! Guiding you to the borders of your comfort zone and then inviting you to march straight across them is one of the greatest gifts coaching will give you. Everything looks different from out here, and you might just be surprised at what you're capable of!

 

Will there be homework?

Absolutely. But don't worry, we'll design the homework together and you will set the parameters. Though you should expect to be challenged if you set the bar too low. I can promise that your homework will never be boring.

 

What if I become dependent on my coach?

It's my job to make sure that doesn't happen. My goal is to see you fly, not to create a new roadblock that prevents you from moving forward. Which is not to say that coaching relationships can't be ongoing; they can, and often are. It's all down to what feels right for both of us, in the context of the coach-client relationship.

 

I've heard you don't give advice, is that true? 

True. Tempting as it can be to offer advice, especially where we might have a shared experience, my personal opinion is not relevant to your journey. Your opinion is the one that matters. Which doesn't mean we'll sit there in silence whilst I wait for you to come up with your own answers! My role is to use my tools and experience to provide a space in which you can find the answers, plus, probably, a raft of new questions. I'll challenge your, question you, support you and believe in you. But I won't tell you what to do.

 

Do you give a free sample session?

If you're feeling excited to try coaching, I offer a free 30 minute 'chemistry call' that gives us both an opportunity to establish if I'm the right coach for you. Co-Active coaches will all have a broadly similar approach and toolkit, but each coach brings their own particular style to bear on the coach-client relationship. If we're not a good fit, I'll recommend another coach who I think might work for you.