FAQs
Q.Is Coaching the same thing as 'Counselling' or 'Therapy'
A. No. Counselling or therapy tends to deal with the trauma or negative circumstances of a persons past. The objective is to help the individual to come to terms with their past insofar as this is having a negative impact on their present state of mind. The subject is often led to dwell on or relive the events of the past. Coaching is usually only concerned with the present and the future. Some account is taken of the individuals past but the emphasis is on moving the individual to a better place in the future.
Q. What if I have had Counselling before, can I still benefit from Coaching?
A. Absolutely. Coaching is suitable for anyone who is ready, willing and able to be coached (see 'Are You Ready?' section). If you have received counselling before, you may switch to coaching only if you believe that the counselling has been effective in helping you to accept your past and brought you to a point where you can move on unburdened. In fact this is a good natural step. It is advisable however to discuss this with your coach before beginning the coaching programme.
Q. What if I need help but I don't believe in all this 'happy clappy' stuff !?
A. Coaching is a very straightforward process, not unlike having a chat with your best friend. It is important that you pick a coach that you can relate to. At times your current beliefs may be challenged, but only to demonstrate how they may be holding you back. As you develop through coaching it is inevitable that you will begin to see yourself and the world around you in a better light. This change of perception comes from within and can be very powerful. Coaches will not impose this on you.
Q. What if I get the 'wrong' advice from my coach?
A. It is not the role of the coach to provide advice. This is often misunderstood by those who are unfamiliar with coaching. A coach can provide tips and lots of encouragement but the significant decisions concerning direction and action steps will come from the client. These will emerge in response to the coach's questioning.
Q. How quickly can I expect results?
A. A one-off issue e.g. making a difficult choice between two well-defined options, could be handled in a single session. On the other hand, a major life overhaul or career change could take approximately 12 sessions. Progress will depend on how committed the client is to making changes and carrying out action steps between sessions. Busy clients may need to be ruthless in making this a priority. Both coach and client will recognise when it makes sense to cease the programme - usually when the end goal has been reached. For further info see How coaching works page.
Q. What are the practicalities of a coaching programme?
A. Please see How coaching works
Q. Are there different types of coaching?
A. Yes. The broad categories are Life or Personal coaching, Business Coaching (helping managers or entrepreneurs with business strategy) and Executive Coaching (often provided by an employer to help an employee to improve their work performance). Coaches will often gravitate towards a niche that they have had direct experience in or an area that they feel particularly strongly about.
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