FAQs
Here are some answers to queries we’re often asked.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us through our contact page.
What is coaching?
The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as ‘partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential’.
Essentially it’s a learning relationship, where the client is the person with the answers, and the coach helps to support them to achieve a change in some aspect of their life, via a process of listening and challenge. The coach isn’t there to provide guidance or answers, but to use structured tools and techniques to support the client with their thinking, and therefore enable them to come up with the answers themselves.
The work is grounded in an extensive and eclectic evidence base, and focuses on strengths and positive reframing. Little time is spent on the delving into the past or the problem, only in so far as it helps to shed light on the current issue.
After a constructive coaching conversation, clients describe a sense of lightness and clarity, where before there was only a muddle and confusion.
What’s the difference between coaching, mentoring and counselling?
Coaching is a learning relationship, where the coach doesn’t provide advice or answers. The client wants change in some aspect of their life, and the coach uses powerful questions, within a structured framework to support the client to find their own way forward. The client may be wanting to go from ‘good’ to ‘great’.
Mentoring typically is where the mentor has some seniority and experience in the same field as the mentee, and is therefore in a position to be able to provide the mentee with the benefit of their experience and wisdom.
In a counselling relationship, there is an assumption that the client needs to process some difficult feelings and that the counsellor’s role is to help them feel better.
How long do coaching sessions usually last?
Typically an individual coaching session is around 90 minutes. Telephone coaching is usually shorter, often around an hour.
What happens in a coaching session?
Coaching starts with an agreement or contract between the client and the coach about how they will work together. This will include agreement about confidentiality, note taking, where the conversations will take place, over how long a period, etc. It also may include the client asking questions about the coach, including experience and qualifications.
The coaching conversation will be focussed, with a clear agreed goal. There may be a larger overall goal, within which there is a smaller goal agreed for a particular session. The coach will invite the client to explore the barriers and blocks to progress, as well as employing tools and techniques to promote and stimulate creative thinking and ideas. This leads to possibilities and options, and ultimately a plan for moving forward.
The coach will hold the client to account for their agreed plan and explore reasons for why things haven’t happened, to enable learning for future planning.
Who are your clients?
Our clients are individuals or groups, and come from a variety of backgrounds. In coaching at end of life, the client may be the professional, or carer, or the patient.
Who are your courses for?
Our courses are for carers, individuals and professionals interested in a coaching approach to conversations.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary according to location and length, but typically individual coaching is around £120/hour.