Frequently Asked Questions about Life Coaching
ARE YOU A FULLY QUALIFIED LIFE COACH?
Yes. I have a Diploma in Personal Performance & Life Coaching from The Coaching Academy (Distinction). The course took 2 years to complete and was rigorously assessed. I adhere to their Code of Ethics (available on request) The Coaching Academy are pioneers in coach training throughout Europe.
The course is endorsed and accredited by The International Coach Federation which is the gold standard in coach accreditation globally.
I am totally committed to my personal development and regularly attend networking and development meetings in my region, Bristol and London. I read widely on coaching and self development topics and develop training and awareness courses on self development and coaching.
As well as having a professional Training & Development qualification (Grad CIPD), I have 20 years people development experience in Training, Mentoring, Facilitation and Project Implementation.
WHAT DOES THE CLIENT NEED TO KNOW BEFORE LIFE COACHING SESSIONS START?
1/ The Client is told the difference between coaching and counselling and mentoring. This is show below:
- Coaching is different from counselling and mentoring. Coaching is based in the present and future, so does not explore deep, possibly traumatic issues from the client’s past like counselling does.
- Unlike mentoring, the coach never offers advice and the coach has absolute confidence that the client comes up with their own solutions.
2/ Before a coaching session starts, the coach will have spoken to the client for some time finding out what issues they wish to deal with, what they understand about how Life Coaching is different from counselling, mentoring and other talking therapies (see above)
3/ Background information will always be taken by me about the client’s life in the form of a Questionnaire and occasionally in the form of a DISC Personality Test
4/ Ground Rules will be set up and then coaching begins
WHAT ARE GOALS?
There are ‘Being’ ‘Doing’, Having’ and ‘Decision’ Goals.
What are yours?
Successful people think ahead. They know what they want out of life and how to get there through planning (this is sometimes called a goal, but you can call it what you want: ie an aim, a plan, an aspiration, a ‘dream’ even!).
WHAT IS LIFE COACHING AND IS IT RIGHT FOR ME?
Life Coaching is present and future based.
Life Coaching is effectively being listened to by someone who is on your side. The coach will ask what you wish to achieve through Life Coaching ie a goal , plan, desire and help you get there more effectively than if you did it on your own. The session will raise your awareness of your situation which will enable you make decisions and take actions in your life.
The Life Coach will challenge you where necessary and support you to come out with a clear Action Plan. The Life Coach uses powerful questions at times, and tool and techniques that help you take a step back from your life to see ‘the bigger picture’.
My intention is that will come out of a coaching session with a feeling of clarity about your life, more confidence and a stronger feeling of purpose In summary – get your ‘mojo’ back!
I offer a free 30 minute telephone session to make sure you are happy with what Life Coaching can offer you and whether you wish to work with me.
WHO HAS LIFE COACHING?
For personal Life Coaching children can be coached, so all sorts of people of various ages.
People usually have life coaching when they are facing important decisions in life in areas of their personal life, work and health. (The big areas!)
Businesses can also be coached (I specialise in Start Ups and Small Businesses)
DO LIFE COACHES GIVE ADVICE?
No. Coaches never give advice. The coach believes the client has al their solutions.
I offer a separate mentoring, training and facilitation service. Mentoring can be incorporated into coaching sessions at times (to be pre-arranged with client)
IS LIFE COACHING LIKE COUNSELLING OR THERAPY?
No. Life Coaching is present and future based.
A coach will take background details of a client’s situation, but the sessions are heavily weighted on what the client wishes to achieve and looking at solutions
Although the Coach and Counsellors both question the client, listen and paraphrase, the counsellor often deals with traumatic experiences in the client’s past. Life Coaching is not a substitute for Therapy and clients who have deeper emotional or psychological issues, would need to talk to their GP or Therapist. If at any time, I have a client who I believe would be more suited to a more therapeutic approach, I would discuss this with them to make sure they spoke to their GP about a more suitable approach.
HOW IS LIFE COACHING DIFFERENT FROM MENTORING OR CONSULTING?
Again, the listening & questioning skills are similar but Mentoring/Consulting is more useful for clients who want advice from someone who has been in a similar situation to them before and they are looking for someone to show them what they need to do.
HOW DO SESSIONS TAKE PLACE?
They can take place either in person, by phone or by Skype which means you can contact me from anywhere in the world! I can do face-to-face sessions at an agreed location or phone me. If I need to phone you , then any costs incurred will be added (these costs will be agreed with you beforehand).
HOW OFTEN ARE SESSIONS?
Sessions can vary from person to person as well as different times in peoples lives. They can be weekly, fortnightly, monthly or even six-monthly check-in sessions and they can either be booked at the end of the session or in-between sessions.
HOW MANY SESSIONS DO I NEED?
This varies depending on the person. So sometimes 1 or 2 sessions is all that is required to get you on track or it could be 4-6 sessions. It all depends on the client and what is happening for them at that particular time. Ideally a 3 – 6 month stretch of sessions could be used to keep up the momentum of change.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE SESSIONS?
The cost of the sessions do vary depending on time and the means by how I’m coaching. Clients usually pay for coaching as part of a coaching package, or I can also offer individual sessions.Individual sessions last from 30 minutes – 90 minutes. Expect to pay £40 – £90 per session (time dependent and whether it is for individuals or couples). Concessions are available for individual sessions, please apply– from £30 per session. Please enquire – limited availability
Skype and telephone coaching can often work out to be more economical, but again this is dependent on how long the sessions last and what extra services are provided in a Package ie DISC Personality Test, email and telephone support.
DO YOU OFFER COACHING PACKAGES?
Yes. Sometimes coaching sessions need to go over the standard hourly slot. With my Coaching Packing system, I can let each session run to its natural course, knowing that payment is never an issue that’ll stop a coaching session abruptly, or continuing when the main outcomes have been achieved. Naturally, since you are the customer, sessions could be shorter ie quick telephone support when needed
I offer 4, 6, 8 or 12 SESSION PACKAGES.
These sessions will be tailor-made for you and will typically offer :
- A FREE PERSONALITY TEST
- FULL EMAIL SUPPORT during the coaching relationship and for a full month afterwards
- TELEPHONE SUPPORT SERVICE also offered as part of all coaching packages
Payment by instalments is also possible.
Payment by cheque, BACS or Paypal.
Refer a friend scheme –
Gift vouchers are also available – ideal for gifts (charities please contact me)
DO YOU DO GROUP COACHING ?
I offer Group Coaching sessions too. I run a Life Coaching Group at Clarence House, Penzance (4th Wednesday of the month at 10.30am).
I also run an Introductory Life Coaching Group there – occasionally and on request to groups.
Please note that Individual Sessions are most effective as they are completely personal to you. However, Group Sessions can be incredibly powerful too and you can mix Group and individual sessions together.
DO YOU RUN WORKSHOPS?
Yes – I run self development courses to groups on request and at Clarence House, Penzance and Tregenna Castle, St Ives
These will cover subjects such as Work-Life Balance, How to avoid Procrastination, Creating a Life Plan, Goal Setting,Values & Beliefs, DISC Personality Profiling, Assertiveness, Stress, Time Management. Please contact me if you would like further details.
Please contact me to arrange a free introductory session so I can give you more details and see if Life Coaching is right for you. Alternatively, if you have any more questions which aren’t answered above or would like more information, please feel free to contact me.
For more information, or for your free 30 minute coaching consultation click here