What is coaching?

Coaching is where a coach will help support and question an individual so that they can “see the wood for the trees.” By using a coach the coachee can identify issues where they are getting stuck and a coach will be the bridge between where someone is now, and where they want to be.

What is the difference between a coach, a mentor and a counsellor?

A mentor is someone who imparts knowledge so that an individual can learn from them. The mentor is the expert and the mentee is the novice. In coaching, it isn’t about the coaches knowledge as such, it is more about the coaches skill in enabling the client or coachee to identify what they want and how they are going to get it. A counsellor will tend to look at past events and will enable a person to move through traumatic or difficult events where as a coach looks to the future and helps the client identify their own way to make something work for them and to achieve their goals.

Why should I pay a coach rather than talk to friends and family?

A coach is impartial and will never tell you what to do. They will listen and help you to unpick what you are saying and thinking. This will help you to identify what it is that you really want, what is holding you back and they will provide the skills to help you move forward. A coach is your champion no matter what you decide. A friend or family member will often tell you what to do, or will assume particular things that aren’t necessarily true. They are usually trying to be helpful and mean well, but someone who knows you will often have their own agenda as although they want the best for you, it is their version of what is best. You can also be completely honest and open with a coach as it is a non-judgmental and confidential environment.

How long is a coaching session?

On average a session is 1 hour in duration and sessions are booked at least 2 weeks apart. This can of course be tailored to an individual’s requirements as some clients find that a longer more intense session is a more useful way of working for them. Whatever your requirements are, we can discuss what is possible and what will work for you.

Why are packages booked for 3-6 months?

Research has shown that on average people require a minimum 66 days (9 1/2 weeks) to change a behaviour. By using this model for a minimum of 3 months it allows for discussion to identify issues and concerns, time for the coach and coachee to build up trust and rapport and then for consolidation time to allow new behaviours to settle and to address any issues that arise as a result.