FAQs
What is coaching?
Coaching is about helping you get to where you want to go in life.
It’s about bridging the gap between potential and performance, using tried-and-tested tools and strategies.
It’s about empowering clients to hop into the driver’s seat and take control of their own lives.
It’s about supporting a person to change in the way they wish and helping them go in the direction they want to go; supporting them at every level in becoming who they want to be; building awareness, empowering choice and leading to positive change.
Coaching is time-limited, normally in organised in blocks of three, six or nine sessions, goal oriented and client-led: you set the tone and schedule.
What sort of things does a coach cover?
Anything where a goal can be set. I’m not just talking about exam preparation, career planning, work/life balance and other work or learning related elements but also the stuff of life: wellbeing and health goals, better communication and relatsionhips, working with anxiety, stress and self esteem issues that might be holding you back, and so on.
If you can visualise it, you can achieve it.
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
Put very simply, counselling and therapy is about looking at issues in the past in order to heal the present while coaching is about looking at the present to see where you can go in the future.
While it’s very common to work with self-limiting beliefs, deep worries and self-esteem issues, coaching is not suitable for complex mental health issues. If I feel that any coachee could benefit from speaking to a therapist, I will work with and support them to access the appropriate help. If there are waiting lists, I can hold the space until a therapeutic space becomes available.
How do I know if therapy or coaching is better for me?
While counselling and coaching both involve listening and support, coaching is focused on bridging the gap between potential and performance. If you or your child are dealing with suicidal ideation, self harm, eating disorders, trauma or phobias, please speak to your GP or medical practitioner as soon as possible.
If you are not sure, when we have our introductory chat, if I feel that you would be better served with therapy, I will signpost you in the right direction to get the help you need.
How does it work?
The first step is for the client and I to meet (normally virtually) for a free introductory chat to see if coaching is right for you and/or your child. During that session we will get to know each other and get a feel for what areas the coachee would like to work on.
If coaching seems like a fit, the first session will be about setting goals in a specific area, then putting in place a programme working towards that goal. If other issues or blocks come up along the way – which is very common – we work on solutions to get round the block, or switch direction to better reflect the client’s needs.
Sessions are generally solution focused with a plan in mind, and as a result, coaching is time-limited, generally 6-12 sessions, ie half a term or a term. Sessions are normally booked in blocks of three or six. Each session is 55 minutes for adults, 35-55 minutes for older teens and 25-40 minutes for younger teens or those with shorter attention spans. It’s about working as smartly as possible.
The session payment includes wraparound care, ie planning sessions in advance and following up with clients, supporting them to practice their tools and helping them ‘stick to the plan’.
Why are sessions with my child confidential? I want to know what is going on.
I am bound by ethical rules of confidentiality whether my client is an adult or adolescent. Coaching is a safe space for someone to share their worries, fears and aims, and it is most successful in a relationship based on trust and confidence. Some children are very relaxed about disclosure, some will not progress unless they are sure it is private.
With the client’s permission and without compromising the space, I can tell parents or the school about ‘homework’ that needs to be practised or and the general area under discussion. Meetings with stakeholders, ie parents or the school, or both, at certain points of the coaching journey are also very beneficial.
If a child or young person is considered to be at risk of significant harm from others or to themselves as a result of information disclosed, then disclosure will be made following CPA guidelines.
What qualifications do you have?
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Practitioner Coach Diploma in Adult and Adolescent Coaching.
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Accredited by the International Authority for Coaching and Mentoring
- Stage II Counselling (stage IV is fully qualified)
- MiSP mindfulness introductory course
Like counsellors and therapists, School Coaches are required to have qualifications at Diploma, Masters and/or Doctorate level, appropriate insurance, be DBS checked, have completed current safeguarding and child protection training, to stay up to date with CPD as required by their accreditation body and also be in regular supervision by someone who is also appropriately trained and qualified with a training and accreditation body. I am fully compliant.