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Coaching FAQ
What is coaching?
There are many definitions – my training school has a good one here where they also briefly outline the differences between coaching and its various cousines – such as mentoring, counselling, consulting and training.
I see the coaching conversation as a partnership between you (the client) and me (the coach) to explore a challenge – that over time has the outcome of achieving a personal or professional goal. You might have a specific goal in mind, or just be feeling stuck in one or more areas of your life.
What is the format?
My coaching sessions are around 50-60 mins. You’ll bring a subject that’s important to you and I’ll support your exploration by listening, reflecting, asking questions – maybe challenging you from time to time.
We can do it over a cup of coffee in person, over a video call, or during a walk in a London park or my nearby Chilterns woods.
What is discussed remains private and confidential.
What are some coaching outcomes I might expect?
The sessions aim to clarify your values, strengths, and areas for growth and also devise strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving your goals.
You will build up self-awareness and better undestand your motivations and drivers.
Over the long-term, you will feel fully resourced to tackle personal and professional challenges yourself – the coaching can taper off to be less frequent and/or cease.
Do you coach in particular areas?
You can bring any topic you like. I have specialisms as detailed around this site – classical music, leadership, digital, self-employment, careers – that may draw you to coaching with me vs another coach, but it can be in any area and the coaching space will provide value even if the subject matter is something I know nothing about! (Some of the training suggests it’s even better this way.)
My service isn’t mentoring and it’s not about giving advice.
No advice?
Crucially coaching is non-directive so I won’t be telling you what to do or pretend I have answers that are right for you! However, the coaching sessions give you space to explore the issues you bring whilst I, the coach, will ask questions to stimulate your thinking so that you can map your own path forward.
What areas of life and work appeal to you to coach?
Areas of interest that particularly resonate for me include: career change, change generally, relationships, leadership, money/finances, performance anxiety, health and fitness goals, technology.
However, during my training and recent coaching encounters I’ve seen recurring themes arise including loneliness/isolation, imposter syndrome and overwhelm. These are areas that increasingly interest me because I have seen such profound shifts occur for clients (and previously for myself) during the coaching process.
What are the walking sessions?
Same as the seated/indoor/face-to-face ones but walking. I live in the Chilterns with the woods on my doorstep and several inspirational walks – and I can select one to fit our timeframe. There is visitor parking you can use, and we’d start the session on your arrival and end at your car.
Some conversations are well served being in nature, and some people feel more comfortable opening up in this setting.
How much do you charge?
A c.30-min discovery call is near-free – I just ask for the price of a nice cup of coffee! This can be bought in person or remotely/virtually using Buy me a Coffee.
My newly-qualified rate will be £60/session initially, rising after my first year. Existing clients are eligible for a discount.
Confidentiality
I follow the ICF’s (International Coaching Federation) Core Values, Code of Ethics and Competencies. All conversations are private and confidential.