Personal and Professional Coaching - Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS COACHING?
Coaching is an effective, personalized relationship to support clients to take action toward their personal and professional desires and goals.

HOW DOES COACHING WORK?
The coach helps clients first to discover their purpose and goals then take action toward them.  A coach accomplishes this by listening, by supporting what is working, by being enthusiastic and sincere, by helping the client identify and resolve roadblocks and by using powerful requests and accountability.  The coaching relationship is confidential, safe and empowering.  Clients who apply themselves to coaching have more focus, more time, more money and greater fulfillment.  They learn to heighten their awareness of internal and self-imposed obstacles and to cultivate an ability to respond to events and circumstances out of choice.  They receive support and acknowledgment. Their lives are more balanced and congruent with their values.

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF COACHING WORK?                                                    Typically, coaching takes place over the phone for half hour sessions on a weekly basis (4 sessions per month). The client and coach establish the client's values and goals and define the nature of the coaching relationship during a foundational session. The foundational session is 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours long and is face to face or may take place over the phone.  Coaching methods can also be integrated in ongoing work with clients.

WHAT ARE TYPICAL COACHING FEES?
Fees range from $250 to $750 per month; the fee for the foundational session is $150 to $500.  Coaching fees are paid at the beginning of the month; the intake fee is paid at the intake session.

HOW CAN PEOPLE KNOW IF THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM COACHING?
Many coaches offer no fee sample sessions.  During the sample session coaching is explained and the coach and caller generate actions that will move the client toward a specific goal.  Arrangements are made for the foundational session or other follow-up.

WHAT ARE THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN COACHING AND THERAPY, SPIRITUAL COUNSELING, PLANNING OR CONSULTING?
The professions listed are similar in that they are based on an ongoing, confidential, one-to-one relationship between professional and client for people seeking guidance in order to improve a situation, pattern or circumstance.  Generally, a therapist works with people who are seeking self-understanding, asking why, dealing with old issues and are seeking resolution and healing from emotional pain or trauma.  Typically, the therapist may assist the client in untangling unconscious conflicts and treat depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, and destructive or abusive behavior.  A spiritual counselor uses prayer to affirm that a universal principle is greater than the condition the client is experiencing.  Planners and consultants are experts with answers or are people who have done what the client is doing.  Coaches work with people who are seeking focus, strategies and motivation and ask how to questions.  The primary focus of coaching is on actions and the future and assisting the client in identifying, prioritizing and implementing choices.  Coaching looks for external solutions to internal blocks.

CAN COACHING BE INTEGRATED WITH OTHER DISCIPLINES?
Coaching methods can be used by anyone who works with others to support change. Therapists can choose to integrate coaching methods in their work with therapy clients or distinguish their therapy and coaching clients. It is imperative that therapists not work alternately as a coach and a therapist with the same client in order to avoid dual relationships.

WHEN IS COACHING COUNTER-INDICATED?
If a client who has presented for coaching is not moving forward, cannot follow through with commitments or lacks the knowledge, skill or ability to move to a higher level of functioning, it is appropriate for the coach to terminate the coaching relationship and/or make a referral.

HOW ARE REFERRALS MADE?
It is essential for a coach to accurately represent their qualifications, experience and expertise. Therefore, the ethical coach immediately refers individuals with psychological issues, legal concerns, medical challenges or other health concerns, or financial considerations or any other concerns outside the area of their training and expertise to a list of appropriate professionals.