"Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place." -Paulo Coehlo
What is life coaching? Simply put, life coaching is a collaborative relationship between a client and their coach for the purpose of helping the client realize their greatest personal and professional potential. Coaching is a creative and thought-provoking process in which the client is regarded as an expert in his or her life who possesses strengths, talents, creativity, resources, and know-how. The role of the coach is to provide a completely safe and neutral space for the client and encourage self-discovery, reflection, learning, and problem-solving.
Are there professional standards in the coaching industry? Yes, the International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for the coaching industry and has created a code of ethics, core competencies, accreditation standards, and credentialing programs. Click here to learn more about the ICF and professional coaching standards.
Is coaching like psychotherapy? Coaching is NOT psychotherapy and should not be used as a replacement for psychotherapy. As your coach, I will not be providing any type of therapy, mental health assessment, diagnosis, medical advice, and/or medication management. Psychotherapy involves healing pain, conflict, and dysfunction to promote improved psychological wellness and coping. Coaching is future-focused with an emphasis on personal and professional growth and skill development. While coaching is not a substitute for psychotherapy, it can be a beneficial addition to psychotherapy to help clients begin making forward progress in terms of their personal and professional goals. I am happy to provide you with referrals should you need or desire mental health or other supportive services.
Can coaching help me manage my ADD/ADHD symptoms? Working with a coach specifically trained in ADD/ADHD can be a powerful tool for helping you to better understand how ADD/ADHD is impacting your daily life; identify and use your unique strengths and abilities to your advantage; and create strategies based on your own personal needs and what you wish to achieve. Coaching can help you improve in areas such as focus, follow-through, emotional regulation, organization, planning, and time-management.
Want to learn more? Download an ADHD coaching fact sheet from CHADD for information on the benefits of ADHD coaching as well as important questions and considerations to keep in mind when hiring a coach.
What is a coaching session like? When a client reaches out to me for coaching, the first step is to have a conversation about why the client is seeking coaching and what they would like to achieve. If we determine that coaching is a good fit for the client, we move into regularly scheduled coaching sessions which may be 30 to 60 minutes in length, depending on the client's needs and preferences.
Coaching sessions are conducted in person, over the phone, or via web/video conferencing. During each session, the client decides what we will focus on and what they would like to achieve. In order to support and enhance the client's progress, I often provide various exercises, activities, and resources.
The length of the coaching relationship varies and depends on the client's needs and preferences, however it is recommended that clients receive at least 3 months of coaching to enjoy the full benefit.
What if coaching isn't working for me? I always encourage my clients to openly discuss any concerns or difficulties they are having with the coaching process.
However, please keep in mind that coaching is indeed a PROCESS. Change takes time, effort, commitment, and consistency. While I cannot guarantee your personal success, I can tell you that you will create different results just by having the courage to experiment with your life.
If at any time you feel that coaching is not the right fit for you, I will assist you by providing referrals for other professional services, if needed, as well as a full refund for any unused coaching sessions.
Do you only coach people with ADD/ADHD? Not at all! While coaching has been shown to be incredibly helpful for those with ADHD, it is my belief that anyone can benefit from life coaching. If you are seeking to make meaningful changes in your life, then life coaching is for you!
Can a successful coaching session really be conducted by phone or video conferencing instead of face-to-face in an office? Yes! Conducting coaching sessions remotely via phone or video conferencing gives clients greater scheduling flexibility since they don't need to arrange to be available for an in-person meeting. Further, participating in a coaching session from the comfort of their home may help clients feel more at ease.