WHAT IS COACHING?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:
“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
In a coaching relationship, the goal is to help the client unleash their potential, tap into their own wisdom, and evoke new awareness so that fresh possibilities and approaches are discovered. The role of the coach is not to give advice or "fix" things, but rather to use powerful questions and deep listening to help each client tap into their own expertise to find solutions, create goals, and identify systems of support and accountability to help move towards a desired outcome. Read more here.
IS HAVING A COACH SIMILAR TO HAVING A THERAPIST OR WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT?
Each of these helping professions can be very valuable relationships for individuals to have both personally and professionally, but each is unique. In therapy, often the focus is on healing from the past, whereas coaching is future-oriented (one comparison that resonates with me is that therapy is like archaeology where you explore and learn from the past; whereas coaching is like architecture that is focused on planning and building). In consulting, an outside expert is engaged to guide and advise, whereas coaching is based on the idea that the wisdom lies with the client.
ARE THERE GUIDELINES ON ETHICS AND CONFIDENTIALITY?
Coaches are guided by the ICF code of ethics, which among other things, requires strict confidentiality. A coach will not reveal the coaching relationship to others unless the client gives permission. Feel free to discuss specific questions with me.
HOW LONG DOES COACHING LAST?
In general, coaching sessions are anywhere from 30-60 minutes in length.
A coaching relationship can range from one session to long term; and depending on the nature of the goals that a client is working towards, sessions can be spaced anywhere from once a week to once a month or longer. Often, a good starting point is every other week.
WHAT IS THE FORMAT/PLATFORM FOR COACHING?
Coaching can happen either in person for those local to the Rochester area (at a location TBD) or via Google Meet (I will send a link once a time is set).
WHAT PREPARATION IS NECESSARY FOR A COACHING SESSION?
Come to a first session prepared with something that you would like to talk about and some thoughts about takeaways that you may be looking for. These takeaways will also develop over the course of the session, but it can be helpful information for me as your coach to have if you know that you are looking for something specific.