FAQ
I am interested, now what?
Now that you are ready to take the first step, you need to:
1. Work out whether you would like to work face to face, over skype/phone or a combination of the 2
If you are not sure yet, you can read of some things my past clients have said, or have a look at the 'are you ready for coaching' questions. Or, of course drop me a line and I can help you with any questions or have a chat on the phone with you to help you to decide.
There is no set answer to this question as every client has different needs and progresses at different speeds. However, after an initial conversation I can estimate approximately how many sessions we may need. Coaching is different to therapy or counselling which are generally longer interventions that often involve 20+ sessions. Typically, the number of coaching sessions would be 4 - 6.
My goal is to work with my clients in a smart, speedy and effective way to enable then to get the outcome that they need in the shortest possible time. Also, due to my experience and tool kit I can often enable clients to progress quicker than less experienced coaches (this obviously depends on individual circumstances).
My standard session length is 60mins, however I can be flexible through prior arrangement and can do longer sessions - especially relevant if we are looking at a doing a 'break through' session or if you have a long way to travel and want to make it more worthwhile.
Fees vary depending on the length of session, location and method of communication used. Please contact me for further details. However you’ll find a few sessions of life coaching can be cheaper than a long weekend away - and last a life time!
When comparing the costs of different life coaches out there, it is a little different to buying a litre of petrol! We are all individual, and have different toolkits and levels of experience, so it is important to get an estimate from any coach about how many sessions they think you will need, as opposed to just how much each session is.
As part of my philosophy on coaching, it is very important that my clients feel they are getting value for money. Therefore if necessary I am willing to offer a refund or a discount if someone feels the coaching has been a waste of their time and money and they are not satisfied. I have had this satisfaction guarantee for the last 10 years and only had to offer it once!
My goal is to make every session we have interesting and beneficial to you right from the beginning, however, in some cases it may take a couple of sessions for the real benefit of the progress to become apparent to you, in which case bear with it and trust that everything we do has a positive intention and purposeful.
I currently coach from two locations in the London area: London Bridge and Hampton. I can also travel to you, however I may charge extra for this depending on the location.
I also do coaching over phone and skype. This medium of coaching can be just as effective for some forms of coaching and change work. I can advise on what types of change it is effective for.
Often with clients I work with them using a mixture of face to face and phone sessions depending on their diary commitments and the type of session we need.
Getting more out of life increasing sense of motivation and purpose
Career decisions and development
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development
Confidence and self esteem
Relationship decisions
Increasing flexibility or creativity
Overcoming procrastination
Overcoming anxiety and fear
Setting life goals
Work life balance, and stress management
Improve communication effectiveness
If you want to know more about whether you are ready for coaching, have a go at answering the questions here.
How does coaching fit with other coaching or more therapeutic interventions ?
Life coaching is a profession focused on the health and wellness of individuals. It is not counselling or psychotherapy. Coaching looks from today forwards, not at the past. However through my experience and background I am able to take a more therapeutic stance if need be. I am experienced and trained in NLP, hypnotherapy and counselling, so I have the ability, if relevant, to take my coach hat off for a bit, and support you through an 'issue' from the past. Please note I will be overt with you if I believe that an issue that has arisen is not a good fit with my experience or skill set, and recommend that you consider another intervention before recommencing your coaching.
Coaching can complement your work with other therapies and counselling, and good therapists often suggest that you do use a coach to complement their work especially as it get towards the end. Life coaching is not an appropriate support for severe mental illness or if you are under psychiatric section or supervision.
There is a new realm of psychology called positive psychology. Life coaching and NLP have a lot to offer that discipline. Many people aren't actually 'ill' or 'broken' and don't need 'fixing' (even if it might feel like you do). If you are in doubt about whether what I do is right for you, drop me a line. Back to FAQ list
I am member of the Association for Coaching and work to their code of ethics. Coaching is not a statutory regulated profession, however as a young profession is becoming more self-regulated now with bodies such as the Association for Coaching, the ICF, ILM, and CIPD all influencing standards of working and professionalism. So while, in theory, anyone can set themselves up as a coach (just as they could a plumber, mechanic or hairdresser), you can see that I have been doing this for many years now, with a variety of qualifications and memberships. See here. In addition, my code of practice is:
My mission is to provide my clients with the help and support they need. Not to 'sheep dip' you in a generic process.
I place responsibility on the client to inform me if they feel they are not getting value from us working together.The client's progress will be reviewed regularly and feedback is actively encouraged.
Throughout the coaching process, the client is under no obligation to undertake further sessions.
I offer a satisfaction guarantee - I am willing to offer a refund or a discount if someone feels the coaching has been a waste of their time and money and they are not satisfied. (NB: I would expect principle of reasonableness and a discussion to be applied to this guarantee)
I help you make decisions and gain clarity
I help you understand what you want out of life
I help you gain insight and awareness about your world works.
I help you set goals and determine your values, beliefs and identity
I help you understand how and why you think and feel the way you do
I help you cure your phobias, anxieties, or compulsions
I use the latest techniques from the field of NLP to enable to have greater control over your state
Above all, I listen to your issues and goals, and then enable you to solve them and achieve them.
Patronise you or make value judgements
Promise what I can't deliver
Give you all the answers - I will, however, help you decide what you want for yourself
Predict your future, cleanse your aura, or rearrange your furniture
Is life coaching, the all conquering miracle I have been looking for then?
No, probably not. Life coaching is not a miracle (although the results for some often seem miraculous!) and also it not a passive process. It is about you taking responsibility and realising what you need to do, and how easy it can be to do it, if you get the state and belief system right first.
Also, coaching uphill rarely works! If someone doesn't want to come to coaching, as it is a non-directive process, it might not work. I often get asked by well meaning spouses/parents/friends etc whether they can buy a session to gift to someone, which is a wonderfully caring gesture, but it is really important to check whether that person is at least open (they don't have to be completely convinced, yet) to the concept of coaching. Back to FAQ list
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