Coaching

What is Coaching?

Coaching is a type of learning; a facilitative, solution-focussed process which moves you towards achieving a specific goal. For example, you might like a coaching session or two to…

• Identify your signature strengths – and decide if you are using them effectively and purposefully
• Check what your values are at this point in your life – and whether you are honouring them in the way you live now
• Creatively manage stress and inoculate yourself against the negative impacts of (bad) stress
• Learn how to improve self-esteem – and, as a natural by-product, lift your confidence and your communication skills
• Recognise and shift a tendency toward a negative thinking style (an inherent part of depressive, anxious states)
• Identify any old limiting beliefs which may be holding you back
• Set short term and/or long term goals and identify the necessary steps to achieve them
• … or simply as a sounding board to air your hopes and fears and gain a perspective which better reflects your future goals.

Is coaching therapy by another name?

Not really. Whilst the fields of counselling/therapy and coaching share many theoretical models and techniques, their application usually differs. Coaching as an approach presupposes that the client is functioning well in the world already, and has a good degree of self-insight. Coaching does not aim to explore deeper, underlying issues. It has a more practical, tangible focus (which can evolve during coaching). Goals are set and progress is monitored. If a client becomes ‘stuck’ however, or specific patterns emerge which are undermining potential, then it may be appropriate to explore these from more of a ‘counselling’ perspective.