What is coaching?
Coaching is a modern profession which grew out of a growing recognition that most people need some help and guidance to make the best of their lives, achieve personal success and manage change in their lives. Life coaching, also referred to as personal coaching, is based on the philosophy that, with the right encouragement, we can take control of our lives and find the answers to what we want and how to get it, within ourselves. It starts with the assumption that we as people are perfect the way we are and can achieve whatever we want with the right guidance and encouragement. It is non-judgemental and non-directive, and is about drawing out clients abilities and developing their view of themselves and the world rather than directing and instructing.
Coaching is a discipline which takes into account the entire person and assists people to develop in a variety of areas. As a consequence many areas of specialisation have developed, some of which have become new coaching disciplines in their own right, such as executive coaching for corporate performance, career coaching, personal performance coaching, leadership coaching, etc. All these specialist areas are based on the same principle, that of looking at the whole person and working with them to find answers for themselves to the challenges they face in life and work.
What are the differences between coaching, counselling and therapy?
Therapy, counselling and coaching share a common aim which is to help clients to improve their lives, but go about it in different ways.
The main difference between coaching and other professions which guide people's lives is that coaching in itself will not supply all the answers - they will come from the client. The coaching process assumes that clients are well, able and willing to be responsible for their own lives and prepared to commit to change.
Counselling and therapy seek to resolve issues from the past to help clients to gain a more positive perspective to deal with the future. Coaching, on the other hand, focuses on the future and assumes that clients are ready and prepared to make changes to improve their lives.
Counselling and therapy aim to resolve problems, or at least help clients to deal with them more effectively. Coaching looks at creating new goals and helping clients to achieve them.
Finally, in more traditional therapies, the therapist is the ‘expert' and the client is there to be guided, whereas the relationship between a client and a coach is much more of a partnership created to move a client forward.
Is life coaching appropriate for all problems?
No. Life coaching is about looking ahead to make the most of the future from a healthy starting point, and is not appropriate in situations where clients are mentally ill, addicted to drugs or alcohol or suffering from certain serious medical conditions. There are situations in which counselling and other forms of therapy can run alongside coaching. Your coach should be able to advise you what form of help you will benefit from most and how to find it.
How do I know if coaching is right for me?
Read around the subject if you haven't already done so.
Give me a ring to discuss it! I can tell you more about the process and give you a taste of what coaching can offer you. There's no obligation.
Can't I get similar support from my friends?
Friends are invaluable to all of us, but they may find it difficult to be straight with you in certain situations. They have their own interests in their relationship with you and may find themselves having to compromise in what they say. They are also likely to want to share their experiences and advice with you, which may not be what you need.
A coach is professionally trained to ask questions and guide you in reaching your own decisions. They are non-judgemental and non-directive, and will not offer you advice unless you specifically request it of them.
Coaches operate in a strictly confidential manner, so nothing you say will ever come back to haunt you!
Your coach has nothing to gain or lose from your decisions except the pleasure of seeing you succeed so you can be confident that he or she will always be on your side.
Your coach is there for you for the entire time you are being coached. She will not become bored or impatient. A good coach will really listen to what you have to say, which in itself can be a rewarding and positive experience.
If you have a question that is not covered here please contact me
either by phone 01637 871070
or email enquiries@lifecoachsouthwest.co.uk.