What is Coaching

As a certified transformational life coach, the first question I am usually asked is "What is life coaching?" 

 Where did it start?

Not surprisingly, life coaching was only developed in the last 50 years.  As Wendy Buckingham of Life Coaching Professionally stated,  "...the concept and history of life coaching today really starts in the 1980s with Thomas Leonard, an American financial planner.  Leonard observed that his clients, though emotionally stable and hardly needing therapy, wanted more from him than just the usual tips on how to invest and safeguard their incomes. They wanted help in organizing their lives better and planning and achieving their goals.  As a result of his observations, Leonard’s career gradually shifted from financial planning to full-time developing of the techniques which were to become the origin of life coaching methodology.  At the time he called it “life-planning”. Within a few years, he was coaching and training people in those specific coaching skills which were complimentary but quite different to those practiced by therapists, mentors and consultants. "

What it IS and what it's NOT

The International Coach Federation (www.coachfederation.org) defines coaching as "partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential."  In other words, as a coach, I help people find who they are at their core, and celebrate that.  Coaching is not about fixing someone or solving their problem. It is a relationship built on developing thought processes that serve the client.

1. Coaching is a Partnership - this is a collaborative process between the coach and coachee (or client) that is 100% focused on the person being coached. Safety and trust are hallmarks of coaching that are mandatory for progress.

2. Coaching starts where the client is today - A coach's perspective is that the client is already whole and complete. We do not have a "fix-it" mindset. Instead, we look for clues, dig for treasure and listen to what is not being said, spending time asking questions and pointing out what's been forgotten.

3. Coaches clarify and accelerate people's potential - Coaches help people make forward progress. They develop you deeper, faster, and further than you could alone.  Coaches look beyond solutions and work to shine a light on internal perspectives, beliefs, and assumptions.  

4. A Coach is NOT a therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.  A mental health professional is about recovery. Coaching is about discovery. Generally, therapy is used to recover from pain or dysfunction (often manifesting after a specific instance from the past), bringing the person into a healthy present. Coaches begin in the healthy present and move to create and discover the future.

5. A Coach is NOT a consultant. In consulting, a client works with a consultant who is recognized as an expert in their field, and who has a set of solutions for the client to follow. The consultant is responsible for the desired outcome. Coaches acknowledge that the expert is the person being coached. They are capable of generating their own solutions, and the coach provides a guided path of discovery that deepens the expert level of the person being coached on themselves. Coaches empower the coachee to do the work. The coach is responsible for guiding the process, but not the outcome.

6. A Coach is NOT a mentor. A mentor shares their knowledge, skill, and experience with someone wanting to take the same or similar path that the mentor has already taken. The mentor's experiences and knowledge determine their focus on the steps a mentee should take. In a coaching relationship, the client's experiences are the most important. A coach may share their experiences or expertise, but they hold their advice loosely and do not promote themselves as a role model.

When is the WRONG time for a Life Coach?

While coaching can have positive benefits for our emotional and mental well-being, it's not clinical mental health care. For those experiencing symptoms of mental health conditions (like severe anxiety, depression, bipolar, PTSD, or any other mental illness), seek professional help. A trained mental health professional will be able to support you in your mental health journey, not a life coach. 

Think of it as a supplemental practice to your mental health care, not a substitute. 

What will you find as a result of Life coaching?

As a life coach, I can guide you in identifying your goals and laying out a clear plan to achieve them. With my support and accountability, you can stay focused and motivated toward achieving your objectives. Additionally, I can help you develop new skills and habits that can positively impact your life and relationships. Overall, working with me can be a truly fulfilling and enjoyable experience, leading to a more satisfying life.

If you still have questions about life coaching...

Let's schedule a free 30-minute appointment so we can chat on the phone. I'm more than happy to answer any additional questions you may have, and we can even try a mini-session to give you a glimpse of what life coaching is like. Just let me know when works best for you! You will be under no obligation, and if we find we are a good match, we can move forward. Schedule your "Expedition Call" Here.