Is coaching like therapy or mentorship?

There are tons of trained professionals who can help you! Here are their main focuses, in a nutshell. 

• Therapists and clinical counsellors are medical professionals who are trained in addressing past trauma.

• Mentors are experts in their field who help advise those who are less experienced in the same field.

• Consultants are specialists who are paid to provide you with a solution or answers. 

A professional coach focuses on helping you get really clear on what you want, shifting daily habits and designing actions, strengthening your mindset and providing accountability so that you can reach your future goals now.

When I’m choosing a coach to hire, do credentials matter?  

The honest answer is… it depends.

Unlike clinical counselling, therapy or medicine, the coaching industry is unregulated. This means that anyone can call themselves a coach if they want to.

That means that it’ll be important for you to decide if having a coach who is credentialed matters to you.

Here are some things to consider:

• Ask you potential coach if they are ICF certified. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the global organization that approves coach training programs and certifications. If a coach is ICF certified, it means that they have met certain qualifications for training, hours, exams, and they abide by the ICF Code of Ethics.

• If they are not ICF certified, ask them what coach specific training they do have. If they haven’t gone through any coach specific training, you might ask what specific professional experience they have and how that informs their coaching approach and philosophy. Many coaches aren’t certified but have extensive professional experience and may be a great fit anyway!

• If they don’t have any training and can’t tell you how their experience informs their coach, it might be a good idea to keep going on your search.

When hiring a coach, it’s important for you to trust and feel comfortable with them, so ask any questions you might have!

How long will we work together?

This really depends on you, as all coaching relationships are completely customized or each client. An average timeframe is 6 months, but can range from 3 months to years depending on your preference and working style.

What kind of results can I expect?

We will work together to clarify them, but ultimately the goals we work on together are up to you. Your coaching program will be fully customized to support your personal and professional goals. 

Here are some examples of things I’ve worked with clients on in the past: 

• Career transitions

• Promotion and/or Raise Negotiations 

• Launching a new creative or business endeavour 

• Having tough conversations with your boss, colleagues, friends and family

• Strengthening leadership skills including confidence, influence and communication 

• Leading new teams effectively

• Navigating big life changes

Want to learn more? Click HERE to read what my clients have to say.

Coaching sounds great, but why should I work with YOU?

The truth is that there are thousands of really amazing coaches out there! It is part of a coach’s job to push you our of your comfort zone but that doesn’t mean they feel that you shouldn’t feel safe with them, so it’s important to find one that you jive with.

When choosing a coach, here are things you might think about:

• What’s their background?

  • I have over 15 years of diverse experience with leadership roles in sales, recruitment, higher education, human resources and operations - across 3 countries!

• Are they accredited?

  • See previous FAQ about ICF Certification. My specific credentials are as an ICF Certified Executive Coach.

• Do they have a specialty?

  • Not all coaches do, but if you have a specific goal you are looking to achieve then a specialized coach may be beneficial. My areas of focus include career & life transitions, and leadership & personal development.

• Do their values work with yours?

  • My core values are joy, courage, and gratitude, and you can be sure that they show up in my sessions. Not sure what yours are? I can help with that too!

• What’s their style?

  • If you’re looking for someone who is very formal all the time, I can refer you to some great coaches because that is just not me. I have been described as a “gentle spear wrapped in love” - I will ask the questions that pierce straight to the heart of the matter while making sure you feel safe and supported the whole time.

Sound like a good fit? Let’s chat!