Heart Centered Life Coaching

Q.: How does coaching work?

A.: Coaching is a process. It can and does evolve differently over time with each person. But there is a basic structure:

• Most coaches work primarily over the telephone for convenience and economy. • Appointments are made and you call your coach at a pre-scheduled time.
• Prior to each session you'll take a few minutes to fill out an agenda to identify challenges, opportunities, and the focus for that session
• I generally schedule two to four formal sessions per month with my clients.

Q.: How can coaching benefit me?

A.: Personal coaching provides a structure that enables you to identify your passion, clarify your vision, and take active steps toward achieving your dreams. Coaching will provide:

1. The tools you need to change. 2. Objective outside input. 3. A supportive ear. 4. Accountability.

Q.: How does a person know when to hire a coach?

A.: A person knows when to hire a coach when he/she believes, "There has to be something more to my life and I am willing to explore and take action to have my relationships or circumstances be different." Life coaching can be one of the most productive, practical, and fiscally responsible routes a person can take for creating more of what he/she wants in life. People are ready for life coaching when their desire for learning and change outweighs their fears.

Q.: How is coaching different from therapy?

A.: Coaching is for motivated people who want to get more out of their lives. It focuses on a person's strengths, and assists him or her to set and reach important life goals. Psychotherapy is a healthcare service for people with diagnosable mental disorders. People experiencing severe emotional distress or marked functional impairment in one or more areas of their lives would benefit more from psychotherapy. Coaching uses many of the same skills and techniques as psychotherapy, but coaching is not a treatment nor a substitute for treatment for mental disorders.

Q.: How long does coaching take?

A.: That depends on your needs. Some clients seek coaching for a highly specific short-term goal. In this case you may achieve your goal in only a few sessions. Other clients want to achieve dreams that have a number of components, or desire assistance in a series of goals. Depending on the number and complexity of your goals, you may hire a coach for three months, six months, a year, two years, or more. Basically, coaching lasts as long as you continue to receive benefit from it and have unmet goals.

Q.: Does coaching focus on work or personal issues?

A.: Coaching is helpful for either personal or professional issues, or both. It all depends on the needs of the client. The happy, successful life is a balanced life.