FAQs : Frequently Asked Questions
Shouldn’t I be able
to figure out all this stuff myself?
Will everything we discuss
be confidential?
What does coaching cost?
What are your speaking fees?
How long can I expect to
be involved with coaching?
How is coaching different
from consulting or therapy?
How do I know if coaching
is for me or if I’m ready for coaching?
How did you become a coach?
What are your qualifications?
How will I know if you are
the right coach for me?
Shouldn’t
I be able to figure out all this stuff
myself?
It’s not that you can’t get
through life without a coach —
you can. What I know is that over the
course of our lives, we have access to
all kinds of guides. At different times
it might be helpful to enlist the support
of a financial expert, a spiritual advisor,
a therapist, a doctor, a holistic healer,
a business consultant, or a professional
coach. Different phases of our lives
call for different kinds of guidance.
I
believe the reason the coaching profession
came about was that, today, we have many
more choices about how we can live our
lives. This is both wonderful and overwhelming.
People are seeking more than success.
They want meaning, fulfillment, self-expression,
and to know they are making a contribution.
By the time a gifted runner makes it to the Olympics, she knows her way around the track, but there is no way she wants to make that trip without her coach. When a violinist virtuoso steps onto the stage at Carnegie Hall, he knows his coach didn’t give him the talent — that was something he was born with — but it was his coach who helped him perfect it. It’s the same for you. Enlist support, invest in yourself, and you will be capable of more than you can imagine.
Will
everything we discuss be confidential?
Yes, everything that is discussed during
your coaching session remains completely
confidential and I will not give out
your name without permission. I adhere
to the strict professional
ethics and rigorous competency guidelines
of the International Coach Federation.
What
does coaching cost?
I offer a variety of coaching packages
to suit your needs. The group coaching
format ranges from a modest fee, such
as $45 for a class or workshop to $185/month
for a more involved program. The private
coaching format is typically $375/month,
depending on the particular arrangement.
More intensive programs may range from
$450-$600/month. Coaching fees are paid
via credit card each month in advance.
A formal coaching arrangement includes
additional shorter calls and email contact
between sessions at no additional cost.
You may also purchase a la carte coaching sessions or packages of four.
Coaching is an investment. Two questions I ask every client at the beginning of our work together are: How will you make sure that you get the most out of our coaching relationship? How will you know that your coaching has been effective and that you are getting more than your money’s worth?
What
are your speaking fees?
Speaking fees (for keynotes, workshops,
or retreats) are quoted on a customized
basis and depend on the particular program
being delivered as well as the materials.
How
long can I expect to be involved with
coaching?
I recommend you commit to coaching for
a minimum of 3-6 months, as the benefits
of coaching build over time. With many
of my clients, I have developed long
term relationships through which, after
having taken a break, they return to
coaching when a new milestone, goal,
or perspective has surfaced.
I am also happy to coach you for a short term focus if you have an immediate project or goal on which you are working.
How
is coaching different from consulting
or therapy?
Coaching is different from consulting
and therapy. A person might opt for consulting
services when he or she wants to access
specialty knowledge or expertise in a
particular subject. Therapy is chosen
when emotional blocks, past issues, or
clinical matters need to be addressed.
By contrast, coaching is action-oriented
and focuses on the present and future.
People who are at a point where they
want a mentor to support them in generating
and implementing their own solutions
select coaching. Depending on the circumstances,
therapy, consulting, and/or coaching
can be complementary and may occur over
the same time period.
How
do I know if coaching is for me or if
I’m ready for coaching?
Coaching may be for you if:
- You feel that you are on the verge of something new but don’t necessarily know what that something is.
- You value an objective point of view.
- You want to be challenged.
- You appreciate the collective wisdom of others’ experiences.
- You want to bridge the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
You are ready for coaching if:
- You want a guide to support you in considering new directions and potential opportunities.
- You want to turn insight into action.
- You appreciate support through the process of change.
- You are willing to invest the time, money, and energy involved with implementing change because you know the reward is well worth it.
- You have promised yourself that you will not settle for anything less than a richly fulfilling life.
How
did you become a coach? What are your
qualifications?
Some of my talents as a coach are innate
and other skills have been developed
through my life and business experiences.
I have always been a student of personal
development, naturally gravitating to
the questions of human potential and
personal change. During my 15 year corporate
career I participated in various leadership
development programs and, as a manager,
was known for my ability to mentor and
help people develop and challenge themselves.
Over my career, I learned from the masters
of personal development such as Stephen
Covey, Tony Robbins, and various others.
I discovered the field of coaching four years before leaving the corporate environment when I was researching the field of motivational speaking. As I learned more about the growing coaching profession, I knew it was for me. I eventually obtained my education to become a professional coach from Coach U, a leading global provider of coach training programs. Since graduating from Coach U, each year I participate in various continuing education programs so that I can learn about new approaches and tools in personal development and bring them to my clients.
You can read more about my background here.
How
will I know if you are the right coach
for me?
I offer a free consultation during which
you can tell me what has brought you
to consider coaching and we can explore
how coaching can possibly support you
in your endeavor. I’m also happy
to provide you with additional resources
and to introduce you to other coaches
or experts to consider. It usually becomes
quite clear if we are a good fit and
then, if it’s a go, the next step
is to exchange logistical information
and schedule your first session.
