Is coaching the same as counselling?

Counselling explores how an individual is feeling and how to resolve trauma in order to gain closure and peace of mind. Counselling is a long-term investment used to deal with a range of psychological challenges, including depression, ADHD and other mental health disorders. Coaching is centred on how an individual thinks and is action orientated. Coaching is focused on the application of models and tools to help an individual set specific, clear goals and move forwards with confidence. Coaching is a form of training, usually delivered over a preset number of sessions, designed to focus on removing self-limiting beliefs and harnessing an individual’s potential for sustained, repeatable future success.

Will a coach tell me how to solve my problems?

Coaching is a collaborative journey, where the coach acts as a guide and where the client is very much in the driving seat. The coach lends a critical ear and is a trusted sounding board, providing the client with a safe space to explore and to adapt their own belief systems, in order to move forward in certain areas of their life. A coach will not tell you how to solve your problems; they will give you the tools to solve your problems for yourself.

How many sessions will I need?

It’s difficult to be exact, however, most coaching interventions range from eight to 20 weekly 50 minute sessions, dependant on the goal set and any known or discovered additional factors. Clients often attend coaching sessions with what they believe is a clear objective; the coach’s role is to qualify whether the objective is truly SMART (specific, measurable, acheivable, reaistic and timed) and then to work with the client to identify the quickest, most effective path to resolution or achievement of goal. Progress along this path is entirely in the hands of the client; the coach will hold the client accountable, as it is the client who must do the work. How fast or slow the client is able to complete the tasks required is entirely within their own control.

How does each coaching intervention work? What's the difference between life, career and relationship coaching?

Coaching is the application of tried and tested psycho-analytical models and protocols to help a client solve specific challenges, using the knowledge and answers they hold within themselves. Coaches use a range of structured questioning techniques, to help clients navigate their way through a particular problem. Coaches are both thinking partners and accountability buddies, in as much that they ensure that the client does not lose sight or deviate from the challenge at hand. Coaches also hold the client accountable for their own progress and ultimate success. The client is in control of the process, with the coach supporting their development every step of the way. All coaching methodologies follow a similar process, although the outcomes are distinct, dependant on the desired goal.

Can I have my sessions via video conferencing?

Absolutely. Although Q&A Coaches prefer to work in person, video conferencing is just as effective and productive as in-person consultations. Ultimately, Q&A Coaches work in the way that the client feels most comfortable. Video conferencing is preferable over telephone calls, as body language and eye contact are powerful perceptive tools for the coach in terms of ensuring that the client is and remains comfortable and secure within the safe space of the coaching session.

Can I have sessions after work or at the weekends?

Q&A Coaching provide coaching sessions for clients, Monday to Friday from 11am until 7pm; out of hours consultations can be booked in advance, on request.