So what exactly is coaching?

Although both coaching and psychotherapy use knowledge of human behavior, motivation, behavioral change, and interactive communication techniques, there are major differences in the goals, focus, and level of professional responsibility. Although coaching uses certain techniques that are also used in therapeutic settings (such as teaching cognitive skills, reflecting, affirming, and mindfulness training), coaching is not the same as therapy. In some situations, it may be recommend that you enter psychotherapy (with another psychotherapist or counselor) as a condition of continuing coaching.

The focus of coaching is development and implementation of strategies to reach client-identified goals of enhanced performance and personal satisfaction. Coaching may address specific personal projects, life balance, job performance and satisfaction, or general conditions in the client’s life, health, relationships, business, or profession. Coaching utilizes personal strategic planning, values clarification, brainstorming, motivational techniques, and other helping techniques.

With coaching, the client sets the agenda and the success of the enterprise depends on the client’s willingness to take risks and try new approaches. The relationship is designed to be more direct and challenging. You can count on me to be honest and straightforward, asking powerful questions and using challenging techniques to move you forward. You are expected to evaluate progress and when coaching is not working as you wish, you should immediately inform me so together we can both take steps to correct the problem.