Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is coaching?

Coaching is a professional service that creates a synergistic relationship between a coach and client and helps successful people meet and exceed their personal and professional goals. Unlike therapy, coaching doesn't delve into peoples' pasts or analyze their behavior. Instead, it is an action-oriented relationship that helps people use their own strengths and natural talents to live better, more balanced lives at work and at home.

How are you qualified to be a coach?

This is an extremely important question. Coaching is a relatively new and unregulated industry. Unlike lawyers, doctors, or accountants, there are no formal requirements to open a coaching practice or to call oneself a coach. With that information in mind, I am qualified to be a coach in three regards:

  1. First, my experience as an attorney and legal advisor has provided me with the necessary skills to listen, communicate, and help guide people towards their goals with a collaborative action plan. I know the importance of a professional and confidential business relationship.
  2. Second, I have taken formal coursework in personal coaching and graduated from the Coach Training Alliance’s Certified Coach Program, earning the designation of Certified Coach. I understand the coaching process and know how to use coaching sessions effectively to maximize the value and benefit to you.
  3. Third, and perhaps most importantly, my personality and value system is my best qualification. I pride myself on being open, caring, and fully invested in the well-being and success of my clients. My pledge to every client is to help guide them towards greater happiness and fulfillment with honesty, empathy, and a healthy dose of humor.

Are there any contracts involved?

No, there are no contracts. I hate contracts, and I’m a lawyer. While it is standard practice in the coaching profession to ask a client for a three-month financial commitment, I only ask that you be committed to the coaching relationship for as long as we are a team, and that you pay your bills, be nice to animals, protect the environment, brush your teeth, and take your vitamins.

How does a coaching session work?

One of the most important things to know about coaching is that you, the client, are in control of what you want to discuss. Each coaching session starts with a discussion of your “agenda,” or what you want to discuss during the session. The agenda can be about anything you want — a work issue, a career question, a work/life balance problem. The coach’s job is to listen to you and ask probing questions to help you think about your issues and come up with a plan of action to address them. A coach is not there to give you the answers — the beauty of coaching is that it recognizes that you know the answers and simply helps guide you along the path to success. A coach is also there to hold you accountable and ensure that you follow through with your action plan.

Is coaching like therapy or counseling?

No, not at all. It is very important to know that coaches are not legally allowed to treat or diagnose people. Psychologists and counselors are licensed professionals who help people with mental and emotional issues.

Therapy and counseling involve analyzing a person’s past and helping that person resolve difficult and often painful life circumstances through clinical treatment. Coaching, on the other hand, is a forward thinking and action-oriented relationship. Coaching helps people discover the keys to their own success through self-empowerment and accountability. Coaching does not focus on the past, instead it help people discover how to utilize their own talents to achieve their personal and professional goals.

 

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