How is coaching different from therapy?
While a therapist focuses on the past and on emotional healing, a coach works on building emotional strength looking forward. A coach is more collaboratively engaged in building a plan to support you in manifesting what's next for you. The coaching relationship is a more active back and forth, co-creative, positive process. While change can bring up emotions, a Coach is not a Therapist. If a situation requiring significant emotional healing and attention arises for which the coach is not qualified to advise or support the client, she has an obligation to set limits the work, and to offer referrals to mental health professionals as additional resources for the client. Coaching works nicely in tandem with therapy for many people.
How is coaching different from consulting?
Consultants are experts in a particular field that help a client identify problems, and advise her on how to fix those problems, whereas coach is not an expert on the subject of her client's life, and does not approach the client as a problem to be solved or fixed. You as the client, in a coaching relationship, lead with the content of each session, and you make choices about how to proceed. The coach holds the space for a client to enact change in her own life, and gently holds her accountable for her own commitments.
How do I know if I'm ready to be in a coaching relationship?
Here are some questions to think about to help you know if coaching would best serve you. Are you ready for things to start changing in your work or life situation? If your life has gone and changed on you, are you ready to turn it into true opportunity? Can you make a commitment of at least three months to this process? Are you willing to practice communicating from a real place, directly, and to be prepared for your coach to do the same? Are you truly ready to take steps toward what you want, with new tools and support?
How does the coaching relationship work?
The coach/client relationship starts with an initial coaching session. In this call, we learn about each other and you get to experience thirty minutes of pure coaching. Then, we check in about the experience, and decide then and there if we want to work together. The coaching commitment with Unfold is for a minimum of three months, with a full curriculum of six to eight months. The month of coaching happens around three to four dates for hour-long appointments, most likely by phone. The epicenter of the work happens in the clients life and actions, in between each call. The client always takes the lead in each session while the coach holds the framework. The entire process is based around choice, deep listening, powerful questions, observations and requests. The coach always assumes that the client is perfect before he walks in the door, and the client not the coach does the work for his life and vision.