What is coaching?
At its core, coaching is about creating a safe, non-judgemental listening environment away from the pressures and distractions of day-to-day life, where the coachee is truly listened to. Coaches are different from mentors in that they do not offer advice but instead use this space, away from the pressures of day to day life, to help the coachee to think well, by listening, reflecting back what they have heard and asking insightful questions. My training at the Barefoot Academy included lots of tools which I may also use, where they can be helpful. Coaching can help with lots of issues both inside and outside of work, for example achieving a particular goal, life transitions such as looking to change career change, progression or retirement, decision making, confidence, beliefs or habits which are stopping you reach your potential, time management and relationships.
How is coaching different to counselling or psychotherapy?
While counselling and psychotherapy are mainly focussed on the past and how that is impacting on the present, coaching is mainly focussed on the present and the future. That said, our pasts shape who we are so we can refer to past events in coaching but if there is any unresolved pain or trauma, it may be necessary for the coachee to work with a counsellor before or alongside the coaching sessions. The coachee will normally have a particular goal or issue to deal with, which may be a vague wish or feeling that needs further exploration. This will be explored over a defined number of sessions, usually five or six but may be more.
Testimonials
‘Charles was great. He was patient, empathetic, and imaginative in his approach. I found some of the exercises particularly helpful, especially the cast of characters that really helped me understand what motivates and what hinders me.”
‘The coaching sessions I had with Charles proved very effective in terms of enabling me to create and develop a career plan for this point in my life. Charles is an exceptionally good listener, asking relevant and important questions and the sessions were a safe space to consider, develop and refine my ideas.’
‘I worked with Charles over six sessions and had a fantastic experience. I was initially skeptical about the life coaching approach, but Charles is a very welcoming and friendly coach who immediately put me at ease, and I made significant progress in confidence and stress management to an extent that I could not have anticipated. I would highly recommend Charles to anyone looking for a life coach.’
