What is life coaching?
How will coaching help me?
What does it cost?
How long does it take?
Why do you coach on the telephone?
What are your qualifications?
How are you regulated?
Is coaching confidential?
Is coaching counselling or therapy?
Why do I need a coach when I have supportive friends and family?

What is life coaching?

Coaching is a partnership that helps a client achieve results in their personal and professional life. Coaching gives the client better understanding, better results and a better quality of life. With the coach the client will define their values, goals and limiting beliefs. Through questioning and listening the coach will help the client gain a clearer focus and awareness of choice. The relationship will provide consistent commitment to move the client towards their goals. Coaching focuses on where the client is now and identifies what they are able to do to get to where they want to be.

How will coaching help me?

IN 1998 The International Coach Federation surveyed clients to identify the benefits of coaching. Some of the results included:

Increase Self-awareness: 67.6%
Setting better goals: 62.4%
More balanced life: 60.5%
Lower stress levels: 57.1%
Self-discovery: 52.9%
Self-confidence: 52.4%
Improvement in quality of life: 43.3%
Enhanced communication skills: 39.5%
Project completion: 35.7%
Health or fitness improvement: 33.8%
Better relationship with boss/co-workers: 33.3%
Better family relationship(s): 33.3%
Increased energy: 31.9%
More fun: 31.9%

What does it cost?

Catherine offers a free 45min session for you to experience coaching for yourself with no cost or obligation. Individual coaching over the telephone costs £50 per 45 minute session. Block booking sessions receive a 10% discount. Please see Services and Fees for more details.

How long does it take?

Each session is 45 minutes. Some clients achieve the results they want in just one session. However if you are looking for changes in your life and want to get long lasting results, a series of sessions works best . By giving yourself the time over at least 6 sessions, you can understand your values, tackle limiting beliefs and design the life you deserve.

Why do you coach on the telephone?

Coaching over the telephone provides greater flexibility, comfort and value for money for the client. You telephone the coach at an appointed time, without having to travel and from the comfort of your own home. Although some people can find the concept difficult at first, many people find that being coached over the telephone helps them be more open, honest and creative.

What are your qualifications?

Catherine has been awarded a Diploma in Coaching Practice from Coaching and Mentoring International. The course is accredited by the Open College Network.

In addition to this Catherine is a qualified Occupational Therapist and has 16 years experience of working in the NHS.14 of these years have been working with people experiencing mental health problems. Her work has focused on increasing motivation and enabling people to achieve the things that are important to them. She also has 10 years experience of supporting and developing staff.

How are you regulated?

At present there is no statutory governing body that regulates coaching. However, Catherine is an accredited coach and member of Coaching and Mentoring International and adheres to their code of ethics.

Is coaching confidential?

For coaching to work well there needs to be a trusting relationship. The content of sessions will remain as confidential as legally possible. Therefore your business will not be discussed with anyone unless I am legally bound to do so.

Is coaching counseling or therapy?

Coaching is not counseling or therapy. They focus on resolving/understanding past events. In contrast, coaching focuses on the here and now and the future possibilities. It supports clients to take control of their lives by setting and achieving goals. As an occupational therapist with many years experience working in the mental health field Catherine is very clear about the boundaries between coaching and counselling/therapy.

Why do I need a coach when I have supportive friends and family?

Friends and family are great to support you. However sometimes it is difficult to talk about your dreams and aspirations to them as they will usually have an opinion about how well suited you are or how achievable they think it is. This is done with the best intentions, but can result in stifling creativity and stopping you achieving your goals.Coaching provides you with a totally non-judgemental space where you can find your true path in life and set goals that are exciting and meaningful to you. Catherine will never tell you what to do, she will not provide you with answers, but will provide the questions that enable you to find your own answers.

Consider this; if you could achieve what you want to do with support from family and friends, how much have you achieved so far?