FAQ

FAQ About Coaching

1.) What is coaching?

Coaching is a powerful tool that can help you clearly define your passions and objectives and make empowered choices toward consistently living a happy and balanced life.

Results can you expect from coaching with me?

  • You will feel empowered because you will consistently make choices that honor who you are, what you want, and what you value.
  • You will take action to create extraordinary success (as YOU define it) and feel more satisfied in all aspects of your life.
  • You will have more mental, emotional, and spiritual balance.
  • You will readily identify road blocks and self-sabotaging behaviors and develop tools to overcome them.
  • You will develop an indestructible inner strength that will prevail against obstacles and challenges and propel your life to new dimensions.
  • You will have my support in transforming all of your dreams into a reality.

2. Who hires a coach?

Anyone who wants to transform their personal and professional lives to a higher level of success, but hasn’t figured out how.

3. How is coaching different from therapy?

The average client who seeks the services of a therapist, psychologist, or counselor recognizes a personal deficiency, is interested in resolving an issue from the past, or has overwhelming feelings or emotions that need to be addressed (e.g., depression, addiction, anxiety disorders, etc.).

Coaches are more interested in your future, rather than your past. While past experiences and feelings are important, a coach will only focus on them for the purpose of reframing perspectives and thoughts to achieve new action and results. One core coaching principle is that clients have the answers within them and it’s the coach’s responsibility to ask the right questions to guide their clients to achieve maximum success. A coach holds you accountable, stretches you beyond your comfort level, helps you strengthen your skills, and supports you without judgment.

Notably, an increasing number of people work with both a coach and a therapist to simultaneously heal past wounds and advance future positive action.

The chart below will give you a clear understanding of traditional counseling and coaching.

  Traditional
Therapy or Counseling		 Coaching
Primary Focus Focuses on a person’s feelings and
problems, healing emotional pain
or conflict, trauma, pathology, and
unresolved psychological issues of
the past. Assesses a client’s
mental health status and emotional
capabilities. (Note, some forms of
therapy, or individual therapists,
do focus on the future.)		 Focuses on resolving a client’s current
situation through creating actionable
strategies for achieving specific goals,
developing skills to overcome
obstacles and self-limiting beliefs, and
holding clients accountable. (Note,
positive feelings, increased self-esteem,
and self-empowerment may
be a natural outgrowth from
coaching).
Treatment Medical or clinical diagnosis,
provide counsel, give the answers
that a client may need to hear.		 Support, challenge, hold accountable,
and inspire a client to see clearly for
themselves the right action to take in
pursuing their goals, passions, and
dreams. A coach is dedicated to the
principle that clients have their own
answers, are capable of achieving the
change they desire in their lives, and
are completely healthy.
Questions Asked WHY? (insight-oriented questions) WHAT? HOW? WHEN? (action- and accountability-oriented questions).
Client Goals Help patients resolve old pain and improve emotional states. Help clients develop goals and learn
new skills and tools to build a more
satisfying successful future.
Relationship Doctor-patient relationship (The therapist is the expert). Collaborative equal partnership, team relationship.
Function The therapist diagnoses, then
provides professional expertise and
guidelines to provide a path to
emotional healing.		 The coach helps clients identify
challenges, turn challenges into
victories, reach desired goals,
overcome obstacles, and change
limiting patterns of thinking and
behavior.
Training emphasis Therapists and counselors are
trained in healing the pain in the
past, focusing on emotional and
mental health, disorders, and
problems.		 Coaches are generally trained in goal
setting, creating fulfillment,
interpersonal skills, strategies to
overcome negative patterns of
thinking and behavior, and to focus
client energy on turning goals into
action.
Rate of Change Progress is often slow and painful
because the issues are often
subconscious and fundamental.		 Growth and progress are rapid, conscious, and usually enjoyable.
Payment Often covered in some part by
insurance; almost never by any
other third-party.		 Not covered by insurance; employers
may pay for coaching of individuals as
a business training expense.
Results Therapeutic healing. Achievement of personal and professional goals through action.
Setting Primarily in person. Coaching usually happens over the phone, although it can also occur in person. This may be more convenient for both client and coach, does not involve travel time or costs, offers clients more anonymity, and encourages coaches to develop exceptional listening skills.

4. How is coaching different from consulting?

Coaching clients desire professional growth and expect personalized training in every aspect of the business. A coach will look at the bigger picture and ensure that the goals of the organization and the dreams of the owner are met today and in the future. Coaches help their clients achieve success by asking the right questions that encourage clients to access their inner resources, qualities and capabilities, take action, have accountability and follow through. Typically, coaching occurs one-on-one, though the coach may also take time to work with the larger group (through group coaching sessions) within the organization so that everyone is on the same page. The coach will train and guide clients to achieve their own dreams and attain personal growth in the process, and will still be there at the end to provide expertise, advice and support.

Consulting is used by clients who are looking for the solution to a particular problem or have a specific project that needs outside expertise. The goal of consulting is to provide specific expertise and achieve particular results. A consultant typically works with a team involved with the execution of the project or task he or she undertakes. Consulting will best suit those clients that require a task completed that they believe is beyond the scope of their own organization.

Consulting Coaching
Primary Focus Focuses on problem solving, strategies, action plans, and accomplishing very specific goals. Focuses on learning through action while using the process of self-discovery to fulfill certain goals and dreams.
Model The consultant is the expert and brings the knowledge and expertise to the situation that makes the difference in the client’s failure or success. The coach is a facilitator who guides the client in a journey of self-discovery through asking the right questions.
Nature of Issue Consulting generally focuses on the specific question or problem at hand. Coaching focuses on the bigger picture, which may include the client’s entire life.
Workload Consultants may take care of specific work for the client as a part of the solution. Coaches do none of the work, instead the client must take on all the action.

5. What distinguishes Ann from other coaches?

Ann is a warm, intuitive and powerful coach who takes a holistic, no-nonsense approach to transform her client’s circumstances through the kaleidoscope of Co-active Coaching. Being a leader, professional, and business owner gives Ann the advantage of intimately understanding the needs and challenges facing people in similar situations. As a result of her legal training, Ann has a sharp analytical mind that leads her clients to insightful discoveries and solutions. Ann also relies on her own experiences of overcoming personal and professional adversities to inspire and motivate her clients to do the same. Ann believes that life is too short to live with mediocrity. So, she doesn’t allow her clients to settle for less than their absolute best. If you’re interested in personal empowerment and professional excellence, contact Ann today.