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Some Questions I'm Often Asked
About Coaching ....
How do you define coaching?
Coaching is a structured, interactive process between two individuals --
coach and client. The two of them agree to conduct an ongoing series of
conversations that focus on the client's stated desire to deepen his
degree of mastery and excellence in one or more areas of his life.
What kinds of issues do you coach your clients on?
I prefer not to use the word "issues" in this regard, as the term "issue"
usually implies a problematic area that needs fixing. Coaching is not
about fixing problems. Rather, the coaching process I engage in with my
clients is centered on deepening self-awareness and becoming more free in
choosing how to respond to the events of one's life. Some typical themes
that come up in coaching sessions include:
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communicating more effectively
with family, friends, and/or professional colleagues
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making better use of limited time
-
handling stressful situations more
skillfully
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planning for life transitions, both personal
and professional
How long does the coaching process typically last?
Most of my clients stay in the coaching relationship for a period of from
six months to a year. However, depending upon a particular client’s
agenda, the coaching sometimes ends sooner and sometimes lasts longer.
How often do you meet with a client?
My standard arrangement is to have three 30-minute coaching sessions every
month. I also offer a more intensive program of once-a-week sessions, and
a more relaxed schedule of bi-weekly sessions (recommended mostly for
clients who have already spent some time working in one of the other more
rigorous schedules).
Do you meet your clients in person or on the phone?
Almost all of my coaching sessions take place on the phone. When a client
prefers in-person sessions and as long as distance does not render travel
unfeasible, arrangements can be made for meeting in person.
How do you know when to end the coaching?
As a client begins to deepen her self-awareness and becomes more skilled
at choosing more effective ways of responding to the events of her life,
the coaching conversations evolve away from a focus on opportunities for
learning and practicing new behaviors, and toward a realization of the
different outcomes that are occurring in the client's life as a result of
the changes she has made. When the coaching arrives at this point, a
client is usually ready to let go of the structure of working with a
coach, and to continue her
process of personal growth on her own.
Do you offer group coaching?
Because of the value I place on one-on-one conversation as the fundamental
process by which coaching occurs, I do not offer group coaching. However,
I do offer a program called "Continuations" -- a monthly telephone
discussion group open exclusively to individuals
who are currently engaged in or have already completed a coaching program
with me. These small group discussions bring together individuals
who are committed to habits of self-observation and personal practices,
for the purpose of mutual learning and support.
Have a question I haven't answered
above?
Please check out the other coaching pages for more details on my coaching
philosophy and on the coaching programs I offer, or contact me directly
with your specific question. You may either call me at 914.834.6741,
or go to my Contact page to send me an email.
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