How does coaching work?
We make an initial telephone appointment to chat about what it is that you’d like to achieve during the coaching relationship. If you decide that I’m the right person to work with, you choose the package that will suit you best. From there, we schedule regular appointments, usually fortnightly to begin with and sometimes moving to monthly if you continue for a longer term. You get to choose what you want to work on in each session and we provide you with action steps to complete between appointments.
Isn’t coaching all a bit ‘ra-ra’ and how are you different from other coaches?
My coaching style is fairly low-key and I tend to attract clients who wouldn’t usually be drawn to coaching. I’m definitely not a highly motivational, ‘high fiving’ coach. Having said that, most people find that seeing a coach motivates them to create change in their lives. I’ll work with you to help you discover your strengths and work out what is most important to you. Together we work on identifying your values, creating a life (or business) plan, setting some tangible goals and defining action steps that will help you to achieve your vision. For many people, change takes time and I respect that you’ll want to work at your own pace.
I will challenge you from time to time. I’ll listen and empathise, but also help you to understand what gets in your way. My aim is to create a space where you feel completely supported and understood, but one where you can start to imagine (and begin to create) a life that is more fulfilling.
How will I know if you’re the right coach for me?
The single most important factor in a coaching relationship is for you and your coach to ‘connect’. The best way to find out if I’m the right person to be working with you, is to have an introductory session. I’m committed to only working with clients I believe I can help, so I’ll let you know if I don’t think I’m right and I’ll do my best to refer you to someone else who can help.
How soon can I see you?
I have a commitment to keep my coaching practice small and specialised which means my appointments are often booked out some time in advance. We’ll do our best to accommodate you and we’re happy to add you to a waitlist if we can’t fit you in within your preferred time fame.
Is coaching expensive?
Coaching isn’t cheap (the fee for a six session program is $1,450 inclusive of GST) but many people find that it’s a one off expense (although for me, it’s an annual thing and it’s what makes the biggest difference to both my business and personal life). One of my key points of difference is that I teach you how to ‘self coach’ so that once a program is complete, you can confidentally go it alone.
When you consider the impact of not achieving your goals, not having a plan for the future or the impact of staying in a career that you loathe, coaching might become a necessity, not a luxury.
If coaching is out of your budget at the moment, we’ve developed our fabulous Create a Life You Love eCourse that will help you get started for an affordable price.
I’m not sure if I need personal, business or career coaching.
The truth is you don’t really need to choose. I take a holistic approach and believe that it’s important that we spend a bit of time looking at the whole of your life. Having said that, the coaching sessions are your time and I encourage you to direct the session. If it helps, we’ll give you a form to complete before each session to clarify the most important focus.
I think I want to leave my current role and start my own business. Can you help me with that?
Absolutely. This is an area I specialise in. I have extensive experience helping people get small businesses off the ground and it’s something I’m passionate about. Before I started my coaching business, I worked as a Business Manager for several small creative businesses. These days I specialise in working with creative businesses and those in the wellbeing sector.
Do you have coaches elsewhere in Australia?
Not any longer. I have scaled the business back so it’s just me these days. I have clients all over Australia (and in fact, from other parts of the world too) so I’m happy to offer you phone coaching if you’re not located in Melbourne.
I’m not sure about telephone coaching. Is it really as effective as face to face coaching?
I was sceptical in the beginning too! It’s surprising how effective telephone coaching is. It’s how I work with my own coaches and I love it. In some cases, it’s actually a better model for coaching. It’s time efficient – you don’t have to travel or find parking; it’s very personal and interestingly, because you are really focused on listening, the conversations generally cut to the core of the issue pretty quickly. If you’re still in doubt, give it a try in an introductory session. You might be surprised.
Where do you see your clients for in-person sessions?
I meet with clients in the CBD in Melbourne and Elsternwick.
How long do people generally continue with coaching?
Most people find that six sessions is the minimum but you’re very welcome to begin with three and upgrade your program if you find you need more. Change doesn’t occur overnight so I’d rather under-promise than have you believe that three sessions of coaching will completely transform your life.
In an ideal world, you’ll continue your coaching for between three and six months. This is a realistic time frame to make permanent change in your life. Some clients continue indefinitely, making a regular monthly or six-weekly appointment.
It’s also worth remembering that even after completing a program, life continues to change. You are always welcome to come back to coaching further down the track.
What can I expect of the coaching process?
The coaching process is characterised by a few things. Coaching will provide you with a supportive and non-judgemental space for you to discuss whatever is important to you. Coaching is solution- (rather than problem) focused which means we won’t spend lots of time trying to make sense of why things are the way that they are, we’ll be asking ‘what can we do about it?’
You won’t be advised to act in a specific way, the choices are yours, but you will be asked questions that encourage you to think differently and to open up new opportunities. I am willing to brainstorm with you when you are stuck and I’ll keep you accountable for doing the things that you say you are going to do.
Coaching is a positive, validating, supportive experience. You’ll leave feeling clearer about your direction, confident in your ability to achieve your objectives, and you’ll have a greater degree of self-awareness.
What are your ethical standards?
We operate within the ethical standards set out by the International Coach Federation. We are committed to providing a professional service with a guarantee of confidentiality. We will provide you with a Coaching Agreement at the commencement of your coaching outlining our terms of business.
Can I get more information?
To arrange an appointment or to discuss your needs further, please contact us.
