Finding a Coach...

The coaching profession is not regulated at this point. Anyone can call himself or herself a coach; even if their actual training may have been in therapy, education, or a consulting specialty. Each of these approaches is very different from coaching.

Once you have decided that you would like to work with a coach, it is important that you find the right one for you! Here are a few thoughts to help you with this…

Questions to ask the coach

What specific training in coaching do you have?
If I go ahead, what happens next?
Do you subscribe to a "programme"?
How prescriptive is your coaching?
What is your policy about confidentiality?
What will a typical coaching session be like?

Have you ever referred an individual to another professional?
What is your policy on missed or re-scheduled calls?
What are all the costs of coaching (money and time)?
Regarding the Intake session: how much an hour and how many hours? Is there flexibility regarding the length? Can written work be done beforehand? How does the time get used?

Regarding weekly sessions: how long are they, how many a month? What is the monthly fee, how many months minimum?
Regarding telephone calls: it is customary for the client to pay the telephone costs, how much will that be?

Questions to ask of yourself

Do I really want to commit to making changes in my life?
Do I want to commit over time to asking for what I want and shaping a coaching relationship that will support me?
What balance of prescriptive (checklists, assignments, to do's, etc.) or non-prescriptive (my agenda) coaching do I want?

And after talking to a coach

Do I feel very confident about this coach's abilities?
Is this the right coach for me? Are we a good fit?
Do I want to speak with references?
Do I want to talk to some more coaches?

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are probably right" (Henry Ford)

Contact Tracy on 07920 407 582 or at tracy.sinclair@discoveryourpotential.co.uk