Life Coaching
What Is It?
How Does Coaching Differ From Counselling and
Psychotherapy?
What To Expect
What Is It Used For?
What
Is It?
Life coaching is a partnership between a trained coach and a client
which aims to move the client forward from where they are now, to where
they want to be in life. A coach helps a client to clearly define their
goals and to devise an action plan for achieving those goals. Professional
coaches support the skills and creativity that the client already has,
providing motivation and helping a client to remain focused on what
they want to be, do or have.
Life coaching originated in the United States in the early 1990s.
It draws from a number of disciplines including sociology, psychology,
mentoring and various forms of counselling.
How Does Coaching Differ
From Counselling and Psychotherapy?
Counselling or psychotherapy helps a person understand past experiences
which may be the cause of their current difficulties. These types of
therapy deal with emotional pain, dysfunction and conflict, and aim
to free patients from past limitations, presenting new and positive
ways for dealing with problems. Coaching, on the other hand, is more future oriented,
helping people to define what it is they want in life, and assisting
them to move forward to accomplish their goals. It emphasises action,
accountability and follow-through in achieving personal growth. Coaching
does not focus directly on treating emotional problems. Coaching
can be used to complement counselling or therapy and many people work
with both a coach and a therapist at the same time.
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What To Expect
Many life coaches offer a complimentary initial session with clients.
You can use this session to decide whether the coach is someone you
feel comfortable with and would like to work with. Subsequent sessions
can be either in person or by telephone, or sometimes by e-mail.
Most coaches recommend committing to at least a three month period
of coaching in order for you to make changes in your life that are
sustainable long term. Sessions can involve much soul searching,
with the aim of clearly defining your goals for the future and looking
for ways to break old habits that may be holding you back. Coaching
requires active participation on your part, with support and encouragement
from your coach. You will likely be given "homework", or
weekly tasks designed to help you take action to overcome the fears
or procrastination that may be blocking your progress. For example
you may be asked to rewrite your CV if you are looking for a job,
or to make conversation with a stranger to overcome shyness.
Sessions are usually 30 - 60 minutes in length, with two to four sessions
per month.
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What Is It Used
For?
Coaching can be used to help define and reach goals in any aspect of
life, including career, health and fitness, weight loss, work-life
balance, spirituality, relationships, study, sports and finances.
References
Find a Life Coach
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