Frequently Asked Questions About Coaching
Table Of Contents
1. Why does Coaching work?
2. What is the difference between coaching, therapy, consulting, or talking to a friend?
2a. The Bicycle Analogy
3. How do I prepare for my coaching sessions?
4. How long should I plan on using my coach?
5. What is your fee?
6. Any Discounts Available?
7. What exactly is your 100% Satisfaction Guarantee?
8. Are our sessions confidential?
9. What if I have a conflict with you?
10. I have another question.
2. What is the difference between coaching, therapy, consulting, or talking to a friend?
2a. The Bicycle Analogy
3. How do I prepare for my coaching sessions?
4. How long should I plan on using my coach?
5. What is your fee?
6. Any Discounts Available?
7. What exactly is your 100% Satisfaction Guarantee?
8. Are our sessions confidential?
9. What if I have a conflict with you?
10. I have another question.
1. Why does Coaching work?
Coaching works because it brings out your truth and your best. A coach believes you have answers and is trained to bring them out.
To bring out what you know, and to offer what I know, I will:- Listen - I listen fully. You are the focus. I listen to what you say, to what you are trying to say and to what you are not saying.
- Question - By conversing with questions you will become more clear about what you want, your truths, who you are and how to proceed.
- Share - After you have fully communicated a thought or idea, I may share with you my advice, ideas, comments and views on your situation, dilemma or oppourtunity.
- Support - Anyone who faces challenges needs an outside voice full of endorsement, compassion and acknowledgement - not a "yes" person, but as someone who knows what it takes to achieve.
Coaching is proven to work where there are two factors present:
- A client who is willing to grow.
- A gap between where the client is now and where he or she wants to be.
Coaching will work for you because you can and will close the gap between where you are now and where you want to be!
2. What is the difference between coaching, therapy, consulting, or just having a best friend?
Therapy - Coaching is not therapy. Coaches don't treat mental illness or focus heavily on past issues. Knowledge of the past may come as clients move forward toward personal and professional goals that will give them the life they really want, but it is not the focus of the coaching relationship.
Consulting - Coaching is rather like consulting. However, the coach stays with the client through the stages of setting goals and making the changes necessary to bring their goals to fruition.
Best Friend - A Best Friend is wonderful to have. But is your best friend a professional who you will trust to work with you regularly, on the most important aspects of your life and/or your business, and to concentrate on ONLY YOUR agenda? Have both - a best friend and a coach.
2a. The Bicycle Analogy - One common analogy to illuminate the distinction among Coaching, Therapy and Consulting is that of learning to ride a bicycle.
Let's say you wanted to hire a professional to help you to learn how to ride a bicycle in an effective and efficient manner. Your first stop might be the a therapist's office who specialized in "bicycle therapy". This professional would discuss the basis for your fears about riding a bike and the consequences of falling. You would discuss if your parents rode a bike, and why that might be important. The therapist would explain why it is important for your self-esteem or psyche, for you to learn this and be successful. They would help you overcome whatever baggage may be impeding your ability to ride a bicycle.
Your next stop might be Bicycle Consultant's office. The consultant would give you lots of information. They might tell you what kind of bicycle is best to learn on, how the bike is propelled, what is necessary for balance and different pedaling techniques. They might also tell you where to sit and where to put your feet and when to pedal. They might even suggest a training program to help you upgrade your bike. Then they leave. All of this information might be helpful but you still haven't learned how to ride a bike!
Finally, you might go to a "bicycle coach". This coach would listen to your desire to try riding. They would ask if were ready for the learning process, i.e. do you have a bicycle, instructions, the time, a place to learn? If not, the coach would support you in making a plan to get those things.The Coach may even help you pick up the bike and help you get on. They would run along side of the bike, "checking in" to see if you are are enjoying the exeperience and ask what might make it better. They will help you discover what you need to take care of yourself when/if you fall.They would encourage you and challenge you to keep going if you still wanted to. When you stop, the coach might ask about your riding expereince and what was valuable and whether or not you wanted to pursue mastery of bike riding. If you do, the coach would ask you how you might devise a plan whereby you can attain mastery. If you don't , then the coach may ask if you want to continue riding casually or if you want to devise a plan to sell the bike.
3. How do I prepare for my coaching sessions?
For your weekly sessions you will be required to fill out a short Coach Call Prep and send it to me, via email before each session. This brief form to helps you get the most out of each coaching call by being fully prepared before the call. It helps to quickly focus our attention so you can benefit from the full coaching time. In short, its worth every minute you spend on it!
4. How long should I plan on using my coach?
A minimum 3-month commitment is recommended, as this amount of time allows for more permanent changes in your life & business. However, I am also available for coaching on an "as-needed" basis. There is no limit on the amount of time you should use a coach. Some people stop coaching when they have achieved a certain goal. Others continue coaching for years because they appreciate the value it continually adds to their life. Still others may stop for a time, and start again when they feel the need. Feel free to discuss your preferences with me.
5. What is your fee?
I offer three coaching packages to accommodate different preferences for a continuing coaching relationship. The prices for the packages range from $150-$350 per month. You'll get more information about the different packages when you sign up for your FREE, No-Obligation, Sample Coaching Session. I also offer group coaching, home business coaching via email & “one time” phone coaching on an as-needed basis. You’ll find all the details below. Credit card payments are accepted through Paypal only. No checks.Also Available Are:
Individual As-Needed Coaching
If you are unable to commit to ongoing coaching but would like an occasional call, as-needed coaching is available for $45 per half-hour or $75 for a full hour.
Email Coaching for Home Business Owners
Do you have unanswered questions about your home business that you need answered? Are you the kind of person who learns best from one-on-one interaction but you're too busy to schedule phone coaching?
I can answer your questions and teach you what you need to know via email. You can ask me unlimited questions and I will answer you – often within minutes – but certainly within 24 hours (with the exception of my Sabbath – I do not answer emails from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening.)
One week of Email Coaching is $45
One month of Email coaching is $150.
Buddy Coaching
Share the coaching with someone with similar interests and challenges -- a friend, spouse, business partner, or let me match you up for half the price (each) of whatever coaching package you choose.
Group Coaching
Up to 8 individuals with similar goals, interests and challenges participate in 1-hour group telephone coaching sessions three times a month. Topics and times will be determined by the group. For more details call me or contact me at groups@balancedwomancoaching.com
Any Discounts Available?
***Receive a 10% discount by paying for your first three months in advance!
***Receive a FREE bonus session when your friend becomes a coaching client!
***Receive a FREE month of coaching when three friends become coaching clients!
6. Any Discounts Available?
*Get a 10% discount by paying for your first three months in advance!
*Get a FREE bonus session when your friend becomes a coaching client!
*Get a FREE month of coaching when three friends become coaching clients!
7. What exactly is your 100% Satisfaction Guarantee?
Your confidence and satisfaction are critical so, if at the end of the first month of coaching, you do not feel that you have received full value for your money, your fees will be immediately and cheerfully refunded. Simple as that. (I am proud to report that no one has ever requested a refund.)
8. Are our sessions confidential?
Everything that is said during our coaching sessions will be kept confidential to the best of my abilities. I do take notes during the conversation for my own use. These notes and any other information will not be shared with anyone unless required by law. I ask that you obtain my permission before sharing anything with me regarding any activities you feel might be suspect or known of being illegal in nature. This is the only area I ask this in to protect both of us.
9. What if I have a conflict with you?
If I ever say or do anything that upsets you or doesn't feel right, please bring it to my attention. Honesty and trust are critical in our coaching relationship. I want to provide an open and safe place for you to come with confidence. Likewise, if I feel that I am not able to coach you effectively or that services other than coaching are needed for you, I will inform you of this opinion.
10. I have another question.
Please feel free ask me at Sarah@SolutionsForBusyMoms.com
Or Bring It Up During Your Free sample session
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