The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

It’s important to distinguish between coaching and advice: coaching is listening and championing a client to support their intentions, while advice is telling someone what to do based on the advisor’s worldview. I believe every client has the resources they need, but a good coach can hold clients accountable for actions that align with the client’s values.

Coaching can help in many aspects of life. People work with coaches for professional development, help with navigating big life changes, or support in planning and reaching personal goals.

The first coaching session will focus on designing our coaching relationship and identifying your starting point. From there, you decide what to focus on for each session. As your coach, I’ll support you by asking powerful questions, stretching your thinking, and helping you explore options. Topics for a coaching session could include: health, career, family and friends, hobbies, developing skills, mental health, or life events.

The difference between therapy and coaching isn’t always clear. Both coaching and therapy focus on helping people make changes and accomplish goals, even in difficult situations. Coaches are peers, focused on action and solutions that emphasize present and future. Therapists, however, are experts trained to work with mental health that emphasize past and present.