What Is Coaching?
Coaching can be seen as the yang to the yin of therapy. With two distinct approaches to personal development, each offers unique benefits. The focus of therapy is often the reprocessing of trauma - working on how the past is affecting the present. Using a different tool kit, coaching is focused on how the present is creating the future. While anything is welcome to come up in a coaching session, it is generally more future-oriented, emphasising goal-setting, motivation, personal growth, developing strategies to achieve specific objectives or making positive life changes. Coaches facilitate the empowerment of their clients to identify their strengths, setting clear goals, and developing actionable plans for success. A coach may help clients set and achieve personal or professional goals, develop coping strategies for stress management, enhance communication skills, and building resilience through personalised strategies. The coaching tool kit can be applied to any issue, for example - career, business, relationships, grief, addiction, sobriety. The coach asks questions with curiosity to understand the situation and the goal of the session to assist you in exploring and reality testing. The tool kit is flexible to whatever arises.
A coach never gives advice. Anyone who does so is a mentor or a consultant. The truth of your reality and the answers you seek are subjective, they can only be accessed by you. The coach facilitates the space which allows the client to sink deep into their consciousness to do so. Empowerment comes in discovering the truth for oneself. There is a common misconception that anyone can become a psychological coach without certified training. Accredited coaches have completed training programs ratified by internationally renowned organisations such as the International Coach Federation (ICF). Such qualifications equip us with knowledge regarding competantly and ethically working with human behaviour, cognition, and emotions using coaching techniques to support clients effectively. We also work with more experienced coaches for ongoing professional development.
Coaching utilises evidence-based techniques from cognitive-behavioural approaches, mindfulness practices, positive psychology and other researched methods to help clients reach their full potential. Goal setting can be critical element, depending on the clients needs. Research has shown that setting clear and attainable goals can lead to improved motivation and performance. Coaches help set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Cognitive restructuring is a technique from cognitive-behavioural therapy which involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns. Using the reframing of unhelpful or outdated thought patterns, we can shift to more constructive and empowered perspectives. Positive psychology emphasises the identification and utilisation of individual strengths for personal growth. Coaches might use assessments like the VIA Survey of Character Strengths to help clients recognise their signature strengths. Coaches often utilise behaviour change theories such as the transtheoretical model or self-determination theory to support clients in making sustainable lifestyle changes. Drawing from resilience research, coaches can assist individuals in developing skills like problem-solving abilities, flexibility, self-regulation, and social support networks to better cope with life challenges.
These evidence-based techniques are tailored based to a clients’ specific needs and goals while being supported by scientific research within the field of psychology. Ultimately, coaching works to empower individuals through utilising proven methods to enhance mental well-being and achieve personal growth. Active listening is a fundamental tool in coaching. It is a key to facilitating the space where transformation can occur. When we are listened to completely with non-judgement, we can drop to deeper levels of awareness within ourselves. The coach asks questions with curiosity to gain a deeper understanding of the client and their goal. They paraphrase the main points to ensure clarity. They assist your process by examining from reframed angles to assist in uncovering underlying patterns to open up new awareness.
Each session is tailored to your specific needs with the coaching toolkit, supported by scientific research within the field of psychology. Discover the power of goal setting, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, strengths-based approaches, behaviour change techniques, and resilience building strategies to elevate your well-being to align with your highest self.
Join me on my instagram page linked below where I explore themes of coaching, psychology and the human condition in more depth. I will also have a blog page coming soon if you would like to sign up at the bottom of this page.
