What is Coaching?
Clarity, confidence, and focus on your path forward.
Many coaches say you need to experience it to really get coaching. There’s truth to this. Still, people try to define it anyway.
The ICF (International Coaching Federation) calls it:“Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
Sir John Whitmore, recognised as a pioneer of coaching as we know it, described it as: “Unlocking a person’s potential to maximize their own performance… helping them learn rather than teaching them.”
For me: “Coaching is a confidential, question-based process to help you face a challenge or achieve something that matters. It’s not about giving advice, it’s about building your own solutions, gaining clarity, and moving forward with focus.”
How does coaching work?
Coaching is client-led: you bring the topic or objective for the session(s). Together we unpack it, understand what it means, what you have done so far and the context as applicable. We then dive into the topic, explore what it means for you, what your resources are and what you need to gain.
I support your thinking by asking questions; throughout the coaching we become partners, working together to help you gain clarity, make your own decision or make a plan. We consider what has worked, and if that’s the case what hasn’t and why. The exploration can take different forms, conversation, questions, exploring a metaphor as needed. I adapt to your style and what works for you.
What makes coaching powerful is that you don’t apply ready-made solutions, you find your own, test them and learn.
During sessions, we might consider some tools or exercises, amongst which the Wheel of Life, brainstorming, value clarification, visualisation, mirroring: where I might mirror you or repeat part of what you said to support you to gain perspective. I have also studied NLP and might at times suggest a different exercise for you to consider, without imposing it: you remain in charge.
An important part of transformation is to take control of it and navigate the change with intent. A session is your time, your space, I bring structure and attention, and together we work towards the clarity or transformation you need or want.
Why I chose to be an ICF coach?
The ICF (International Coaching Federation) sets the global standard for professional coaching excellence. With over 60,000 members globally, it’s one of the most recognized accrediting bodies in coaching.
ICF coaching is built on proven ethics and standards. This means confidentiality, respect for your autonomy, clear partnership agreements, and my commitment to ongoing development. Every session puts your agenda first.
My ACC credential means I have met the rigorous training, exam, and mentoring requirement, as well as over 100 hours real client practice.
Getting ICF accreditation was very important to me. Coaching isn’t a legally normed profession: my ICF Accreditation brings you guarantees on my training and ethical commitment to you.
Coaching VS Therapy
While life coaching and therapy can seem similar, it’s important to understand how they differ. Coaching focuses on going from where you are to where you want to be: it might consider your past and context as a source of learning or resources, then emphasizes moving forward. Therapy, however, focuses on resolving the past, diagnosing, or treating. A coach is not equipped to diagnose or treat you.
Coaching and therapy can go very well hand in hand: in parallel (I suggest mentioning it to your therapist) or by getting coaching after therapy, once the therapy work is done, to support your next steps.
The misunderstanding between coaching and therapy does happen and is not something to be concerned about. If we have a doubt, we will discuss it and confirm together what is the best next step for you in an intro call where we get to know each other. As an ICF Coach, and as myself, it is very important to ensure you have the right professional to support you.