What is Coaching?
Coaching is a creative partnership designed to help you move “from where you are” to “where you want to be.” Or, as is the case for most Christians. to "where you sense God wants you to be." Coaching is not counseling, mentoring, advising, or consulting. It is non-directive and focused on "drawing out of you what God has put in you."
As your coach, I will listen, ask powerful questions, reflect back to you what I hear you saying, and share insights about possibilities and obstacles to help speed your growth and development. My clients also receive powerful tools and assessments to help them understand their unique design, identify their strengths, and take decisive action toward fulfilling their life's mission.
Writing Coaching differs from other forms of coaching as it involves some consulting and mentoring. However, the coach’s expertise finds expressing within the context of active listening, powerful questions, and coaching techniques and methods.
Why Do People Hire Coaches?
People hire coaches because they want a richer, fuller life or are navigating a time of transition. Some seek coaches to explore their life's calling, understand their unique design, identify their strengths, and discern their spiritual gifts and natural abilities. Others work with a coach because they want to start a home business, adjust to an empty next, improve health practices or manage a chronic illness. Still others come looking for ways to improve time management, organization, or strengthen relationships.
Leaders work with coaches to strengthen their leadership, strengthen weaknesses, and enhance communication. Many leaders want to explore launching speaking and writing ministries.
Regardless of their life circumstances, people essentially hire coaches to live a richer, more God-honoring life.
How does coaching differ from counseling?
Coaching is not the same as counseling. It is not a replacement for professional counseling, treatment for mental illness, recovery from past abuse, addiction, or professional services outside the scope of the coaching agreement. It is not for individuals in crisis or those working through emotional pain.
Coaching looks to the future not to the past. It promotes change and accelerates growth. Topics covered in coaching could include but are not limited to, life purpose, mission, and vision, wellness management, lifestyle management, life balance, navigating transitions, and the achievement of short and/or long-term goals. Coaching involves listening, asking powerful questions, brainstorming, goal setting, identifying plans of action, accountability, examining lifestyles, and more.
Individuals in need of healing are not yet ready for coaching and will be referred to a professional counselor or therapist. Coaching is ineffective until basic issues are addressed through counseling. To benefit from coaching, people must be emotionally stable, healthy, and functioning.
How does coaching work?
All coaching sessions take place by phone. I will contract on a monthly basis for two, three, or four 45-minute phone sessions and access throughout the month through e-mail.
Prior to the call, I will ask you to complete a form that asks you to rate your current physical, emotional, and spiritual health, identify the challenges and opportunities you are currently facing, and specify areas you would like to address during the session.
What do I do next?
If you think Christian coaching might be for you, send me an e-mail to schedule your free, introductory session. There is absolutely no obligation. If, after the call, we make a mutual decision to work together, we will contract on a monthly basis. Standard monthly agreements include three phone sessions and access throughout the month by e-mail.