What Is Coaching?

There is a lot of confusion and misinformation when it comes to coaching. Seems like everyone and their mom is a coach these days! But the truth is that some people who are calling themselves “coaches” are actually teaching, mentoring, and/or consulting.

So let’s clarify what I mean what I’m talking about coaching.

Coaching IS:

• A partnership between the client and coach to achieve the client's goals on their terms

• Working with the client's strengths and helping them better understand themselves

• Supporting and providing accountability to help the client develop better habits and rituals to live a life they love

• Providing clarity, pause, and focus to help the client determine their true desires and a path to get there

• Allowing the client's true self to shine, build confidence, and ultimately show up as the person they want to be in the world

Coaching is NOT:

• Prescriptive teaching or training on what to do and not do

• “Fixing”

• One-size-fits all systems

• Mentoring

• Therapy

The bottom line is this:

Coaching is a collaborative approach to tapping into your strengths to reach your goals.

It’s not digging into your past to figure out WHY you behave a certain way (therapy).

It’s not teaching your prescriptive ways to handle things (mentoring/teaching).

(NOTE: We may introduce ideas and theories from these other professions, including psychotherapy and consulting. And in this case, I will always ask if you are open to learning about these models and exploring them.)

As a coach, here’s what I believe:

You are not broken. There is nothing wrong with you. You are whole, just the way you are.

Our work together is to uncover and nurture the best parts of you—drawing on previous successes—while developing systems, habits, and new stories that will propel you forward.

You will find clarity, learn how to set and enforce boundaries, and live in alignment with your true values and your most authentic self.