FAQ
What do I get for my free 20 minutes?
What geographic areas do you cover?
Why do I need a personal stress audit?
Can I just have a bio-feedback session?
How many sessions will I need?
How do phone sessions work?
Why can’t I just read a good self-help book?
Why can’t I get the same support from friends?
Is coaching the same as therapy?
I have another question not answered here!
What do I get for my free 20 minutes?
When you call, I may be able to offer you your free 20minutes straight away. However, it may be that I am expecting a booked coaching session shortly, in which case I will make a time for you to call back when I will be free just for you.
You don’t have to use all of the 20 minutes, if it takes 5 minutes that’s OK, but usually, once we get talking, I find it is usually easy to use the time constructively.
• This is an opportunity to talk about the results of your “Quick Stress Test” and get an overview of how you are right now.
• This may help you to decide if you need to do anything further to help yourself or maybe you are doing just fine and only need to make a few small improvements, which you can manage on your own.
• I will be completely honest with you as my interest is always only what is best for you.
• The calls are relaxed and friendly spending the time answering any questions you may have about coaching, stress or any of the many areas I can help with.
• It is an opportunity to find out about me, ask me any questions and to see if you would like to work with me. There is no obligation to book an appointment, you can use the 20 minutes and leave it at that if you choose.
What geographic areas do you cover?
I work close to Esher in Surrey for those who want face to face sessions and there is plenty of free off-street parking if you drive. (Map/details will be sent on booking). If you are unable to see me personally, or prefer the convenience of using either phone or email, then where you live is not a problem. A large amount of my work is done by phone and email from all over the UK and also some from overseas, the only criteria is speaking good English! If you use email then a good understanding of written English is also required.
Why do I need a personal stress audit?
If you just want coaching and are not experiencing stress, then you don’t! You will have a personal life evaluation as part of your first session.
If you are experiencing stress or any related symptoms, then this is really an essential way of discovering exactly what is going on for you, mentally, physically and emotionally. Where your stress is coming from, why, how and who is involved is crucial in discovering why you are feeling as you are.
This is a cost effective way of gaining the required information that can otherwise take 2 or 3 sessions.
Can I just have a bio-feedback session?
This powerful tool is used when you have a real understanding of your current well-being. That is how you are functioning and feeling mentally, physically and emotionally which is why I use it in combination with a session, usually during the second or third one after the results of your stress audit.
Any variation to this will be individually discussed if the need arises and will be helpful to your progress.
How many sessions will I need?
It’s impossible to predict this accurately because so much depends on you and the situation, but the average is between 4 and 8 sessions. This is usually enough to fully explore and understand your issues, to clarify goals, look at any unhelpful thinking, and to develop strategies for moving towards the “new you”.
Occasionally it can be less if you just need help in a very specific area and are able to motivate yourself to achieve your desired outcome.
The number of sessions needed:
• Will be discussed at the end of the first session when both of us will then have more information.
• It would then be expected you would make a commitment to 4 weekly sessions in advance initially, and then you will be able to review your progress after this to see what, if anything, you still need.
• Further sessions are usually spread out at increasing intervals to give you time to implement the changes you have made, so maybe 2 to 3 weeks apart, or eventually monthly.
• Some of my clients like to just keep contact 3 to 6 monthly to maintain support during long term changes or difficulties. I am flexible and will work to your needs.
How do phone sessions work?
You make a pre-arranged time with me at the introductory call, or by e-mail in advance, and I will be available for this specific time. Payment must be received in advance. You then phone me on my landline or IP phone (Skype).
Why can’t I just read a good self-help book?
Most of the people I see have already invested a great deal of money in books and DVD’s. They come to see me because they haven’t been able to give them the answers they were looking for or help them make the changes needed. With the best will in the world books, whilst helping many, struggle to help a great many others. The one missing ingredient that is essential is interaction. Without that, even if you are desperate, the chances of the advice in the book working are not good.
Books can’t ask you the right questions, check how you are getting on, support you at those crucial moments, listen to your worries or celebrate with you when you have succeeded. I can and I will.
The life we currently lead defines who we are. When you read a self-help book, you bring along your same limitations to your reading. To change your life, you must remove your own self-limitations. That involves challenging questions and changes, which is difficult to do from within.
I guess the answer is simple, if you have all the books and haven’t achieved what you wanted or need, still feel stressed or unable to achieve your goals, then you really need more than a book, it’s time to get expert help. Call me to see how I can help.
Why can’t I get the same support from friends?
I am professionally trained and I have specific skills in listening, questioning techniques, motivation, communication and much more. All of my expertise will be completely focused on you without any bias or ulterior motive. I know about the real world and have a huge amount of experience in working with, and helping people of all ages, from all walks of life and with almost every type of problem or issue you can think of. See my profile or just call me to discuss your needs.
• Friends may be reluctant to be honest with you because they don’t want to lose their relationship with you.
• They’re more likely to tell you what you want to hear.
• Some of those around you may be part of the reason you want to change.
• Those around us can also undermine our determination to make positive changes in our lives.
• There may be some things you can’t say to friends, because they’re very private – or because your friends are part of what you want to change.
Is coaching the same as therapy?
In a word, NO.
• Life Coaching is a process and not about deep self-analysis or regressing to childhood events.
• It is forward-looking, positive, solution focused, challenging and focused in the present and the future.
• It is practical and down-to-earth helping you to set goals, strategies and actions, and most importantly, it is empowering, non-judgemental, productive and enjoyable.
Occasionally emotional baggage may surface and a referral may need to be made, however sometimes the process of coaching can dissolve deep-seated blocks without any deeper exploration being necessary.
