FAQ - Confidence Coaching in Stroud

FAQs

Q. How do the sessions work in practice?

A. Confidence Coaching is a regular, structured and confidential partnership between the client and the coach. Its sole focus is the needs and goals of the client, and how the client can fulfil those needs and reach those goals.

Coaching is very forward looking. We discuss and identify a clear goal to aim for at the end of the coaching programme, and each session will identify steps on the journey to reach that goal.

Coaching consists of weekly sessions lasting 60 minutes. We set an agenda for each session, to ensure that we make best use of the time, and that each session moves you towards your overall goal. At the end of the session, we will plan an assignment or action plan for you to follow up. After the session I email you some key notes on the session, including details of the assignment.

The assignment or action plan is a vital part of the process. It allows you to put into practice, or try out, the learning from the session. It also moves the coaching on efficiently by not restricting it to 60 minutes in the week. It is a key step in the journey towards your goal.

Q. What does it cost, and where do we do it?

I charge £50 per session. Fees can be paid weekly or monthly. I prefer to commit to at least three sessions (after an initial assessment session), as that allows us to plan for and make significant changes. We constantly review your progress and future needs.

What does this fee include? For every hour of booked face to face or telephone coaching, I spend up to an additional hour of time in session preparation and follow up, including note-taking, reflection, emailing materials, supervision, and research into the most effective strategies for your needs. Therefore, after room hire and other costs, my fee works out at £20 per hour of my time invested in helping you achieve your goals.

The coaching sessions are conducted face to face in my office in Stroud, Gloucestershire, or over the telephone. Please note that the telephone charges of the actual coaching sessions are entirely at my expense, as long as I am phoning a landline. However, we can meet in person in Stroud if that is more convenient for you, or because you prefer face to face contact. In my experience, face to face work is more effective.

Q. What extra support do you offer?

A. It is very important to me that you are fully supported during coaching. For this reason I offer the following free support in addition to the weekly coaching sessions:

Email support. You may want to ask a quick question in between sessions or get something off your chest. You may even want to celebrate a success! Please email me and I will reply as soon as I can.
Phone support. It may also be important to talk to me in person on the phone in between sessions. I do not charge for this extra time, as long as it is reasonable.

Also, just as you do work in between sessions, so I too spend time preparing for and assessing each session.

Q. Do I need coaching or counselling?

There is a big overlap between coaching and counselling. One helpful rule may be this:

If you are basically coping with most or all aspects of your life, but want to improve it by taking some short-term, highly focused measures to increase your confidence, then coaching may be more appropriate for you.
If your low confidence, or its effects, is significantly impairing your life, because of emotional or other problems that it brings you, then counselling, in particular cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be more appropriate for you. To discover more about counselling and CBT, click here.

If you are still unsure, then please email or phone me to discuss your needs.

Q. What is your philosophy of coaching?

A. I believe that everyone has the potential to be far more confident and successful than they are at present.

Coaching is not a process of forcing the coach’s ideas onto the client, or of giving bucketfuls of advice. It is much more a process of facilitating the client coming to their own ideas, reaching their own conclusions and initiating their own purposeful action.

Coaching is so powerful because it harnesses the desires and potential of the client with the experience, skills and one-to-one support of the coach. Together we bring vast amounts of creative energy to your problems and goals, and put you on the path of greater confidence and fulfilment.

Q. How can I get the most out of my coaching?

A. Here are some tips to help you get maximum benefit from your confidence coaching sessions:

Believe in your goals. Unless you are committed to each part of the process, you will not make changes in your life or practice. A good coach will ensure that the steps and goals that you decide on together are realistic and what you truly desire.
Work hard. A coach is not a slave driver, but he or she will remind you that all change requires input. This work is both practical and psychological: you should be prepared to put any action plan into effect in between sessions, and to be open to self-enquiry and self-development.
Enjoy yourself. Not only enjoy the sessions, as they are focused entirely on you and your success, but also feel good about the fact that you are taking steps to improve and enrich your life. You deserve it!

Q. Do you offer a free initial session?

A. No, but I do offer a free 15 minute discussion of how confidence coaching could help you. Please click here to arrange your session.

What next?

To make an appointment or to find out more about confidence coaching, phone Kim on 01453 751457 or email him at kim@stroudcoaching.com.

Kim Richardson - working to raise your confidence in Stroud, Gloucester, Cheltenham and across the UK