What is coaching? 

1. What is coaching, exactly?

Coaching is a focused, forward-looking conversation that helps you think clearly, make confident decisions and move towards what matters most to you.

It’s not advice-giving, mentoring or therapy. Rather than telling you what to do, I’ll help you explore your own ideas, strengths and options. The belief at the heart of coaching is that you are capable and resourceful. Sometimes you just need the right space and questions to unlock that.

2. What can I expect in a coaching session?

Each session is a structured but relaxed conversation, usually lasting around 60 minutes.

We’ll begin by agreeing what you’d like to focus on that day and what a useful outcome would look like. I’ll ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully and occasionally reflect back what I’m hearing. Together we’ll explore your thinking, challenge unhelpful assumptions and identify practical next steps.

By the end of the session, you’ll leave with greater clarity and a clear idea of what you want to do next.

3. Will you give me advice or tell me what to do?

In short, no!

My role isn’t to give advice or solutions. Instead, I help you uncover your own. That might involve offering observations, sharing patterns I notice or inviting you to look at something from a different angle. But the decisions are always yours.

This approach builds confidence, independence and lasting change, rather than quick fixes.

4. How is coaching different from counselling or mentoring?

Coaching focuses mainly on the present and future: where you are now and where you’d like to be. Counselling often looks more deeply at past experiences and emotional healing. Mentoring usually involves someone sharing their own experience or expertise to guide you.

If at any point I believe you would be better supported by a different type of professional, I’ll say so openly.

5. Is everything I say confidential?

Yes. Confidentiality is fundamental to coaching.

What you share in our sessions stays between us, except in very rare situations where there is a legal or safety obligation. This creates a safe, non-judgemental space where you can think honestly and speak freely.