What's the difference between Counselling and Coaching?

Counselling is a process of self-understanding and change to release us from negative thought and behaviour patterns.

Coaching is a goal oriented process intended to help people achieve their aspirations through acquiring new skills or confidence.

Sometimes the two approaches can work very well together.

What can coaching offer me?

Coaching can come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s incredibly important to find the right coach for you.

Find a coach who can offer you the skills you want. For many clients, sessions begin with a focus on a current problem they are facing, but there are often many parts to a problem. Everyone is unique and getting to root causes is crucial to ensure problems don’t simply keep repeating. Some key areas many people end up improving through coaching are communication, emotional strength, confidence, voice and body language, and empowered decision making. For many clients these improved skills can lead to profound changes and growth, or significant life or career advancements.

Find a coach with experience. Ask a potential coach how much experience they have in training people in the skills that interest you. If your coach has no real experience, you wont get the outcomes you are looking for. Look for a coach with a track record in delivering the skills that lead to success, happiness, love, or whatever it is you are seeking. Look for someone with a broad range, and a depth, of professional experience.

Beware that anyone can get a life coaching qualification online, this article provides further considerations http://www.cbsnews.com/news/top-10-professional-life-coaching-myths/

What can counselling offer me?

Counselling can be useful in so many ways - it is not simply problem-solving or advice-giving. The process can be life changing, leading to making better decisions and taking important actions. It all starts with finding a counsellor that is right for you.

Find a counsellor that feels right. Could you sit with this person for an hour or two per week for a period of a month or two? Do you feel you can relate to them as an equal? Could you talk freely with them? It’s important to follow your instincts with these questions. Sometimes booking one introductory session is a good way to test the water. Finding someone that feels right is by far the most important consideration. 

Find a counsellor that knows the power of the counselling relationship. Does your counsellor seek their own counselling? A good counsellor understands all that can be gained from the counselling relationship and actively seeks this for themselves. Seeking a counsellor is not a sign of weakness, far from it. Any thinking individual understands the power in self-awareness. It leads to growth, and with growth comes wisdom.  

Find a counsellor with the right experience. Some counsellors choose to work in a specific niche, while others are more holistic. Be proactive and ask lots of questions, such as: what do they know about the subject/issue? How would they plan to approach it?  How long would they expect the process to take?

This site lists some important considerations http://strategicpsychology.com.au/choosing-a-good-counsellor/

Do i have to commit to a certain number of sessions? 

No. People seek coaching or counselling for a variety of reasons. Some coaching/counselling relationships can last just a few weeks. Some can last a couple of months. Some people choose to attend less frequently but over a period of years rather than weekly. It all depends what you want out of the process.

How much does a session cost? and how long are they?

My prices are available here - full list of prices. Standard sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes, shorter or longer sessions can be arranged, depending on existing bookings.

Sometimes the hardest thing is making the first contact...

...but when you do, know that you are taking the first step toward creating the life that you want. Please feel free to ask me any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. All communications are strictly confidential.

If you booked an appointment I will look forward to seeing you on your chosen day/time. If you emailed questions, please give me a little more time to properly consider them, but in general I will aim to get back to you within 48 hours.