FAQs
I’ve never done this before–what is coaching and how does it work?
The purpose of coaching is to help people enhance the quality of their lives—to grow or expand personally or professionally. That may mean there’s a problem that needs solving, a goal to be reached or life changes to be dealt with. The process is creative, thought-provoking and supportive.
First, we’ll talk a little on the phone or by email about what you’re looking for. That may be what you’d like different in your life or where you’re stuck in moving forward. If it sounds to me like coaching will help your situation, I’ll describe how that might go. I’ll give you a beginning game plan.
You’ll be getting a sense of who I am, asking whatever questions you have, and deciding whether I seem like someone you would be comfortable working with. If the fit doesn’t seem right, I’ll help you find someone else. Your future well-being is important to me.
Why do people come to coaching?
People who come to coaching are usually high-functioning and successful people who want to go beyond where they are. These are the same people who would hire a coach to improve their golf or tennis game. The same people who get consultation in their business. The same who hire a financial planner to assist with their finances. They want to speed up their growth or maximize an opportunity. They might want help for a specific task or project. Or they may want to restructure their life and that’s why they come to a coach.
You might hire a coach:
- To achieve a goal, solve a problem or make a change
- To identify blocks or fears so you can move beyond them
- To learn new methods of creative problem-solving
- To re-organize or re-prioritize your life or career
- To learn from insightful and honest feedback
- To get support and clarity about your personal journey
How often will I need to come and for how long?
Most mentoring and coaching takes place once a week or once every other week. How long you come depends on various things. We’ll talk about this in more detail during the first few sessions as we are getting to know each other. There are no quick fixes in this process. Sometimes a few sessions is all that’s needed. Other times, something brief is needed—three months or so. Sometimes a longer time is necessary or desired. You might come for a few months and then stop, with the understanding that you can return on an “as needed” basis. You’re likely to experience the benefits for a long time after you’ve stopped coming.
What’s the format of coaching?
Typically, coaching sessions are done on the phone, once a week, for about 30 minutes. Coaching groups are generally 60 minutes. The first session of either may be longer and may be face-to-face if that’s convenient. Even though scheduled contact is generally once a week, coaches are generally available to you by email or phone anytime. The focus is generated by the client. We’ll identify goals through assessments and questions, and break them down into small practical, measurable steps. Together we’ll develop an action plan using your strengths. This helps you move steadily toward your goal(s). Reinforcement and support is available to you through email between sessions.
What’s the difference between psychotherapy and coaching?
Coaching is not psychotherapy. However, both are considered to be helping professions. In both, eliminating self-defeating beliefs and behaviors is part of the process. Both use knowledge of human behavior, motivation, behavioral change, and interactive counseling techniques.
Life coaching differs from therapy in that the focus is on the future and action rather than on the past and healing. Maximizing existing strengths, and moving toward a specific goal is central in coaching. Coaching is more results and action-focused than therapy. It doesn’t explore issues that deal with the past. People turn to coaches when their life is going well. Usually they are high-functioning people who want to expand their lives and their general outlook.
Psychotherapy, on the other hand, is a health care service. Its goal is to change dysfunctional behaviors and help patients cope with their psychological problems. It is usually reimbursable through health insurance policies (while coaching is not, at present).
Coaching and Mentoring have a great deal in common. People want to develop a better self, whether that self is in relation to something personal or in relation to school, work, business, or profession. Mentors assist in fulfilling dreams and aspirations. They may become role models as well.
What makes coaching work?
There are many variables that contribute:
- I believe in you so you tend to take yourself more seriously.
- Better goals tend to be set and that naturally moves you forward.
- You identify and use your strengths which lead to an upward success spiral.
- You develop new skills.
- I’m your partner. Working together tends to feel more empowering than working alone.
- The synergy between us creates momentum.
- Prioritizing tasks together makes it more likely that the tasks will be accomplished.
- Tasks are put into manageable pieces which avoids the feeling of overwhelm.
- Time limits and deadlines may be set which reduces or eliminates procrastination.
- Accountability–knowing that you have to report to someone on progress moves you to completion.
- My expertise and experience makes the process efficient and effective
How do I know that coaching is working?
This is a tricky question since everybody has a different response time to coaching. A coach can be considered a thinking partner who helps generate clarity, options and a path of action on what you want to work on. This process may take a few months or it may take a few years, but the process usually follows this pattern: after a short time, you will start to feel a bit clearer on what you want in your life, or how to solve a particular situation. Then you will start to notice that things are just getting better, that you are feeling better about your life, that things aren’t bothering you as much as before. You may get busy exploring the new possibilities that have emerged. Or you may begin “fine-tuning” what you want and re-focusing your intentions. This process of fine-tuning will continue as you grow and change. You’re likely to feel a new sense of self-acceptance and peace.
Can coaching be effective over the telephone?
Experience of many, many people suggests the answer is “yes”. Many feel that they can more authentically express themselves on the phone.
Telephone coaching means you can choose the best coach for you regardless of geography. Stereotypes, which are conveyed through visual cues which may distract, aren’t present. Many coaches believe that telephone coaching creates higher energy and a dynamic that’s more interest driven.
How do I get started?
To set up your first session, call the office number: 301.951.9645 or email me: DrMarilynLammert@gmail.com
What if I have a question that hasn’t been answered here?
Call 301.951.9645 or send me an email. I’m happy to answer any questions.
Take the next step to move forward—set up a session!
