What exactly is life coaching, and how does it work?
A life coach is a professional who provides guidance, practical tools, and support to help you gain clarity, take action, and move toward your goals. Unlike therapy, coaching is future-focused and action-oriented. Life coaching is a practical partnership that invites you to set clear goals, experiment with new tools and routines, and build real progress step-by-step—one sustainable change at a time. My role is to invite, support, and challenge you to discover your own wisdom and truth as you create meaningful, lasting change.
How is coaching different from therapy, mentoring, or advice from family?
Coaching is different from therapy or advice from family. Therapy focuses on diagnosing what’s pathological and healing the past, while mentoring is about giving advice. Coaching is about skill-building and practical action steps between sessions, plus exposing limiting beliefs and learning to challenge and change them. A coach doesn’t give advice, but believes you are whole and capable, and helps you find your own solutions and strengths. There’s no diagnosis or judgment—just support, structure, and a clear action plan for growth. All successful people—from athletes to executives—work with coaches, because progress is easier and more effective with a trained professional that supports your goals.
What does a typical coaching process look like from start to finish?
We start with an in-depth assessment and clarify your goals. Each session, we meet for 30-60 minutes (depending on your schedule). Between sessions, you’ll experiment with new habits or tools and track your progress. The process is structured but flexible to your needs. Some clients continue to work with me on an ongoing basis always choosing the next 2+ goals they wish to improve. (It makes life easier and growth is faster.)
Here are the practical steps mapped out:
- Initial Conversation: We get clear on your goals and what you want to change or create.
- A Battery of Assessment: We identify current strengths and skills—and where you’d like to grow.
- Goal-Setting: You’ll pick 1–2 focus goals and we’ll break them into small, manageable steps.
- Ongoing sessions: 30-60 minutes each (according to your schedule), with practical action steps and accountability.
- Support Between Sessions: You can reach out for quick check-ins or encouragement as needed.
- Progress Review: We celebrate wins, adjust plans, and keep you moving forward with momentum.
What results can I expect from coaching?
Clients usually experience real change—whether it’s becoming more independent, landing a job, finishing school, or finally developing routines that stick. You’ll leave with new skills, more confidence, and tools that help you stay organized and motivated. Many clients say they feel genuinely empowered and able to handle challenges that once felt impossible. The process is hands-on: you’ll set goals, practice new habits, and build progress you can measure and celebrate.
Clients often report:
- Greater clarity about their strengths, what they want (and how to get there)
- Stronger executive functioning and practical life skills
- Increased motivation, hope, and self-belief
- Consistent action on goals that matter
- Reduced anxiety and stress replaced by steady progress
- A sense of support, confidence, and new direction
Does a life coach do the work for me?
In short, no. As a coach, my job is to help guide you, help you understand yourself, discover your beliefs and values, and plan out your ideal future – with those in mind. There will be homework assignments after each session and it’s up to you to complete those. Accountability is key.
What if I need to cancel a session?
Accountability is key in reaching maximum potential. Coaching a Client can be a work in progress and may require ongoing, regular sessions. If the Client needs to cancel and reschedule a session they may do so 48 hours prior to the session. If not rescheduled at the time of cancellation, the Coach will not make up that session, unless deemed an emergency. The Client must provide minimum of 1 week written notice if they would like to discontinue all remaining package sessions.
What if I can’t make progress because of past issues?
If a Client is focused on fixing or coming to terms with the past, or wants to discuss subjects outside of the Coach’s scope, the Coach may suggest alternative guidance, such as counseling.
Are the sessions confidential?
The Coach agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Client, unless the Client provides written permission. Confidential Information does not include information that: (a) was in the Coach’s possession prior to its being furnished by the Client; (b) is generally known to the public or in the Client’s industry; (c) is obtained by the Coach from a third party, without breach of any obligation to the Client; (d) is independently developed by the Coach without use of or reference to the Client’s confidential information; or (e) the Coach is required by statute, lawfully issued subpoena, or by court order to disclose; (f) is disclosed to the Coach and as a result of such disclosure the Coach reasonably believes there to be an imminent or likely risk of danger or harm to the Client or others; and (g) involves illegal activity. The Client also acknowledges his or her continuing obligation to raise any confidentiality questions or concerns with the Coach in a timely manner.
When can I expect to see changes?
The best life coaches will tell you that it all depends on your effort, accountability, and what you want to change. If you want to lose weight for example, it won’t happen overnight that you see your body change. However, in a short amount of time, you may begin to have past beliefs transformed in a huge way. The new beliefs create new behavior to help achieve your goals. If they are not changing, the Coach will help you learn why this may be happening.