WHAT IS A COACH?

Coaching reflects a one-on-one relationship with a caring, supportive professional who works on building the student up to a higher level of functioning. 

Coaches provide intensive support and investigate the sources that are blocking the client so that an individual can improve their confidence, motivation, and performance. The coach focuses on strategies to help clients can become more whole so they can reach higher levels of functioning. They may help introduce new skills and assist until the client has integrated both the new habits and the ability to problem-solve independently the next time a specific challenge presents itself.  Coaches may also challenge the client to brainstorm and find new ways to incorporate other aspects of their lives into the learning process.

Additionally, a coach helps the client become more self-aware of other practical life skills resources they can build them to become more independent. The coach is not the only expert in the relationship but rather your partner in assisting you to improve. They do not have to perform better than you in an area like a consultant, rather they need to intentionally help you better see your blind spots. Finally, coaches help the client focus on learning and being self-aware of the tools they will need to succeed throughout their difficulties while promoting balance and structure between the client’s academic, professional, and personal lives. Overall, coaches help you to manage your whole school/life experience rather than just mastering subject content in one area.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COACHING, COUNSELING, MENTORING, AND TUTORING?

Many of the skills/techniques these different professionals have and use are similar. Sometimes some services even overlap. Here are the similarities:

• All listed professions are based on an ongoing, confidential, one-to-one relationship between the practitioner and their client/student.

• Students/Clients come to services wanting change.

• They all assume that significant change will only occur over time.

• Within all of the relationships, regular sessions are scheduled, during which conversations occur.

Here are some of the main differences:

Coaches work with people who are:

• At an appropriate place psychologically and are eager to move to a higher level of functioning

• Seeking focus, strategy, and motivation

• Primarily asking “How?” to questions

• Designing their future

• Learning new skills

• Seeking more balance in their lives

Counselors are mental health professionals who work with people who are:

• Seeking self-understanding

• Primarily asking “Why?” questions

• Treating the past issues, emotional pain, or traumas

• Psychologically challenged in a quantifiable way

• Sometimes needing advice or a very directive approach

Mentoring is a long-term relationship where the focus is on supporting the growth and development of the mentee/student. The mentor is a source of wisdom, teaching, and support, but not someone who observes and advises on specific actions or behavioral changes in daily work. Mentoring requires that the mentor have expertise in the area that the mentee/student seeks advice.

Tutoring is about helping students understand a subject so that they can do well in particular classes. Tutors are skilled in a specific subject matter, and they tend to focus on what a student needs to learn for a class. They use traditional teaching methods to help students work toward an outcome-oriented goal, usually earning a particular letter grade.

WHAT ARE SOME POSSIBLE TOPICS THAT CLIENTS COVER IN SESSIONS?

• Stress reduction & management;

• Family & Peer relationship challenges;

• Self-care, mindfulness & relaxation strategies;

• Improving communication with parents, friends, and/or teachers; 

• ADHD traits & Executive Function weaknesses;

• Self-confidence and self-esteem building;

• Assertiveness and self-advocacy skills;

• Career path and Future direction;

• “Real-time” Decision-making;

• Personal leadership & self-responsibility;

• Pressure self-imposed & peer-pressure;

• Adjusting to changes in schedule or usual routines;

• Managing positive and negative emotions about academics;

• Getting unstuck during different phases of assignments or from particular thoughts;

• Identifying clearly-defined short and long-term goals;

• Remaining focused on and motivated to complete goals when you face roadblocks;

• Making plans to conquer homework and assignments;

• Starting and figuring out the correct amount of time needed for tasks;

• How to take better class notes;

• How to succeed at school or work while also having a personal life (balance);

• The use of technology to help with organization and time management; 

• How to use items and people that you have in your life to help reach your goals; and

• Learning unique and anti-boring strategies to study and remember anything so you can feel more confident about your academic life.

WHERE DO YOU HOLD YOUR SESSIONS?

All coaching services are virtual. Our sessions are held online using Zoom software, so it is easy for us to accommodate clients in time zones other than my own. We provide a link to a private online office so no username log-ins are needed by the student/client. This software allows for the use of GoogleDocs, screen sharing, video chatting, online drawing tools, and more so that virtual clients stay busy throughout the session. Clients usually love meeting this way as it cuts down on travel time and allows them to stay in the comfort of their own space.

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE DO YOU WORK WITH?

We can work with many types of learners/students across the lifespan. However, we prefer to work with clients (age 16+) who:

• Struggle academically and fall behind in their studies due to difficulties with turning in assignments, organization, time management, and planning skills;

• Are unhappy, overwhelmed, or frustrated with school and/or work;

• Are perfectionists who procrastinate because they are concerned about making mistakes;

• Have learning differences such as ADHD, working memory, or executive function challenges;

• Require a boost or some external support;

• College students who never had to study in high school but are now having trouble keeping up;

• Are struggling to adjust to a higher level of expectations; 

• Young adults (18 to about 29);

• Teens (16+);

• Graduate students;

• Working students;

• Life-long learners;

• Older adults who are returning back to school after gaining some life experience;

• Young professionals who struggle with work/life balance, time management, or need to get organized;

• Teachers and other school-based staff (who are often life-long learners);

• Individuals trying to learn a new skill or trade; and/or

• Clients who are not in school but need to pass licensure and/or certification exams.

DO YOU WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS AND/OR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT STUDENTS?

Yes!! Although this business was started to primarily work with teens (16+) and young adults (18-29) who are students, I am trained to understand and able to work with a variety of individuals and many kinds of topics. Some of my coaching clients are not students and/or might be 30 years of age or older.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “EVIDENCE-BASED COACHING”?

Not sure if I can help? Need something slightly different? Want to learn more and/or find out if we are a good fit? Please contact me or schedule a consultation so we can discuss your unique situation.

**NOTE: Due to the virtual nature of my services, I personally do not work with individuals who are under the age of 16 as I believe that in-person coaching sessions maximize the opportunity for growth with the style of coaching that I offer that specific age group (my sessions would be modified to include collaborative family partnering for success and/or more skills instruction).