Coaching does many things! With a focus on forward movement and transformation, it can help you to create new neural pathways to shift thoughts, beliefs and open up new opportunities.

Coaching is unlike other professional relationships. In coaching, both client and coach co-create the conditions and results of coaching. Just as a coach spends time preparing, following up and contributing to the coaching relationship, it is also your responsibility to be present, come prepared, follow up on accountability, and provide input on the coaching relationship in order to reach your goals, access new insight and transform.

Coaching is distinct among other supportive professionals. Mentoring, consulting, teaching and therapy and coaching all have their place in supporting our humanity and growth.

Therapy usually seeks to bring resolution to our history. Mentoring is the imparting of knowledge from personal experience. Consulting is where a person has a system or way of doing things that they feel is the best or right way, often imposing a process on a client. Teaching is where a person imparts theory or knowledge. These professions typically have a hierarchical approach, where the person holds knowledge or power over a person. A coaching approach is marked by a belief in drawing out the self-knowledge and wisdom of the client first and foremost, instead of telling the client what to do.

I think in some ways, yes, self-coaching is possible, perhaps asking yourself curious questions as a form of reflective practice for leadership and for life in general, however; there is nothing quite the same as a coaching relationship and the professional tools we learn as part of the process. It’s also about relationship and another person who can call you forth and co-design accountability. Even as a professional coach, I personally continue to see the value in accessing coaching and I expect I always will.

This depends on your goals, commitment and context. Some things may shift quite quickly. Creating greater and greater awareness of self, others and systems is one of the ways that we build and sustain change. The reality is, building lasting and embodied change requires practice. New neural pathways can be built in an instant, but it takes sustained use to shift from embedded pathways (habits) to more of what you’re looking to create.

Session Length: Typically 50-60 minutes for individuals and upwards of 90 for teams.

Commitment: This depends on the situation, we work this out together.

Confidentiality: Within the limits of the law, what is discussed within a coaching session remains confidential.

Investment: Within the field of coaching, rates vary greatly. A professional coach is typically upwards of $150/hour depending on credentials. Invoke Coaching maintains a commitment of working towards ways of making coaching more accessible, including working with non-profit organizations, providing pro-bono and sliding scale, as capacity allows.

Flow of sessions: They are all depending on the individual and topic, but typically include a topic that the client wants movement on, focused coaching around that topic (which could include deepening self-awareness, exploring perspectives, creating new ways forward, etc.) and a clear picture of next steps, including accountability measures designed with the client. In short, it’s a lot of talking, listening, questions and movement!