FAQs

What is coaching?

Coaching is a dynamic process of self-discovery, growth, and personal and professional development. It is a partnership that helps clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Client-coach commitment to action is an important part of the process. Coaching is highly proactive and results oriented. It is focused on the present and future, rather than analysis of the past.

Coaches help clients enhance their skills, resources and creativity. They are trained to listen, observe and customize their approach to meet each client’s individual needs. In the coaching process, the client usually determines strategies and solutions and the coach acts as an empowering facilitator. Coaches view clients as having the answers, which the coach elicits through powerful questions. Coaching is a powerful tool that unblocks and clarifies situations. The space created for the client by the coach allows for new perspectives and new solutions to recurring issues.

A major key to the success of coaching is that coaches hold clients accountable for taking steps to live up to their fullest potential.

How does coaching work?

Each coaching partnership is different and depends on the particular client’s goals and visions. Coaches and clients meet for regularly scheduled prearranged sessions, either over the phone or in person. Most coaching is conducted by telephone.

In a typical session, the coach and client discuss challenges, ideas, successes, results, accomplishments and next steps. At the end of the call, coach and client agree on actions the client will take before the next session.

The coaching relationship is most effective with an initial three-month commitment and generally averages six months to a year in length. The relationship is strictly confidential.

What are the benefits of working with a coach?

People hire a coach to achieve their goals in both their professional and personal lives. Coaches work with clients to help them produce extraordinary results that they may not have considered possible. Some of the reasons people hire coaches is to focus on discovering new ways of enjoying themselves or expressing their talents, doing things more easily, and creating a balanced life. Most importantly clients learn how to take charge in a continuously changing world. Examples of situations where people have found it helpful to hire a coach are:

How much does it cost to hire a coach?

Most coaches who work with individuals typically charge a monthly fee from $250 to $600. Executive, corporate or team coaching costs more and can range from $1,000 to $10,000 per month depending on services that are often contractual. Some coaches make group coaching available at a lower rate than private coaching.

Most coaches offer complimentary sessions at which time, fees and services are discussed and customized to individual needs.

How do I find a coach?

This website includes contact information for all members of Westchester Coaches. Please visit our Coach Directory for more information. The International Coach Federation provides a Coach Referral Service to help you find an ICF-accredited coach in over 80 countries worldwide. Please click here to visit the ICF website.

You can also ask a friend or professional colleague if they know a good coach – you may be surprised that people you know have worked with one!

It’s a good idea to interview 2 or 3 coaches before making your choice. Coaches have their own unique styles and backgrounds. By talking to more than one coach, you can identify the one whose style best fits with your personality.

It is a good idea to have a list of questions to ask each coach about their training, background, coaching style, how they work, their fees and how they can help you. You should be prepared to explain what you are looking for as the outcome of the coaching partnership so that the coach can assess whether there’s a good fit. If not, a reputable coach will refer you to a colleague who may better fit your needs.

How can I find out more about coaching, coach training, and credentials to become a professional coach?

The International Coach Federation’s website is your most comprehensive and reliable resource for all information pertaining to the coaching profession.