Q: What is Coaching?

A: Coaching is about helping clients determine where they currently are in the journey of their lives and where they would like to be, clarifying their life goals, and identifying action steps to reach these goals. It is also about keeping the client motivated and accountable.

Q: Who is a Certified Coach and why is that important?

A: Currently, there are no federal regulations on becoming a Professional Coach. That means, anyone can call themselves a coach, regardless of training, background, and experience with working with people. International Coach Federation (ICF) was founded to address this void. To be a certified coach through ICF, a coach needs to go through in depth training via an accredited coach training institute, such as CTI, that includes gaining real coaching experience with intern clients and supervision. The coach also has to pass an oral and a written exam to gain the credential. Once certified, coaches need to take continuous education credits to renew their credential every 3 years. Click here to see Sibel’s professional credentials.

Q: What is the difference between Life Coaching and Therapy?

A: The main difference is that, in coaching, we start with the foundation that there is nothing to “fix” with the client. The client is creative, resourceful and whole. Therapy, on the other hand, is diagnostic and treatment based. Another difference is that, in coaching, we focus mainly on present and the future. Therapy usually deals with the past and the emphasis is on understanding the issues rather than action points and accountability.
There are also some similarities between the two. Both professions use techniques that are similar: active listening, being present in the moment, asking powerful questions, etc. However the intention behind those are different.

Q: How do I start?

A: The very first step is to call or e-mail us to schedule your 30 min. complimentary sample session. During this session, you will be able to ask any questions you might have on coaching and decide whether coaching is for you. If Yes, your next step will be to schedule your Discovery Session, which is a 90 minute coaching session conducted on the phone, Zoom or in-person. Learn more about these sessions here.

Q: How long are the coaching sessions?

A: Your first coaching session is the Discovery Session which is 90 minutes long. After that, we will decide how often and how long we will meet. This will be based on the current issues you would like to address in coaching, time availability and budget. Telephone coaching can be 45 min and 1 hour in length and in-person meetings vary between 2 to 3 hrs.

Q: Is there a minimum time I need to commit?

A: No, we do not require a minimum time commitment. Our coaching relation will continue as long as there is a benefit for you as the client. The time you need will depend on where you currently are, where you would like to be, and how committed you are to get there. Often times, when a client reaches a specific goal and experiences how coaching helped them to get there, they find another goal to work on and the coaching relationship continues.