Life Coaching

 

Life Coaching is a collaborative relationship between coach and client that involves identifying personal and/or career goals, developing steps for achieving these and working together to ensure success. The focus of the approach is to empower the client with the requisite skills and motivation to initiate and maintain this process themselves.

 

Rather than being problem oriented, coaching focuses on activating client strengths to achieve goals in areas that the client wishes to make changes. This process may, initially, involve focusing on decision-making in order to clarify these goals and create concrete targets. Once these are identified, client and counsellor develop a step-by-step plan that builds toward the desired outcome(s). A critical element in this process is to ensure that barriers to achieving success are addressed. Initial brainstorming is invaluable and allows the client to explore obstacles, both personal and situational, that may impede progress. These are discussed in a way that is both non-judgmental and encouraging. Clients learn to frame these obstacles as opportunities to employ their strengths, rather than seeing them as weaknesses that must be “fixed”.

 

Regular sessions are used to review progress and to address any new challenges that have arisen since the last meeting. Again, the focus is on recognition and validation of the progress that has been made and strategizing as to how best maintain momentum toward the identified goals.

 

It is important to note that, when mental health issues are interfering with the client’s ability to move forward, it may be necessary to engage in counselling to address these. Depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment disorders and some relationship issues may require counselling instead of, or as a precursor to, coaching.

 

ADHD Coaching

 

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a developmental disorder that probably affects between 10 and 20 percent of the population. It can negatively impact learning, employment and relationships. People with ADHD are more likely to lose jobs, struggle with school, experience relationship breakdowns and have co-occurring problems with depression, anxiety and addiction. The most effective interventions for addressing ADHD are counselling, coaching and medication. With or without medication, individuals must learn to initiate and complete tasks, set priorities, manage finances and deal with distractions in their day-to-day existence. In addition to developing and applying these skills, they often carry a burden of low self-esteem as a result of the struggles they have experienced in their lives. A combination of coaching and counselling provides the skills necessary to be successful, as well as building confidence and promoting the development of self efficacy.

 

Services

 

• Individual Coaching: Cognitive-behavioural and skill building to establish functional strategies for success in school, work, leisure activities and relationships. $165/hr