What is Life Coaching?
Introduced in a Q&A format
Q
What is the difference between life coaching and counselling?
A
Counselling is an approach that supports emotional healing by working through past experiences and emotional wounds.
Life coaching, on the other hand, focuses on the present and the future — it's a conversational form of support.
Through dialogue with a coach, you will:
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Become aware of your true feelings and values
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Discover strengths and possibilities you hadn't noticed before
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Explore the direction you want your life to take
While we cannot change the past, the life ahead of us can be shaped by our own choices and actions. Life coaching is the time to find that first step.
Q
Can life coaching treat mental illness such as depression?
A
Life coaching is not a medical practice and is not intended to treat mental illness such as depression.
If you are currently experiencing intense anxiety or prolonged low mood, I recommend first consulting a medical professional or qualified counsellor.
Life coaching is a supportive space for those who are in a stable state of mind and wish to:
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Explore their direction in life
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Expand their sense of possibility
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Reflect on how they want to live going forward
Many clients come to coaching after a period of recovery, as a way to look forward with renewed energy.
Q
Is life coaching like a fortune reading that tells you your future?
A
Life coaching is not fortune-telling, nor is it the coach giving one-sided advice.
In coaching, through conversation, we explore together:
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What do I truly want?
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What kind of life do I want to live?
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What choices do I want to make going forward?
In most cases, the answers already lie within you. Coaching is the time to become aware of those answers and find choices and actions that feel truly yours.
Q
How are coaching sessions conducted?
A
Sessions are held online, one-on-one, via Zoom or Google Meet.
Being able to see each other's faces during the video call allows for communication that includes expressions and atmosphere, leading to a deeper sense of understanding.
As sessions are online, you can participate from anywhere in the world.
I recommend finding a quiet, comfortable space where you can speak freely. Being relaxed helps make for a more fulfilling session.
Q
Do I need to attend life coaching regularly?
A
My coaching is available as single sessions — there is no requirement to commit to a series, and I will never pressure you into booking further sessions.
Even a single session can bring new clarity and a sense of direction through organising your thoughts.
You're welcome to book additional sessions whenever you feel you'd like to explore a topic more deeply, or when a new theme comes to mind.
Compatibility with your coach is also important. I encourage you to try a session and see how it feels for you.
Q
What is NLP?
A
NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming — a psychological approach to understanding patterns of thought and behaviour in order to create positive change.
Developed in the United States in the 1970s, it is now used across a wide range of fields including business, education, sports, and coaching.
In my coaching, I draw on NLP principles to support you in:
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Organising your thinking
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Becoming aware of your values and potential
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Finding positive steps forward
We often act based on unconscious patterns of thought. Through NLP, you can become aware of these patterns and begin making choices that feel more authentically yours.
Q
What do we talk about in the first session?
A
In the first session, we begin by talking freely about how you're feeling right now and any themes that are on your mind.
For example:
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The direction of your life going forward
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Work or career
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How you're feeling about living abroad
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Relationships or day-to-day uncertainties
Any theme is welcome.
Through conversation, we'll work together to organise your thoughts and uncover your true feelings, values, and sense of direction.
No special preparation is needed. Even if you're not sure what to talk about, that's completely fine — we'll start simply by having a relaxed conversation.
Q
What is the difference between consulting an AI like ChatGPT and life coaching?
A
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AI can be helpful for organising words and information. However, it cannot pick up on the feelings behind your words — the tone of your voice, the pauses, the expression on your face.
In coaching, your coach senses what you haven't yet put into words and gently draws out your true feelings. Being truly heard and supported by another person is often what sparks real change.
Even if you arrive saying "I'm not sure what's wrong" — that's perfectly fine. Together, we'll find the values and honest feelings within you that you may not yet have noticed.