frequently
asked questions
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| 1. |
What's
the difference between life coaching and counselling? |
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Life
coaching is primarily concerned with setting goals for the
future and getting practical and psychological support in
obtaining those goals. Counselling does this as well, but
counselling can also look at the reasons why you're feeling
like you are and if there are any issues in the past that
are preventing you from achieving your goals. |
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| 2. |
If
I come for life coaching how will I be sure that I'm not getting
'counselled'? |
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Both
life coaching and counselling is person centred - you as the
client are in total control of the session. If you do not
wish to enter into a counselling relationship we will remain
focused on achieving your goals. |
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| 3. |
Are
you available 24 hours a day in case I reach a crisis situation? |
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As
well as regular sessions I can be contacted via email for
additional support and on some occasions via phone. I do
not run a crisis helpline. If emergency support is needed
clients should contact either the Samaritans on 08457 90
90 90 or contact their doctor or nearest hospital. All additional
contact is charged at the regular rate.
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| 4. |
Is
it confidential? |
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Yes.
For my full code of conduct please see: www.counselling.ltd.uk/ccc.htm.
As a practising Counsellor I also see my own supervisor
on a regular basis to discuss the best ways I can assist
my clients.
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| 5. |
You
offer Internet counselling - how affective is this? |
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Part
of my MSc. involved researching the effectiveness of online
counselling. Although online counselling can be a valuable
option for many people, it does have its limitations. Non-verbal
communication is lost on electronic communication, and the
Internet cannot transmit physical signs of sorrow, joy, humour
or discomfort. All of these signs are a valuable part of the
counselling process and are lost over the Internet. For these
reason, online counselling may not be suitable for everyone. |
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| 6. |
If
I start off as an Internet client, can I start to see you
face to face, or vice versa? |
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Yes.
As our time together proceeds, you may find it beneficial
to see me less often on a face to face basis and need less
regular support via the internet. You may also feel that after
a few online sessions it may be beneficial to see me face
to face. |
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| 7. |
How
many sessions do most people usually have? |
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There
is no hard and fast rule as to how many session you will
need whether you come for counselling or life coaching.
In my experience a minimum of 6 sessions is usually required.
After six sessions both of us may have a better idea of
how much work needs to be done.
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| 8. |
Your
MSc is from a university in the USA? How does this training
compare to training in the UK? |
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The MSc. in Mental Health Counselling was a long course which
required me to complete many different modules before obtaining
the qualification. The level of training and education involved
is in excess of the requirements of an equivalent course in
the UK. Some of the areas covered include Abnormal Psychology,
the Clinical Application of Human Development, Theories of
Personality Development, Psychopharmacology, Family Therapy
and Systems Theory, Perspectives in Cross Cultural Counselling,
Vocational Development and Career Counselling, Group Counselling
and Group Dynamics, Substance Abuse in the Family and a 900
hour internship. More recently I have been able to merge my
UK qualifiations with my US qualifications and have been awarded
the title of Chartered Counselling Psychologist. |
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| 9. |
What
sort of people see a life coach and what sort of people see
a counsellor? |
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There
are no typical 'types' of people who come to see a life coach
or a counsellor. In general though, if you're someone who
needs support in moving forward and maybe insight into how
to do something better, seeing a life coach could be beneficial.
And if you're someone who feels they need to examine their
lives in more detail in order to move forward, counselling
could be an initial step before working with me on strategies
to move forward. |
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| 10. |
Why
is there a stigma still attached to Counselling? |
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Unfortunately
a large number of people still associate counselling with
mental illness, a viewpoint emphasized in Life Coaching Training
and manuals. In reality counselling is sought out by a variety
of people who may be experiencing some of the problems mentioned
previously on this web site. Fortunately the stigma is disappearing
as more and more people are having very positive experiences
from seeking out the help of a counsellor. |
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| 11. |
You
don't seem to have a formal life coaching qualification? |
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Life
coaching and counselling use VERY similar techniques to enable
an individual to move forward with their lives. Life Coaching
qualifications can be picked up by anyone with a spare £2,500
for six months training. My training is in excess of the level
necessary to become a life coach. |
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| 12. |
Are
you going to tell me how to fix my life? |
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No.
What I can do is guide you into unlocking your true potential
and allow you greater insight into what may be making you
unhappy. Any decisions you make about your life will derive
directly from you and not me. As a result, you the client
will have responsibilities for your decisions and a greater
sense of achievement. The best person to change your life
is you. My responsability is to support you through the counselling
/ coaching process only. What you decide to do with what arises
from that support is up to you. |
The
Counselling Life Coach