- (518) 466-7024
- david@dslleads.com
What is coaching?
The International Coach Federation defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Coaching differs from mentoring, consulting, training, or therapy. Coaching considers you the expert of your life, and starts with the premise that you are creative, resourceful, and whole.
Coaching is a life-changing process that helps you discover and articulate your goals, identify barriers that get in your way, and define strategies and plans to rapidly move forward. Coaching challenges you to stretch in new ways and gently holds you accountable for doing the things you say you want to do.
How is coaching different from therapy?
Life coaching is very different from therapy. Therapy looks at the past and the “why” of behavior. Psychological issues may also come up in coaching, but coaching is less about the “why” and more about the simple reality of who you are today and who you want to be in the future. Coaching requires motivation to change; it is often said that therapy is for people who need to change while coaching is for people who want to change.
In addition, coaching is all about moving forward and achieving results. The pace of change is much faster than in therapy. Coaching with me, you will find yourself growing and changing within the first few sessions. Coaching is a model that considers people naturally resourceful and whole. It is a model of health and wellness, not one of pathology.
*Please note that David Liebschutz is not a mental health professional. For people suffering from mental health illnesses or substance abuse, you must get care from an appropriately trained professional.
How does coaching over the phone compare to coaching in person?
Coaching works equally well whether in person or over the phone. Given that one of our biggest challenges is living in a negative time zone, even a client in close proximity to the coach often prefers getting coached over the phone. You can save time by being coached in your office or conference room at work, or from home.
Some people are reticent to get coaching from someone at their home institution or city and prefer an expert in another city. Many people find that coaching by phone gives them more freedom to be fully honest about their life and what is going on. Others prefer the direct contact of meeting in person. It’s completely up to individual preference.
Is what we discuss confidential?
Completely. Confidentiality is critical for you to have trust in me as your coach. What we discuss is entirely confidential. I will never mention your name, anything that could identify you, or anything you have discussed. You deserve to have a place where you can feel safe saying anything you want. I hold your confidentiality in the highest regard.
Does coaching work for everyone?
If you are motivated to make changes in your life, then coaching will work for you. Coaching is not like taking a course; you don’t just show up, do your homework, and get credit. You have to want to change and be ready to do so. Coaching also takes time. It’s like going to the gym. Going once or twice will not lead to progress. Coaching typically requires at least three months to achieve sustainable change.
As your coach, I am results oriented and am fully committed to helping you achieve your goals. For coaching to be successful, you need to be willing to look inward, face what may sometimes be difficult truths, be willing to stretch yourself into new ways of living, and be honest in sharing what you are experiencing. As your coach I also hold you accountable in the service of helping you reach your goals. You and I will co-create an accountability structure that is individualized for you.
In summary, as long as you want to change, you can.
Contact me to discuss any of these aspects of coaching.