What is Coaching?

Written By Kasia Little

“You have the answers, I’ll help you find them.”

Coaching is a psychology-based and professionally-guided process designed to help you achieve a desired outcome.

It’s sometimes used interchangeably with mentoring, which involves a Mentor giving advice and imparting their knowledge and experience.

In coaching, however, the core principle is that people are fundamentally capable, resourceful and able to find their own way forward.

A Coach’s role is to help you surface that capability by creating the conditions in which you’re able to think freely, explore different perspectives and options, and take the actions that lead you to the outcomes you’re looking for.

The Coach:

  • Creates psychological safety & trust

  • Facilitates thinking

  • Listens actively without agenda

  • Ask questions without judgment

  • Uses feedback & observation to unlock new perspectives

  • Orientates you towards taking actions in service of your goals

In comparison, counselling tends to focus on processing past experiences and emotional healing related to trauma and grief, as well as other psychological issues. This is often the first line of support offered to people after unsuccessful IVF, pregnancy and baby loss, and infertility.

Many clients come to coaching after counselling or when they are feeling ready to move forward.

Kasia Little