Frequently Asked Questions
What is individual coaching?
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The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) define coaching as a professionally guided process that inspires clients to maximise their personal and professional potential through a structured, purposeful, and transformational partnership.
It is a collaborative process within a confidential relationship. As coaches we act as a listener and facilitator, not as a problem solver or advisor. We do not tell you how or what to think.
We create an independent, psychologically safe environment as a thinking space, for you to process without interruption, judgement or bias.
Is it like therapy or counselling?
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No. As with these other modalities, coaching is person centred. However it differs significantly in that we do not seek to heal emotional or psychological issues.
Coaching sessions are grounded in the present and future focussed. We may visit past experiences to inform future progression, working together to establish both professional and personal aspirations, and how to achieve them.
We do sign-post clients to other modalities if we believe this will benefit them, consistent with the EMCC Code of Ethics.
What can individual coaching help me with?
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Coaching can enable you to make informed and clear decisions about your own individual situation. Our coaching gives your brain a calm and psychologically safe thinking space, where you can explore many topics within a desire to change, or improve aspects of your personal or professional life. Coaching helps with goal setting and maintaining forward momentum.
Is individual coaching confidential?
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Yes. This is extremely important for every individual, so that they can be honest and open with thoughts and feelings, subsequently exploring their understanding. Particularly in today’s world of intense competition in the workplace and the job market, it is imperative that individuals can speak freely in a coaching session, in a neutral environment without judgement, bias or ulterior motive at play.
How does an individual coaching session work?
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Sessions are typically 30, 60 or 90 minutes in length. They are conversations focussed around what the individual wishes to bring, often working towards an aspiration through exploration, and where appropriate, goal setting.
Each sessions starts with contracting to understand personal and professional boundaries, maintain confidentiality and to open up a psychologically safe space.
Your coach will establish what you’d like to achieve in the session, then ask questions around this, pausing and inviting reflection - known as ‘holding space’. Your coach will ascertain where you might wish to explore next, and will check in to make sure you are on track with what your desired session outcome is.
Your coach will partner with you throughout, and together you will find your ideal cadence. A session will often conclude with actions for the ‘coachee’ if that is what their desired outcome was. Sometimes it is simply the space to think aloud, without interruption.
How many sessions will I need?
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This is individual, however we do offer a six session package as this appears to be the ideal number of sessions to establish a full rapport, explore many themes and really reap the benefits of the coaching partnership.
We offer single sessions, which are commonly utilised after a coaching package as a monthly or quarterly ‘check-in’. However they can be booked on an ‘as and when’ basis, according to client need.
How do I get started?
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Get in touch by emailing info@harperfairweather.co.uk and we’ll set up a discovery call at your convenience. You will be put under no obligation to take up our services, nor will your information be used to send you marketing information, unless you specifically request this. This is simply your opportunity to ask questions and suss us out!
If you are interested in group coaching or corporate coaching please contact julia@harperfairweather.co.uk
Is coaching regulated?
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Not at the moment. However coaching has professional bodies that support coaching development and ethical practice. The three main bodies are; Association of Coaching (AC), European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
There are many coaches available and it can be hard to choose among them. Our recommendation is to choose an accredited practitioner with one of the above, or as a minimum a coach who has completed accredited training with one of the above.
At Harper Fairweather Coaching, Julia Fairweather is an accredited EMCC Practitioner and holds a Professional Certified Coach Diploma accredited with the AC, EMCC and ICF. All associate coaches are either Professional or Associate Certified Coaches, or hold a recognised AC, EMCC, ICF qualification or accreditation.