Frequently Asked Questions
What is coaching?
Coaching is a forward-looking, present-centred process that places the individual at the heart of every session. Through insightful and well-timed questioning, we help clients unlock their thinking and discover new perspectives. We pay close attention to how clients respond to their own narratives, often inviting deeper exploration to foster greater awareness of their thought patterns and behaviours.
Our coaches are professionally trained, drawing on a rich blend of approaches including Neuroscience, Positive Psychology, Psychodynamic theory, and established coaching methodologies. At the core of our practice is a deep commitment to equality and diversity, ensuring every client feels seen, respected and empowered.
Why choose Harper Fairweather coaching over AI?
AI has its place. As does instant coffee.
However, the real power of coaching is built on human connection and partnership. It’s about a coach being truly present, noticing the flicker of excitement in a person’s eyes, or the subtle shift in energy that reveals something deeper.
A skilled coach helps an individual navigate these moments, holding space for those half-formed thoughts hovering at the edge of their awareness, then guiding them to shape ideas and realisations into something meaningful and uniquely theirs.
At Harper Fairweather, our coaching is grounded in neuroscience and psychology. It’s not a script or a checklist. It’s a dynamic, human experience. Only a human coach can go deeper, respond intuitively and help unlock potentially life-changing insights.
Is coaching the same as therapy or counselling?
No. While both coaching and therapy support personal development, they differ in focus and approach. Therapy will often explore past experiences to foster psychological healing.
Coaching, by contrast, is rooted in the present and oriented toward the future. It is non directive and asks thoughtful questions that help individuals gain clarity, deepen awareness and find their own answers. This empowers them move forward with intention, with new found skills that they can rely on again and again.
Can coaching help with work-life balance?
Yes. Many people find it challenging to juggle work, family and personal time, often leading to stress and burnout. Coaching offers support by helping each individual clarify priorities, establish boundaries and develop practical strategies for a healthier work-life balance. Techniques may include identifying time management tools, stress reduction opportunities and awareness of the importance of well-being, thus ensuring they don’t lose sight of themselves in the process.
Is coaching regulated in the UK?
No, it is currently an unregulated industry. However this is likely to change as coaching becomes increasingly popular. There are several formal training bodies, with the most recognised being the International Coaching Federation, the European Management Council for Coaching and the Association for Coaching. An accreditation with any of these three bodies will guarantee that your coach has received professional and ethical training.
Our founder Julia Fairweather, started her formal training with Optimus Training Academy, undertaking the Professional Coaching Diploma; which is accredited to Level 2 with the ICF, Practitioner Level with the EMCC and Diploma level with the AC. All of our coaches undertake Continued Professional Development and will have individual specialisms within the sphere of coaching.
Harper Fairweather Ltd conform to the ICF Code of Ethics
Privacy and contracting
Confidentiality and your privacy is assured. We contract in written form before we start working with our Clients and then verbally at the start of each session. In this way we connect on a personal level and understand the parameters of our clients.
Unless a person is at risk of significant harm the sessions remain private and confidential to the individual.
Client identities remain confidential, however we are always grateful for our clients sharing their experiences with others and providing us with a review. There is never pressure to do so.
What happens in a coaching session?
Sessions are usually 30 or 60 minutes in length and take place online via Zoom. Face to face sessions can be arranged if within the London/South East area, however they are subject to additional fees. Corporate clients may have sessions held in person at their offices, depending on agreements in place.
No session is the same, just as no two people are. In each session we take time to understand an individual’s values, strengths, sense of self and what ignites their energy and passion.
A person might come to a session with a topic in mind, where they will be given the space to think aloud and have their critical thinking encouraged through incisive questions.
Or they might be ‘stuck’ and not know where to start, in which case we can offer exercises to help them focus on what it is that truly resonates as important to them.
We work together in partnership, to establish goals, future aspirations and ways of holding themselves accountable to these.
What are the fees?
Fees vary depending on what is required. Individual sessions start at £65 per hour, with discounted rates for whole programmes. Corporate contracts are bespoke.
How do I start the process?
Contact us and let us know what it is that you’d like help with. For individuals, we’ll arrange a free Discovery Call and take it from there.
With no obligation to undertake our coaching, why not get in touch? It genuinely could be the first step towards positive and lasting change.
