Frequently Asked Questions

What is life coaching, and how does it work?

Life coaching is similar to any other type of coaching, counselling and mentoring process. The client, physician, or other has an issue and wants individualized and specialized coaching for self toward living a better life or eliminating/controlling a specific issue. 

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​What types of coaching do you offer?

A complete list of services is given on my home page.  From time to time referrals are made by another agency or health partner to request an assessment of clients they have in their practice to see if any fresh ideas are of value.  Other types of services are personal development, wellness or health issues, career coaching, etc.

 

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

Before seeing any coach, you must be committed to making your life as full as it could be. The type of coaching depends on the issue involved, and the scope of practice of the coach.

 

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Coaching is goal-oriented and focused on change management. Based on my experience, the issue that a client presents with (or is referred for) is often not the actual problem but rather a symptom of a deeper issue. Coaches typically have a limited number of clients and operate within a specific scope of practice. 

 

In contrast, therapy is centred around emotional healing and addressing mental health issues. Both coaching and therapy require specialized training and experience. At times, either service may need to refer clients to the other. For example, a coach working with a client may identify emotional trauma resulting from abuse. If addressing such trauma falls outside the coach's scope of practice, a referral to a mental health professional should be made.

 

What can I expect during my first session?

It depends on the specific practice of the coach. For my practice, the client is given an intake form to complete after the initial consultation, contract, and payment is completed. This intake form ensures that I have pertinent information as to the issue and is used at the initial meeting to agree on the coaching process and to plan the coaching strategy and the number and length of sessions. 

 

Do I need a referral from a healthcare provider to start coaching?

Each coach has their own requirements depending on their scope of practice. For my practice, if the client is experiencing an acute health/mental health issue and is under treatment then yes, they would require a referral. This protects the client and professionals.

 

How long do coaching sessions last?

The initial call to determine if the client is within the coach's scope of practice is normally 15 to 30 minutes long. If they become a client, the duration of each session and the number of sessions is determined during the first meeting.  My clients often prefer sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes. 

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How many sessions will I need?

This depends on the type and complexity of the issue. My clients tend to do biweekly sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes depending on the work being done. ​

 

Is coaching confidential?

Yes, my coaching is confidential unless the information disclosed is required to be reported by law or the coach has reason to believe the client may be a hazard to themselves or others.  

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What happens if I need to reschedule or miss a session?

Since clients are responsible for making changes in their lives, and you get what you put into making your changes happen, you must be committed to keeping all appointments.  Most coaches have policies around missing or cancelling a meeting. Life happens; however, my policy is that unless the cancellation is vital (illness, injury) the client must be on time for all meetings. It may not be possible to reschedule your appointment quickly and this may undo all the work you have put into your change. If clients miss or reschedule more than one meeting, the coaching contract may be voided. I reserve the right to dismiss clients if they cannot make meetings or be on time. There may not be a refund (outlined in the contract). It indicates they are not committed to their changes. 

 

Do you offer virtual or remote coaching?

 I offer Zoom meetings (if less than 1 hour) and conference calls. If the client is local and wishes to do so, we can meet at an arranged location. 

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What are your fees for coaching services?

Fees are discussed with the client before becoming a client. They are based on the number of visits. 

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Can I combine coaching with other therapies or treatments?

It depends on the issue the client is presenting with. If they are experiencing an acute medical or mental health episode then I require a referral from the attending/prescribing health practitioner. It is important for anyone working with the client to be aware of who is working with them at any time. This is for the safety of the client and protects both the health professional and the coach.  

 

How do I know if coaching is effective for me?

Coaching is right for you if you are committed to making lasting changes in your lifestyle or issue at hand and have tried without success, or do not wish to try solving the problem on your own.  Both you and the coach will assess this during the initial call. 

 

What happens if I don’t feel like we’re a good fit? 

If you are not a good fit, you simply do not enter into a coaching contract. I outline what clients can expect when they consult me and we decide (1) the issue under my scope of practice and (2) the exact process of my coaching format.  

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Do you work with clients in specific areas (e.g., health, relationships, career)?

Yes, these are my areas of specialization.

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Can coaching help with mental health issues?

This depends on the client and their issue. It also depends on whether the client is in an acute phase of their health issue. If this is so, a referral is needed. I have worked with clients simultaneously while the client has seen other professionals (e.g. marriage counsellor, sleep specialist, mental health counsellor). These therapies all look at an issue in a unique scope of practice and focus.

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What is the role of a coach in a team setting?

It depends on the team setting. I have a private coaching practice.  My work with a client is after any legal, medical or community requirements are fulfilled. I require referrals as described. I am available for consults and to sit on teams if indicated.  

 

How do I get started with coaching?

If you wish to know if coaching is right for you, contact me at  consult@DIYLifeCoachbyJudith.com and we schedule a 15-minute conference call to discuss your issue and what you are expecting. I will advise what I can offer under my scope of practice.  If you decide to go ahead, you will get a copy of my Coaching   Contract to sign. You will be asked to complete an Intake Form and decide on your booked session(s). The signed contract, completed intake form and payment must be made before your first visit. 

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Testimonials: Because of the nature of client information, I must adhere to confidentiality requirements. Many sites have fictitious or paid testimonials. I do not pay for nor actively seek testimonials. In some cases, there are risks involved for the client (e.g. abusive relationships, first offenders, performance contracting,) for the protection of the client I practice strict confidentiality. Referrals may be required client must give consent.   

 

*For those wishing to know what types of clients I may consider, these are a few of the types of clients I have had/been consulted on. Please note that only brief points are included here:

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• For newly opened nursing homes to look at the best placement for residents being admitted and to address issues like pain management, and levels of alertness in specific residents)

• Wellness Fair talks and education classes

• Physician Referrals (examples of typical types of referrals)

• Family (father and daughter) – specific parenting issue, I was asked to assess for meditation practice- I recommended father-daughter taught skills like delegation, how to negotiate etc. The issue was with another family member and not with the father/daughter- discussed with the physician and recommendations made. 

• Patient wanting to cure kidney disease- issues with memory, hernia, diet- client given an HT treatment to help with concentration – diet, history – relationship issues with family (environment of the client is assessed as part of my coaching)- energy and behaviors of husband, son and grandson reviewed with the client and specific relationship issues discussed and resolved. 

• A patient experiencing pain and sleep loss after being coded on an airplane- healing history reviewed, relaxation techniques taught and monitored, HT given at client request, reduction in use of medications and sleep hygiene reviewed and physician altered.

• Review and advise on patients experiencing sleep hygiene, smoking, issues

• Client with an addiction to shopping

• A client who had an issue with anger when someone touched his arm- no injury or apparent reason- related to a trauma in his past- resolved

• Patients with pain management issues review and assist the client in making lifestyle changes, physician reduction in prescriptions

• Asked to assess a child if doing drugs and issues, need for a psych consult- did not need medication going through puberty, family dynamics work with father.  In the rare event I do consult with a child client, referrals must be provided by all essential health professionals and a parent must be available at all times during coaching. 

• Clients who have been partners in abusive situations need coaching in safety and other personal health issue. 

• Education materials on Partner Abuse developed for a physician’s office 

• Clients requesting a coaching referral for varied particular reasons 

• Other (Not an extensive or complete list)

• Ask to represent a student at a university hearing- discussion on competence, cultural competence issues and student’s practices- excellent grades, issues with instructors/study habits- reviewed and the student went into a different field of study and excelled. 

• Incarcerated first-time, low-risk offenders get out and want to make changes in their lives so as not to reoffend. – Relationships, lifestyle, education, personal restitution and habits reviewed and changes made-

• Career planning and lifestyle changes for specific family issues- not to change family but how to deal with dynamics 

• Orthopedic patients with pain management issues

• Clients who have the same type of issues and injuries in a specific span of time, are assessed, options reviewed, plan of action in place 

• Use of aromatherapy, coaching in NH to deal with sleep, stress management 

• Performance contracting for employees in several settings 

• Preparing organizations for Accreditation (my experience in IPC - recommendations) 

• Developing material for Plastic Surgeons, General Practitioner, Internal Medicine 

• Small group presentations on topics of interest for seniors 

• Presentations on my coaching service to community agencies 

• Clients with a fear of flying 

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Other:

 

Any other questions may be directed to me at the above email address. If emailing me, please be specific as to the details of what you are consulting me about.