Question 1

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Accepted Answer

Coaching is a collaborative, results-orientated, relational process that helps people to gain insight, motivation and the confidence to make positive changes in their life or work and achieve their goals. Therapy is a compassionate, empathetic process that supports people to explore their trauma, problems or difficulties, gain self-awareness, understand their needs, create boundaries, make decisions and work towards healing their emotional or psychological pain. Broadly speaking, the focus in therapy may be more on feelings than actions, while coaching may be more focused on actions than feelings. I bring a therapy-informed approach to my coaching, which means I work with the emotional landscape of change, not just the practical side. If you are unsure whether coaching or therapy is right for you, the discovery call is a good place to explore that together.

Question 2

How many sessions will I need?

Accepted Answer

This varies depending on what you want to work on. Most clients come for a focused set of 6 sessions to work through a specific transition. Others choose an ongoing coaching relationship. I offer individual sessions and packages, and we can review what feels right as we go. There is no pressure to commit to a long programme - clients can find just a session or two is enough for what they need.

Question 3

What happens in a discovery call?

Accepted Answer

The discovery call is a free, informal 30-minute conversation (phone or video) where we get a sense of each other and explore what you are looking for. You can ask me anything about how I work, and I will ask a little about your situation and what you are hoping coaching might help with. There is no pressure or obligation to book sessions as a result of the call.

Question 4

What does a coaching session feel like?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are warm but purposeful. I will listen carefully, ask questions that help you think differently, and offer a perspective or gently challenge you if we have agreed that would be helpful. I bring my whole self to sessions - I won’t judge you or your choices, but I am not a "blank-slate" coach. You can expect to feel heard, and I aim for you to leave with more clarity than you arrived with. We may use coaching tools, so have a pen or pencil and something to write on close by. Sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes.

Question 5

Is coaching confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Everything discussed in our sessions is confidential. The only exceptions are the standard professional duty of care, for example if there were a serious risk of harm to you or someone else. I adhere to the EMCC Global Code of Ethics and the BACP Ethical Framework. If your coaching is arranged via your organisation or employer, we will agree the boundaries of any progress updates before coaching begins. Please see my coaching terms for more details.

Question 6

Are you a qualified and accredited coach?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I am a dual-qualified coach and counsellor: an EMCC Global Accredited Coach at Senior Practitioner Level, a BACP Accredited Therapist and a qualified Clinical Supervisor. I also have specialist training in menopause, fertility, ADHD, autism and neuro-affirming practice. My About page lists my full qualifications and training.

Question 7

Can I use my employer's coaching budget?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many clients use workplace learning and development budgets to fund their coaching. If you are using employer funding, the organisational rate applies. I can provide an invoice for your employer. Please contact me to discuss the practicalities.

Question 8

Do you use AI in your coaching practice?

Accepted Answer

Coaching with me is, and stays, a human relationship — that's the heart of how I work. I do use AI in the background to support my own work, such as drafting my own writing, organising admin, and keeping up with reading and research. None of that involves your personal information. Where AI helps me run things more smoothly, the thinking, the judgement, and the words you hear from me remain entirely my own.

Question 9

Do you use AI during our sessions?

Accepted Answer

No. I don't use AI to listen to, record, transcribe, summarise, or analyse our sessions. Like most coaches I work with mainstream tools for video calls and scheduling, and these increasingly come with AI features built in. I take active steps to keep those switched off, and I review my settings as the tools change, so that our session stays between us.

Question 10

Does my information go into AI tools?

Accepted Answer

I don't put your name, your notes, or anything you share with me into AI tools such as chatbots. I keep the information you trust me with separate from the AI tools I use to support my own work, and the systems I use to help run my practice are designed to have no access to client details.

Question 11

What if I'd like to use a tool myself — for example to capture notes?

Accepted Answer

Just ask. For some people, including neurodivergent clients, a transcription or note-taking tool is a genuine help rather than a convenience, and I'd never want to shut that down. If you'd like to use one to keep your own notes, we'll simply talk it through and agree an approach together first, so we're both comfortable with how it's used.

Question 12

How do you keep your approach to AI up to date?

Accepted Answer

I stay engaged with how AI is developing in coaching, and I keep a written policy of my own that I review regularly to hold myself accountable. I'm cautious about anything that could risk your confidentiality or the human core of this work, and open to tools that genuinely support it without that cost. You're very welcome to ask me about my approach at any time.

Frequently asked questions