COaching Curious?
What is coaching anyway, you might wonder. I have heard many perplexed people ask this question with a look of skepticism or bewilderment on their faces, or perhaps just a look of curiosity in disguise! It is a legitimate question since it is a fairly new modality in the world of self discovery and self help. It is also, literally, in and of the world! Meaning, it is an international, global method of inspiring change making in individual lives, as well as in the lives of families, organizations, and communities. The potential is limitless and I’ll tell you why.
The ICF (International Coaching Federation), which is the strongest governing organization of standards for coaches, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.” Further, the ICF recognizes, “We all have goals we want to reach, challenges we’re striving to overcome and times when we feel stuck. Partnering with a coach can change your life, setting you on a path to greater personal and professional fulfillment.”
As a trained and credentialed ICF Coach, I embody a coaching mindset that is based on the belief that my clients already have an ability to know and feel best what they want and need. I believe it is my job, as their coach, to create space for them to safely explore their desires, dreams, goals, wants and needs by asking powerful questions that engage their intelligences, both rational and emotional, as well as inspire them to experiment with their behaviors. It is a collaborative and dynamic approach. I am here to honor, nurture and empower my clients rather than advise them, to heal what needs healing and to make choices that are in alignment with what is most important to them.
As an Emotional Wellness and Alignment Coach, many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, mistrustful, scared, alone or a combination of these. As they experience coaching with me, even after just one session, they feel more seen, heard, grounded, focused, present, inspired, in community and trusting of and kinder toward themselves. With willingness to keep going, clients begin to open more, to shift perspectives, to grow and to feel better in their skin, in this world. Even though the world can be a really hard place these days…
How is coaching different than therapy, you might ask, too. Well, it is different in that it will ask for you to participate in your own healing and growth journey by setting agreements with me, your coach, and goals for yourself. That means, you will learn to set yourself up for success in your emotional wellness and alignment goals. You will learn to identify what you want and I will support you in how you will get there, with you in the lead, most of the time, if not all the time. You are the driver, I am the passenger and we are partners. Perhaps some therapists are great coaches too, and I think many are combining approaches in their work. I am not a Therapist so I do not diagnose you or advise you. I am not a clinician, although I have an extensive background in social work services and understand clinical work. I don’t treat your illness, I co-create your growth journey with you.
Does this answer your questions about what coaching is and is not? If you have any other questions, please reach out to me and ask. I am here for you. I want to help. I know we are all in this together and although we each have our own calibration amount for alone time and time together, we are interconnected. I offer in person session at The Flourish Center in Multnomah Village on Wednesdays. I offer phone and video sessions Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursday from 11-5. To learn more, please explore my website at erinchourey.com and sign up for a Free 30 Minute Discovery Call. I can’t wait to meet you!
Warning: Side effects of coaching may include a bit a discomfort while we peel back payers of protection to get to the heart of who you truly are. I will stay with you in this process and share the burden of motivation for courage!
