What is coaching/mentoring
What is coaching/mentoring
What is a coach
Coaching is a form of helping profession, where the coach can support and facilitate your processing, framing and thinking about life issues. This happens in a confidential, psychologically and spiritually safe setting. The coach may use techniques and models to support you to think about things differently, make goals and work through plans for your future. Coaches normally work with regular reviews of the work you undertake together, so you can decide to continue to work or to stop your agreement.
Coaches are trained in different competencies, including in how to carefully listen to you, not just the words you say but also the deeper meaning of what you might be saying. Coaches tend to be emotionally mature people who are confident in their skills. You will experience empowerment in the coaching process to make your decisions, and plenty of time to explore what is happening for you.
There is both respect and a non-judgemental approach taken by the coach. The coach may use different approaches and models, depending on your needs and your preferred way of working.
Some coaches specialise in different areas, such as careers, work-based, life coaching, business, wellbeing, missional, or senior leadership.
If you are a Christian seeking a Christian coach or mentor, your coach/mentor may also use faith-based approaches. ACC coaching and mentoring members have a personal Christian faith worldview. However, they would not impose their faith upon you, or have any expectations or judgements about you and your values.
What is a mentor
Mentors are also trained to listen and may use models and techniques to assist you. A mentor may also use their own experience as advice or help with certain aspects of what you bring.
Many coaches are trained both in coaching and mentoring. You can negotiate this in the initial contracting phase, as to how you might best work together, and find out what will work for you in your situation.
How is coaching/mentoring different to counselling
Coaching/mentoring is exploring your preferred future and working towards it, with awareness of your feelings, but not working directly on them. Your coach/mentor will support you to work towards realistic goals that you set for yourself. Counselling and psychotherapy focus on how you are feeling, why you are feeling that way, and working through issues to emotional resolution, which leads to new understanding and perspective.