Frequently Asked Questions

People hire coaches because they want to change something, get unstuck, gain more confidence.
Coaching helps you to have the confidence to create a better future and to reduce your overwhelm.

Here are some of the common questions I get asked at Cathy Smith Coaching.

The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as:

“Partnering with clients in a thought provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” Coaching honours the client as the expert in their life and work and believes that every client is creative, resourceful, and whole.

Yes but also no.

It depends on what you mean by a business coach.

If you are looking for someone to dive deep into your business, go through your financial, set you up a sales system and create a killer marketing plan then no. That person is not actually a business coach either they are a business consultant.

A business coach is someone who will assist in your thinking to help guide you on your business journey to take you business from where it is now to where you want it to be in the future.

Coaching, Consulting and Mentoring can often be confused by both the client and unfortunately many practitioners as well.

Mentoring is focused on advising you in an area that the mentor has expertise.

Consulting either do the tasks for you or give you a step by step process so that you can complete the tasks yourself.

Coaching will assist you in the thinking process to empower you to be able to maximise your potential to create personal and professional success.

I am a business coach, yes and with over 20 years’ experience running my own consulting business in the marketing industry I sure know a thing or 2 about business. However, I am offering you coaching.

If you are looking for business mentoring or consulting, go to CATCO Enterprises

Yes.

Life coaching, personal coaching, business coaching, mindset coaching all works on changing and creating new thought patterns that serve you and your future in a more positive way.

Generally, it is said that a Mindset coach rewires the individual mindset ie thought work. Life coaching and mindset coaching are interchangeable terms.

Women in transition, empty nesters and other ladies looking to make a change. 

Most of my clients are women however if my message resonates with you and you would like to have a Free 60 minutes Discovery Session then please book yours today.

Having worked in predominately male dominated industries for all my consulting career I am no stranger to the challenges that men face in today’s modern world.

That is up to you. Coaching is not a one size fits all and have no illusions coaching can be hard and sometimes difficult because you, yes you, must do the work.

Effective coaching is anchored by SMART goals (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time bound). These goals must be anchored by the coaching outcomes you want to achieve and reflect the highest level strategy to move you from your current situation to your new place of growth.

We work together to achieve the outcome you are looking for.

If you are looking for me to do the work for you – STOP right here, coaching is not for you.

I can help you, guide you, challenge you and give you tools to move your thinking but I will not be doing the work for you.

That is up to you.

That depends on what you are trying to achieve, generally the bigger the shift required the longer the process will take. Having said that some clients achieve “an aha moment very quickly”.

My minimum program is 6 sessions.

Coachability is depends on your willingness to be coached, to follow through on agreement, do the actions that have been set in the session and reflect on your growth.

Coaching is for anyone for anyone who is ready to create change and transform in their life.

No, I give you the tools to find your own answers and fully support you along the way.

This is coaching not consulting.

No. We will partner together in a safe and empowering space to enable you to find your own answers that you already have. Yes you do already have these answers you just need help to access them.

Absolutely. In our sessions you will do most of the talking. I will fully support you along your journey for change and growth.

Often you can’t see the forest for the trees. You are too close to the problem, issue, challenge to be objective and you need a new thinking approach.

Professionally trained life coaching has a range of tools that they can use to give you a different perspective. Sometimes a simple tweak in your thinking can make a massive difference.

“I would never have thought of that on my own”.

“So simple but so effective”.

Is often what my clients say.

Not all problems can be solved easily and “The thing is not the thing”.

Coaching is a partnership between the client and the coach, where we work collaboratively together to create an actionable plan that can make a world of difference to your current situation.

Often you can’t see the forest for the trees. You are too close to the problem, issue, challenge to be objective and you need a new thinking approach.

Professionally trained life coaching has a range of tools that they can use to give you a different perspective. Sometimes a simple tweak in your thinking can make a massive difference.

“I would never have thought of that on my own”.

“So simple but so effective”.

Is often what my clients say.

Not all problems can be solved easily and “The thing is not the thing”.

Coaching is a partnership between the client and the coach, where we work collaboratively together to create an actionable plan that can make a world of difference to your current situation.

Empty nesters who to want to:

  • make a major transition in your life
  • wants to make a change
  • want to grow your business
  • get unstuck and reduce overwhelm
  • need a trained professional to help you with your thinking

Everyone who is not willing to work in a partnership to make change or wants a step by step plan.

You are not broken and don’t need to be fixed.

You are just stuck and if we are a good fit, I will absolutely help you move forward.

No

Life coaching is future focused, and therapy helps you deal with the past. If you have past traumas, mental illness, self destructive behaviours then you must see a healthcare professional.

Life coaching is not a substitute for therapy.

Can coaching still help you, yes but only in consultation with your therapists or counsellor.

Life coaching is a unique service that is designed to help you meet the outcomes you require to success in the areas of life that you have chosen to work on.

No

When you are looking for help on your emotional wellbeing and personal growth, or to make a change then life coaching maybe your answer. Life coaching is future focused helping you with your personal empowerment, motivation, create change, define and reach your life or business goals.

Life coaching is not a replacement for therapy or able to help you with past trauma, mental illness or self destructive habits.

All our coaching sessions are done online via zoom.

Yes. Certificate IV in Business and Personal Coaching 10857NAT.
21+ years expereince in Business Consulting.

Also see Are you ICF Member and What coaching study have you done.

International Coaching Federation (ICF). Members are recognised all over the world as the Gold Standard in Coaching, the highest quality of professional coaching qualification available. 

A Certificate IV in Business and Personal Coaching 10857NAT which is an Australian Nationally Recognised Training Program and a pathway to ACTP. 

Accredited Coach Training Program (ACTP) is a training program that is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The ACTP accredited program is an “all inclusive” coaching training program that requires a minimum of 125 student contact hours, mentor coaching and a performance evaluation process. Graduates of an ACTP program may apply for an individual ICF credential which I will do in 2022.

Cathy Smith Coaching is a single coach services and I will always be your coach.

Your first 60 minutes is free. Book a Free 60 minutes Discovery Session.

Programs start with 6 sessions. See available programs.

Coaching is a very personal thing based on trust and respect.

Read the other questions on this FAQ’s page.

Book a Free 60 minutes Discovery Session to see if we are a match.

Yes. Investing in my own personal growth and making sure I don’t get stuck in a repeating pattern is extremely important to me so that I can be the best coach for my clients.