What Is a Professional Life Coach?

Coaching is a movement whose time has come. If you haven't heard much about professional coaching in the past, you definitely will be hearing about it in the future. The Coaching profession is responding to significant unmet needs in an underserved population - specifically, to those individuals who are ambitious and forward looking and who want to take their lives, dreams and relationships to a higher level.

Coaching has a different emphasis than counseling or consulting. Traditional counseling (otherwise known as "therapy") tends to put the emphasis on discovering what is wrong and pursuing healing or recovery. Consulting tends to put the emphasis on the knowledge and expertise that the consultant brings to a particular field, and on his or her recommendations to the client. Both of these are very valuable services. StreamTree Associates offers both licensed counseling and consulting.

The Professional Life Coach, on the other hand, puts the emphasis on his or her clients' agenda for the future - their goals, ambitions, hopes and dreams. A skillful coach can partner with a client in ways that enhance creativity, uncover new possibilities, define values and bring clarity to that individual's vision and mission. Coaches do not focus on the past. They do not primarily give advice. Yet by skillful questioning, thoughtful observations, creative exercises and targeted assignments, coaches act as catalysts to facilitate new insights and enhance forward movement for motivated clients. Even when their clients feel "unmotivated" or stuck, coaches can help them redefine their vision and reconnect with their values in ways that bring back their passion and reestablish forward momentum. The client, not the coach, always has the final say and makes the ultimate decisions.

Call (425-821-3944) or email us for further information.

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