What is Relationship Coaching

Click here for a recent blog post I wrote on this topic

What is Coaching?

According to the International Coaching Federation,

"Coaching is collaborating with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Professional coaches provide an ongoing partnership designed to help clients produce fulfilling results in their personal and professional lives. Coaches help people improve their performance and enhance the quality of their lives."

Okay, I know the above definition is kind of dry. Perhaps you'll like the following, more heart-felt definitions, which I think capture the essence of the way I aspire to coach:

"Great coaches help clients create grand visions, achieve satisfaction and savor the journey, from conception to fruition to harvesting! Great coaching inspires clients to both feed their souls and their real world needs and desires, by aligning purpose with action, and challenging clients to make real decisions and commitments to who they will be and what they will achieve in this lifetime." - Barb Elgin

Coaching may include mentoring, guarding, guiding, teaching, counseling and protecting, all of which flows out of a coaching relationship based on affection and trust.

Other ways to describe what clients can expect as a result of forming a positive 'coaching' relationship with me...

You'll 'squeeze more juice' out of life!
You will take better care of yourself.
Your decisions will be 'smarter' as you learn how to balance your head and heart.
You'll feel more satisfied with your life as a result of living it more authentically.
Your personal and professional relationships will be more satisfying.
Yes, you will take charge (rather than your emotions, or, others, leading you).

Here's how current and former clients describe the coaching experience:

"People are always willing to buy themselves a vacation, but the benefits of one fade quickly. On the other hand, the learning and new perspective you gain from Barb can last a lifetime!"

"I am a lesbian in the closet who found Coach Sappho while surfing the net. Since working with Barb I have made some major necessary changes in my life with the support and help of Barb and the other members in my telephone group...Coach Sappho is not biased or judgemental. All of the group members have been wonderful, kind and very supportive. If you are looking for a place to rest your tired emotions or life issues you have reached it at Coach Sappho. You won't be disappointed."

"I'm new to coaching - my partner and I are enrolled in Coach Sappho's Couples Circle. The circle is really helping me focus and gain clarity, especially when things are emotional. The coaching is helping me stay grounded with my feelings and helping me express them in a way that helps my relationship. Very powerful!"

These quotes remind me of what I consider to be coaching's biggest similarity to psychotherapy:

Like studies into the effectiveness of psychotherapy, I believe research into coaching's effectiveness will find that coaching is most effective when it focuses on three important aspects:

helping you become more resourceful (make the most of the resources you already have as well as find and make use of newly-discovered resources)
helping you believe you can succeed
creating a relationship alliance that maximizes the above two elements

Why do I believe these three aspects of the coaching relationship are the keys to success?

Not all coaches utilize a 'strengths-based' coaching style, but I do. When I practice these aspects in my relationship with my clients, I am showing the deepest respect for my clients, such that they are empowered and make progress faster and easier. There is nothing for the client to resist against. I believe every client has all the answers they need inside of them, and my role is helping them discover and express those answers. I don't try to fix a client because nothing in them is broken. My role is not to create resistance in a client. If my client is resisting it is MY issue to fix not theirs...The result is that my clients can't wait to come to our sessions and they improve!

HERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO KEEP IN MIND...The American Society of Training and Development has researched the issue of accountability and has put some percentages on the likelihood you will reach a goal, based upon how you approach reaching it. Here's how their percentages shake out:

LIKELIHOOD YOU'LL REALIZE YOUR GOAL...

10% if you hear an idea.
25% if you consciously decide to adopt it.
40% if you decide when you will do it.
50% if you plan how you will do it.
65% if you commit to somone else you will do it.
95% if you have a specific accountability appointment with the person to whom you are committed (like your Coach).

Click here to read what some of my current and former clients have to say about working with Coach Sappho.

What is Relationship Coaching?

Relationship Coaching is a subspecialty within the Coaching Profession. According to the Relationship Coaching Institute, the number one relationship coaching school in the world (where I attend for ongoing training and certification )...

"Relationship coaching is a professional client-focused service where an individual or couple is assumed to be healthy, powerful, and able to achieve relationship goals with effective support, information, and guidance."

Click here to learn more about the differences between coaching and therapy, why hiring a relationship coach with education and experience in the behavioral healthcare field is a plus, as well as more information on relationship and dating coaching and how Coach Sappho can help you enjoy greater satisfaction and success in the romantic marketplace!

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Ready to get started?

I know you're ready to experience coaching. If so, I would like to offer you a five minute, complimentary telephone discussion to explore how we could 'work and play' together to help you find, create and/or grow the life and relationship you desire. Click here now to email Barb Elgin to arrange your complimentary discussion NOW. This is a 'time limited' offer, so, be sure you take advantage today.