Attending your very first coaching or counseling session can be a lot like learning to ride a bike: full of nervous excitement, plus a little fear. If you’ve just booked your first session, great job on taking that first step towards your best self! If you’re still at the consideration stage, fret not — many people feel similarly apprehensive about trying something new.
No matter what stage of the journey you’re at, we’ve covered five of the most frequently asked questions on coaching and counseling. Sit back, relax and get a headstart before you meet your coach or counselor for the very first time!
Firstly, how do I know when to see a coach/counselor?
Contrary to popular belief, coaches or counselors aren’t just for when things go wrong. You don’t need to be dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, or burnout to see a coach or counselor.
Perhaps you want to be prepared for future transitions at work. Or maybe you want to improve your relationship with food. A counselor would be able to provide professional guidance and assistance.
Maybe you want to lead a healthier lifestyle or achieve greater work-life balance. A professional coach can help you make plans and support you with their certified knowledge, network, and lived experience.
So TL;DR: Counseling and coaching are often just a way to receive unbiased perspectives from a third-party. If you want to sound out your problem to another person or work towards specific goals, coaches and counselors are an ideal solution.
Hold up! Before I decide, what exactly can I expect to get out of coaching or counseling?
You wouldn’t be alone if you felt that your ideas and opinions were under-appreciated by those around you. Many people who first try counseling find it relieving because they can finally talk about anything they want, and someone will listen attentively. During a coaching or counseling session the time is 100% yours!
Counselors tend to act like mirrors. They can provide you with an entirely new perspective on yourself and your life, courtesy of their psychology and counseling expertise. What causes your pain? What causes your struggle? They can lead you towards greater awareness and guide you towards a possible direction for the future.
Coaches, on the other hand, tend to focus more on personal and professional growth. They may do this by nurturing a new mindset. They will help you set goals, identify your unique strengths, talents and resources, and serve as your accountability partner.
Both a coach and a counselor can present you with guiding questions and help you to make connections between your experiences and thoughts. Their purpose isn’t to tell you what to do with your life — instead, they’ll guide you so that you can feel empowered to make your own decisions! At the end of the day, although your coach/counselor may help you find clarity, you are the one who knows yourself best!
PS: It takes some time and effort to see results. Commit to at least 4 sessions of coaching/counseling to see more meaningful change.
I have decided to see a coach/counselor, but how do I choose the best one for myself?
There are two important factors when it comes to choosing the best coach or counselor for yourself: 1) their qualifications and 2) how well you resonate with them.
Let’s talk about qualifications first. In private practices, counselors usually have a Master’s degree. At public institutions, it is common for counselors to have a Bachelor’s degree or a counseling certification. Most counselors have experience dealing with common concerns like depression, anxiety, and stress — but some go a step further by specializing in certain fields, such as relationships, eating disorders or LGBTQ+ issues.
At MindFi, all of our counselors have a minimum of a Masters level degree in either Psychology or Counseling. They also have a nuanced understanding of the unique cultural contexts of Asian employees and professionals. If you’re having trouble finding a counselor with the right specialization, reach out anytime and we’ll find someone qualified to support you!
When it comes to coaching, all coaches should have a valid coaching credential from a reputable coaching body. At MindFi, we only work with certified coaches who have extensive and proven experience.
The second factor: How well you resonate with your coach or counselor? Do you feel safe? When you are looking through potential profiles, whose energy do you resonate most with? Who do you see yourself opening up to?
It can take a few tries to find the counselor or coach that really “clicks” with you, so don’t worry if your first choice doesn’t fit as well as you hoped. You can always join one of our Discovery Days or use your first session to see if there is chemistry between you and your coach/counselor.
What can I expect in my first session?
Usually, during your first session, your coach/counselor will begin by gaining some context. They may ask you why you decided to book a session with them, and what you hope to gain from the engagement. You may also be asked questions about personal details, like your family relationships, your fears and concerns, and your professional background. This is so that they can offer the most relevant information.
Feel free to deviate and direct the conversation to anything that you think is important or wish to talk about. You can share information that your counselor or coach doesn’t ask about, for example. Remember that the time you spend with your coach/counselor is your time — don’t be afraid to lead the conversation.
Now that I’ve started, how long should I stay in coaching/counseling?
Should you do one-off sessions or schedule regular meetings? That’s a great question.
If you have a specific goal to focus on, it takes time to see meaningful change. Like we mentioned earlier: we recommend committing to at least 4 sessions to see real and lasting impact.
If you simply wish to air some concerns and seek some advice or clarity, one-off sessions may be the better option.
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We hope this article answered any questions you might have had regarding your first coaching or counseling session. Remember: your coach/counselor is a partner on your journey. They are not there to judge, but to listen and learn to help you achieve your goals.
If you haven’t yet, go ahead and find the right coach/counselor on the MindFi platform by clicking on the button below.
