Finding and Choosing a Coach

Posted on October 03, 2012 by Elizabeth Ahmann, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

Thinking of working with a coach? Considering finding a coach for your son or daughter? Want to move forward, but not sure how to select a coach?

Here are some useful tips:

1. REFLECT: Before you call a coach, spend a little time considering your needs.

Clarify what you want coaching for. Are you looking for yourself or your child? Do you need short term help getting through a big project? Do you want to address some chronic issues, like procrastination? Do you need support through a transition?

Consider what you want in a coach. Many coaches work by phone or Skype. Does this fit your needs, or do you want someone local? Do you want a coach with specific expertise or experience, such as in business issues, college students, parenting, or … ? What types of personality do you bristle against? What types are you comfortable with?

How much are you willing to pay? Coaching is not covered by insurance. Fees vary based on a number of factors, including geography, area of specialty, and experience. Some coaches may have a sliding fee scale.

II. RESEARCH: Explore several sources of coaching referrals and make a list of possibilities.

Ask people you know – including doctors, therapists, and educators – for referrals to find a coach.

Use on-line coach referral sites such as Noomi, Thumbtack…

Check the International Coach Federation referral service:
http://www.coachfederation.org/find-a-coach/find-a-coach-now/coach-referral-service-agreement/

AD/HD Coaches Organization has an online “Find a Coach” service:
http://www.adhdcoaches.org/find-a-coach/

Many coaches have web pages and can be located by an internet search on names you have been given or simply by searching “coach” and the other terms you are interested in.

III. QUERY: Contact the coaches on your list and ask for a time to talk by phone. Most coaches will offer a free 20-30 minute initial call to answer your questions and see if the two of you might be a good match for coaching. Here are some things to pay attention to and to ask during the call:

When talking with the coach, make note of your comfort level – is this a person you think you could work with?

Note down answers to the following questions so you can compare coaches:

Background:
1. How long have you been a coach?
2. How many clients have you worked with?
3. What kind of training do you have in coaching?
4. If pertinent: How many of your clients have AD/HD? How much of your training has been specific to AD/HD coaching? What personal experience do you have with AD/HD?
5. What professional organizations do you belong to?
6. Do you have certification or credentialing as a coach?

Coaching interests:
1. What types of clients do you typically work with?
2. What do you consider your expertise or specialty as a coach?
3. I am interested in working on …… What experience do you have with that?

Practical considerations:
1. How would you describe the coaching process?
2. How often would we meet? And where?
3. What if I need to get in touch with you between sessions?
4. What are your fees?

Follow-up:
1. If this coach interests you, ask how to follow-up.
2. If this coach does not interest you, ask for suggestions of other coaches you could talk to.

IV. Go! Consider your options, choose a coach, and… go for it!

Ask yourself: “Which coach did I feel most comfortable with? Which seemed most familiar with the areas of concern to me? Who can I afford working with?”

Then, call and make that first appointment now while you are motivated!

Happy coaching!

NOTE: An additional resource on finding and choosing a coach:

The International Coach Federation (ICF) recommends questions to ask prospective coaches: http://www.coachfederation.org/find-a-coach/selecting-a-coach/

Any questions? Contact me through: www.lizahmann.com
Liz Ahmann, ScD, RN, ACC – Life, ADHD & Health/Wellness Coach