Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching sessions can be seen as a series of thought-provoking powerful conversations. where we explore the topic which brought you to coaching.

I will provide a warm, friendly, enjoyable, non-judgemental, and safe environment. We will properly unpack your situation to really understand and clarify what it is you want to achieve and why.

I'll use a series of coaching techniques to help you challenge your thinking and gain awareness of where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there.

Depending on your situation, we will use different exercises to provide awareness and clarity, for example: understanding your values, life balance, goal setting, confidence, creative thinking, and limiting beliefs holding you back to name but a few.

People have commented that it's a very cathartic and powerful experience to have a dedicated, uninterrupted space to talk at your own pace with yourself as the topic.

There is no need to know the coaching process, I will help navigate this. All you need to do is come prepared to talk about the topic of what led you to this stage and the rest will follow, we take it at your pace.​

Don't worry, that's a perfectly reasonable feeling to hold and it could be for different reasons. No need to worry, I am here to help you. I provide a very relaxed, warm, and friendly space where we can talk in confidence and at your pace.

It can sometimes be a brave and confident step to even get to the stage of reaching out, so well done for getting to this first stage!

Coaching can be seen as a series of thought-provoking conversations, so all you need to do is come ready to start talking about the topic that led you to seek out coaching and the rest will follow.

Our discovery call is just that. A free 45-minute friendly conversation (give or take, I won't clock watch). A chance to meet each other and have a conversation and discover a little bit about each other. In our call (either via phone or Zoom) we can:

• Talk about your situation and what you would like to be different.

• If I feel that coaching may be right for you, I'll explain more about coaching and how may help your situation. I’ll provide you with details on my coaching programs.

• You will be able to ask any questions you may have.

• I'll offer you the chance to sign up for a package that's a good fit for your situation.

• If you feel that coaching is not right for you at this time, that's fine. There will be no pushy sales conversations from me. At the very least I hope you will have more knowledge to use for your situation than before our conversation.

Both frequency and scheduling can be very flexible and can be made to work based on your availability and your specific journey.

Generally, frequency starts weekly to gain traction, fortnightly to keep momentum and later sessions can be spaced if needed.

Ultimately we will land on a frequency that provides a balance of momentum, reflection, and sufficient time to reflect and implement learnings.

Flexibility is the key take-away word.

- 'Transformative Twelve' and 'Structured Six' Packages: The first session is 90 minutes to establish a strong foundation. Subsequent sessions are 60 minutes each. - 'Focus Month' Session: Two 90-minute sessions designed to maximize our month together. - 'Power Session': A single 90-minute session to explore a specific topic in depth. I'm flexible with timing to ensure conversations reach a natural conclusion while respecting your time limits.

This differs depending upon each individual's unique situation. Clients typically though find that learnings and take-aways come from each session, sometimes subtlety with reflection and sometimes arriving within big WOW moments which is great for both the client and coach to experience.

Coaching is also a journey of building awareness with results usually building up over a grouping of sessions. You are in the driving seat as to when you feel you have reached the outcome you desire.

Some clients work through a package of sessions and then request further sessions spaced out over time to check in and help keep momentum and direction on their life's goals.

The 'Transformative Twelve' Package £1644 (payment plan available) - This package provides tailored coaching to work on multi-faceted situations, situations that may contain more change, and a longer journey, where a continuation of a coaching partnership helps keep momentum, accountability, and a provision of a coaching relationship that supports you through those unknown challenges that surface when working towards your change. Usually scheduled over six months.

The 'Structured Six' Package £990 (payment plan available) - Allowing deep exploration and opportunity for building a valuable partnership and change journey. Usually scheduled across three months.

The 'Focus' Package £455 - A packaged rate for two ninety-minute sessions held across four weeks that can be used to explore and deep dive into a more defined goal or topic.

* Discounted pricing for subsequent package bookings for existing clients.

* Package carryovers - If you feel you have reached a point in the coaching where you have reached a good place, you can place the remaining paid sessions in the bank, which you can then use as you need within the forthcoming 12-month period.

Not sure what option to choose? Not to worry, please feel free to contact me so we can discuss your situation in more detail at nick@nickhowellcoaching.com, +44 7776 160 260

Coaching is unique to each individual, so promising specific outcomes would be misleading. However, I can commit to the following: - Coaching you to the best of my ability with full energy and commitment. - Providing a positive and safe space for you to navigate desired changes. - Ensuring each session is enjoyable and productive. - Being punctual, prepared, and fully present for each session. - Focusing entirely on your needs and empowering you to achieve your goals. - Offering support, encouragement, and constructive challenges. - Maintaining 100% confidentiality unless legally required to disclose information. - Suggesting alternative support if coaching is not the best path for you. - Giving ample notice if a session needs to be rescheduled.

It's important to ensure we keep a regular frequency of coaching sessions to ensure we maintain progress and momentum. If however, you need to fit in those planned and unplanned life priorities, I remain fully flexible to reschedule sessions where needed.

Coaches can't provide clinical treatment for conditions such as depression and anxiety or other mental health issues.

However, the nature of a coach's techniques and methodologies often result in lowering stress, managing emotions, reducing anxiety, improving relationships (personal and professional), and improving overall wellbeing.

Within our coaching relationship, I will raise with you my thoughts on possible needs for another source of support such as a GP or counsellor if I ever feel there may be a need.

Currently I'm offering coaching sessions within evening and weekend timeframes.

Payment can either be in the form of a bank transfer or via PayPal (inc a small additional fee).

Payments for the 'Transformative Twelve' and 'Structured Six' packages come with an available payment plan to help spread the payments if required.

Absolutely. I adhere to the Association for Coaching's Ethical Standards. You can review these standards [here](https://www.associationforcoaching.com/page/AboutCodeEthics).

Transformative Coaching -

• Psychological – It explores the client both inside and out, their beliefs, values, expectations, assumptions, and psychological patterns that guide how they show up in life or the workplace.

• Humanistic – It builds on the assumption that clients are whole, unbroken and they have the resources they need to make changes.

• Integrative – Drawn from a wide range of schools of thought, it enables coaches to find their own unique, psychologically grounded way of working with clients.

• Holistic – Coaches learn to pay attention to all aspects of a client’s experience – the cognitive, affective, somatic, relational, and behavioural dimensions.

“Transformative coaching creates the space for the client to see themselves afresh.”

Nick Bolton, Founder, Animas

https://www.animascoaching.com/our-knowledge/faqs/what-is-transformational-coaching/

I'm very environmentally aware and believe we need to prioritise the discussion on this topic and take action where possible.

Coaching by its nature is rather low impact and attracts little overheads. However, I do use a renewable energy supplier, recycle print cartridges, and use recycled paper.

I offer virtual coaching which can help with reducing the impact of travel on the environment.

I have also partnered up with ecologi.com, for each coaching package purchased, we will commit to planting twenty trees. This in turn helps in a small way with carbon offsetting and biodiversity.

Pricing will differ depending upon several different factors such as - location, content, virtual or in-person delivery, and specific requirements and outcomes.

Please contact me and I would be happy to discuss your requirements in more detail and provide a quote. Rest assured my rates are competitive.

This can be performed in person if required or more commonly in these times virtually via Zoom or MS Teams.

If there is a requirement for a longer-term workplace coaching relationship, I can also offer a mixture of in-person sessions and virtual, which offer the best of both worlds.

As part of my service, I conduct a thorough fact-finding process. My goal is to understand the context and what the desired outcomes are.

Within sessions, there is a mixture of big lightbulb moments together with more gradual change over time. Learnings and awareness also coming between sessions resulting from what we have covered. This is why a package of coaching sessions is usually the most beneficial.

I will use questionnaires and direct feedback opportunities to compare situations during and after coaching. This serves two purposes: keeping the coaching relevant and measuring its effectiveness.

There have been numerous studies conducted on the topic of coaching in the workplace. Here is a useful article published in Forbes that summarises this.

While our sessions are crucial, much of the transformative work occurs between meetings. Occasionally, I may suggest activities or reflections to deepen your understanding and integrate new insights. These tasks are not required after every session but are designed to support your growth process and solidify the changes you're making.