Frequently Asked Questions

  • ICF defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership. We all have goals we want to reach, challenges we’re striving to overcome and times when we feel stuck. Partnering with a coach can change your life, setting you on a path to greater personal and professional fulfilment.”

    As much as those working in transformational coaching don’t need to have a particular specialisation, I have developed a keen interest in supporting clients in the following areas:

    • Major life transitions (e.g. job changes, redundancy, relationship/family breakdown, illness)

    • Balancing life roles (e.g. parenting, home duties, volunteering, paid work) as well as work-related stress and burnout

    • Ecological awareness and climate change responses

    • Community engagement and civic leadership (including political engagement, not-for-profit sector work and volunteering, good governance)

    • Decision-making around education/training, work experience and career enhancement

    • Nurturing value-alignment and purposefulness in the next generation (parents, carers and educators)

    • Future-fit leadership, with a focus on regenerative approaches to work and life

    • Faith journeys, spirituality and meaning-making

  • Through coaching, our goal is to empower clients to grow in awareness, responsibility and agency. While I am trained and experienced in career development practice, and willing to provide relevant ‘advice’ where it is explicitly sought, my end goal is to support others in finding the information, resources and support that they need for themselves as a part of each person’s journey of growth and development. This process often includes standing back to look at the bigger and more holistic picture, and making sure the better questions are being asked.

    Each journey is different, as is each step along the way, however I have become increasingly convinced that coaching is one of the most effective mechanisms for catalysing transformational change.

  • Often the counselling journey involves looking back, asking questions about one’s past, and identifying how life experiences are shaping one’s view of self and circumstance in the present moment. “How did I end up here?” might be a good summary!

    The orientation of coaching is future-focused: we work toward making a realistic assessment of the present, exploring existing opportunities and challenges (both real and perceived) in relation to one’s goals, uncovering unexamined assumptions and self-limiting beliefs, owning and learning from our deeper emotional responses or blocks, and establishing a clearer path forward toward a preferable future where personal responsibility and agency are embraced.

  • Coaching sessions can vary in length, but 45-50 minutes provides a good guide.

    It’s not about filling an allocated timeslot: it is about doing the necessary work to gain new awareness and clarity, and arriving in a place where one feels ready to move forward.

    Each journey is different, and accordingly appointments are scheduled in such a way as to prioritise the needs of the client over the demands of the clock.

    It is best to come mentally and emotionally prepared, and to keep a whole hour free.

  • No. As much as most clients appreciate the momentum and accountability that regular coaching provides, you are not obliged to lock-in for a specific time commitment.

    A key benefit of regular sessions (generally monthly) is that it can be easier to establish a regular appointment time that works well for you and the rhythms of your life.

    Regular coaching clients are also welcome to make a quick ‘check-in’ with me, between sessions, as a part of forming an ongoing, high-trust relationship.

  • My current availability includes appointments on Monday & Thursday afternoons / evenings, early morning on Tuesdays / Fridays, as well as Saturdays.

    Please note that I operate from Melbourne (using GMT+10). I am very willing to work with clients who are interstate and overseas, within reasonable working hours.

  • To reduce overheads and travel emissions, and to enhance accessibility for a wider range of clients, my preferred approach is to conduct sessions online (using Zoom). Phone appointments are also available, though less preferable as much non-verbal communication is then missed.

    To cater to those who strongly prefer in-person and/or in-nature conversations I offer a weather-dependent option of meeting at Beauty Park in central Frankston: this lovely spot is walking distance from Frankston station and features a walking track and sheltered seating area.

  • Coaching is invoiced per session (p/s) and payable within seven days (EFT only).

    Sessions are generally 45-55 minutes long.

    Standard fees: $125 p/s.

    My Executive/Corporate coaching work (@ $250 p/s) enables me to offer discounted sessions to students, low-income earners, pensioners and highly-engaged volunteer-activists ($75 p/s).

    Overheads are kept low in order to make coaching accessible to those who most need it. If cost is a barrier please let me know: we can work together to find a solution.

    Note that a 50% cancellation fee applies to sessions cancelled less than 24 hours prior to a scheduled appointment.

    GST is NOT charged.

  • I welcome contact and offer a free, no-strings-attached, phone conversation for those wanting to explore whether coaching might be helpful in this season.

    Growth and transformation is a product of a trusting and deepening coaching partnership. If you commence the coaching journey but at any point don’t feel it is providing what you need then you are in no way obliged to continue.

    My commitment to client wellbeing means that I check in regularly to ensure that both parties feel coaching sessions represent a nourishing and constructive use of precious time.