FAQ: What Is Coaching, Really?

Q: What is coaching, exactly?

Great question—coaching gets thrown around a lot these days, so let’s clear it up.

According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), coaching is “a thought-provoking and creative partnership that inspires clients to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

In plain speak? Coaching is a powerful, collaborative process where we focus on you—your goals, your mindset, your growth. It’s not about me giving you the answers. It’s about helping you access your own wisdom, deepen your self-awareness, and create meaningful, sustainable change.

Q: How is coaching different from therapy?

Therapy and coaching can complement each other beautifully—but they’re not the same thing.

• Therapy often focuses on healing past trauma, processing emotions, and working through mental health concerns. It’s led by licensed professionals trained to diagnose and treat psychological conditions.

• Coaching, on the other hand, is future-focused. We don’t dwell in the past—we use it to inform where you want to go next. Coaching is about helping you build self-trust, resilience, and momentum in the present.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or unprocessed trauma, therapy is the right fit. If you’re ready to move forward, get unstuck, and lead yourself with more clarity and confidence, coaching can be a powerful next step.

Q: How is coaching different from mentoring?

Mentors are usually experts in your field who’ve “been there, done that” and can offer advice or guidance based on their own experiences. They might say, “Here’s what I did, and here’s what I think you should do.”

In coaching, you’re the expert in your own life. I’m not here to hand you a blueprint—I’m here to help you create your own. I’ll ask powerful questions, reflect back patterns, and hold space for you to discover your truth. Think of me as a strategic thought partner, not a guru.

That being said, I do offer mentoring in connection with coaching if you’d like to draw on my varied personal and professional experiences. Feel free to ask about this on our breakthrough call!

Q: How is coaching different from consulting?

Consultants are hired to solve a specific problem using their expertise. They analyze, advise, and often implement solutions for you.

As your coach, I’m not here to fix you—because you're not broken. Coaching is about drawing out your insight and helping you develop strategies that feel aligned, doable, and grounded in your values. I’m not here to run your life like a project—I’m here to empower you to lead it with intention.

Q: What kind of coaching do you offer?

I specialize in Women’s Wellness Empowerment Coaching, with a focus on:

• Empowerment and self-leadership through self-compassion

• Mindset and mental wellness

• Burnout recovery

• Body image healing

• Confidence building

• Navigating life or career transitions with clarity and ease

My coaching is rooted in the belief that when women lead with self-compassion, they lead their lives with more courage, clarity, and joy. And I’m here to help you do just that. Learn more.