What is Coaching?

Coaching is a supportive process, an intimate relationship with the purpose of assisting a client in clarifying and reaching goals, achieving success, and changing their life. Applying assessments and counseling-like methods, the coach assists the client in defining purpose, uncovering insights, discovering barriers, and identifying or organizing steps toward reaching the objective.  The coach is often a catalyst for action and a standard bearer for accountability.

How is Coaching different from counseling?

While coaching and counseling are related, they are distinctly different in terms of their focus and objectives. Counseling is appropriate for dealing with major issues, often past hurts or behaviors that are creating difficulties in a client’s life. Counseling is the tool of choice for healing and resolution of problems, especially those rooted in past events or experiences. Coaching is more primarily focused on growth and reaching future goals, seeking forward-looking solutions, creating desired results in life.

How do I know if Coaching with Harvest is for me?

It is important for a successful Coaching relationship for there to be a desire to make changes, really strive for goals, and commit to truly work toward creating something different in life. If those basics exist, then exploring a “fit” with a particular coach is the first and most important step. We offer a free assessment session for that purpose where you and Rick spend some time talking about objectives and expectations, evaluate the personality and style match and talk about the coaching process to determine if a coaching relationship seems to offer value. This test drive ensures that coaching, specifically Harvest Coaching, is the proper relationship for the change you seek.

What does the Coaching process look like?

Coaching is typically a monthly commitment involving weekly sessions (generally 3 weeks then a 1 week break) of 30-45 minutes conducted by phone or video conference. The sessions have a  pre-planned agenda and subject matter so they are productive and focused. Between sessions, short emails or brief phone calls for questions or events sharing may occur to keep connected and facilitate the coaching process. There are often assessments, readings or other assignments that are worked between the coaching sessions. Each month the coach and client will evaluate the relationship and progress to determine if the relationship should be continued.

How long does a Coaching arrangement usually last?

Of course the coaching relationship duration will be determined by the purpose and nature of the goals being worked and the success of the coaching. A coaching encounter working on specific objectives can be expected to last three to six months but of course, that time can vary. If additional goals are set, the relationship can often continue on as the partners work additional goals.

Is Coaching New?

Of course many types of coaching have been around for a long time. The most widely known would be sports coaching. As others realized that the same principles that allowed athletes improve under a coach could be successful in other endeavors, coaching began to spread and explode. Executive coaching, wellness coaching, life coaching all began to evolve as they yielded success in assisting people in realizing goals and growth. There are currently over 40,000 coaches practicing world-wide, many with counseling or other related backgrounds. On a related note, many counselors in recent years have similarly begun to focus on forward looking, hope focused, solution oriented interactions fueling the growth of the Positive Psychology movement.

Is Coaching Confidential?

Coaching discussions are held confidential and not disclosed without agreement by both parties. Trust is an obvious, crucial component of the successful coaching relationship and ensuring that trust is of utmost importance in our practice.

Why would I want to work with a Christian Coach?

If you are a Christian and want to ensure that your coaching is conducted in a manner consistent with your faith, then you would obviously want to select a Christian coach. However, even if you are not a Christian, a Christian coach will approach the coaching relationship with a set of values, principles, ethics and a worldview that offers a unique framework for clarifying and pursuing true success. In any case as you consider the type of coach that would best assist in your quest, we encourage you to learn of their value framework as an important component of the coaching relationship.

How much does Coaching cost?

Coaching fees vary based on the type of setting, general subject area and whether individual or group. Please see our “How Coaching Works – Methods and Fees” section for our current fees.