How long does a coaching arrangement go for?
Just as it is for any helping profession, it takes as long as it takes and usually continues until the client is satisfied that they have reached a solution.
Life coaching must be based on the intention to help the client become their own coach. To that end, it is common for coaching agreements to continue (although with much less frequency of sessions) for a long time after the client is satisfied that the specific problem that brought them to coaching has been fully addressed. Some clients like to check-in periodically with their coach for further assistance in ‘becoming their own coach”.
Because the issues that bring clients to coaching vary, so too does the time period. At the beginning of the relationship, the coach and client will come to agreement (usually documented) about the solution the client is seeking and an estimate of the time they agree that it might take until the client is ready to ‘go it alone’.
A once off, uncomplicated problem or goal may be achievable within 4 or 5 sessions, while more deeply rooted or complicated goals may require 20 or more sessions to achieve.
In cases where the client’s coaching is sponsored by another person, or their employer or some related corporation, a time limit is defined in the Agreement and is to be held to, except in extenuating circumstance. If, at the end date of the sponsored agreement, the client wishes to continue working with the coach, a new agreement and payment arrangement will be established.
Group coaching is a little different. There is always a defined outcome expected from the group collectively. An agreement for group coaching always has a shorter time limit (eg 6 or 8 weeks).
Just as it is for any helping profession, it takes as long as it takes and usually continues until the client is satisfied that they have reached a solution.
Life coaching must be based on the intention to help the client become their own coach. To that end, it is common for coaching agreements to continue (although with much less frequency of sessions) for a long time after the client is satisfied that the specific problem that brought them to coaching has been fully addressed. Some clients like to check-in periodically with their coach for further assistance in ‘becoming their own coach”.
Because the issues that bring clients to coaching vary, so too does the time period. At the beginning of the relationship, the coach and client will come to agreement (usually documented) about the solution the client is seeking and an estimate of the time they agree that it might take until the client is ready to ‘go it alone’.
A once off, uncomplicated problem or goal may be achievable within 4 or 5 sessions, while more deeply rooted or complicated goals may require 20 or more sessions to achieve.
In cases where the client’s coaching is sponsored by another person, or their employer or some related corporation, a time limit is defined in the Agreement and is to be held to, except in extenuating circumstance. If, at the end date of the sponsored agreement, the client wishes to continue working with the coach, a new agreement and payment arrangement will be established.
Group coaching is a little different. There is always a defined outcome expected from the group collectively. An agreement for group coaching always has a shorter time limit (eg 6 or 8 weeks).