That’s a big question but my headline is that as a transformational coach, I provide a safe, energising and playful space for my clients to think deeply and make meaningful and lasting changes. I ask my clients questions, provide reflective exercises, reflect back to them and help them to define their own meaningful goals and action steps. Throughout the work together I continue to support my clients to reflect on their goals and progress and adjust as required. I don’t provide answers or solutions, unless agreed with the client. Read more about coaching.

No, coaching is client led. A solution or goal that feels right for me as a coach may not be good for my client. Only the client knows what is right for them so as a coach I’ll support my client to define and refine their own goals.

Coaching is different from therapy, counselling, mentoring and training. Coaches shouldn’t provide answers unless agreed with the client. I’m not an expert on my client and won’t presume or respond as if I am and I do not push my clients to regularly explore past events in detail. Coaching is focussed on moving forward towards goals, in career or life or wellbeing, and away from being stuck. Therapy is generally supporting the client to heal and learn coping mechanisms. There can be a grey area in coaching where it can be useful as a coach to help the client learn what might be keeping them stuck, such as an unhelpful belief about themselves. Should a client stay stuck then it’s important that coach is clear about the boundaries of coaching with the client and signpost alternative, more appropriate, support if they need support outside of the boundaries of coaching.

As both a coach and a coaching supervisor, I’ve completed certified courses in coaching (2017) and coaching supervision (2024) and subsequently gained an accreditation for each. For coaching, my accreditation is with the International Coaching Institute (ICF) as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) which I have to renew every three years. As a coaching supervisor I’m accredited yearly by the Coaching Supervision Academy. The accreditations are awarded on demonstration of continuous professional reflection, development and meeting certain standards, for example in ethical practice. I believe that certifications and accreditations are important in what is otherwise an unregulated industry to demonstrate a willingness to maintain a certain level of standards in practice and ethics. Read more about my experience.

Coaching supervision is a space for coaches to observe all areas of their practice from different perspectives to help uncover blind spots and be positively challenged. A coaching supervisor can also help the coach to reflect on ethical dilemmas that might have arisen with their clients or practice. Coaching supervision can also be helpful for a coach to develop their professional practice and identity and support their wellbeing, while they support others. Supervision hours can contribute to Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours for (re)accreditation. Read more about coaching supervision.

Mentor coaching is a space for coaches to focus specifically on their coaching skill and coaching competencies. The coach will share a 30 minutes recording of a coaching session with the mentor coach. The coach will reflect on the competencies shown and areas for development in the session. The mentor coach will give feedback using the International Coaching Federation (ICF) PCC competencies as a guide. Mentor coaching hours can contribute to Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours for credentialing. Read more about mentor coaching.

While both are specifically for coaching practitioners and both can be used as CCE hours for accreditation and credentialing, they are different in what support they offer the coach.

Coaching supervision is a deeply reflective space for a coaches to observe all areas of their practice, including ethical dilemmas, their own wellbeing and development of their coaching practice.

Mentor coaching is a space for coaches to reflect on their coaching skill and coaching competencies only, with the mentor coach offering feedback to support their learning.

In short, yes.

Coaching supervision, up to 10 hours count towards International Coaching Federation (ICF) Continuing Coach Education (CCE) hours for (re)accreditation, EMCC Global requires supervision for accreditation.

Mentor coaching hours can contribute to your ICF CCE hours for credentialing.