Life coach Chantal Ducoeurjoly
How would you describe the role of a life coach?
The main role of a a life coach is to help people improve their lives in specific ways, such as changing careers, finding a healthy relationship, taking their business to a new level, losing weight or deepening their self-understanding. A life coach also helps their client deal with stress management as well as time management, goal setting and other key areas of change to help their clients lead more balanced lives that better reflect the clients’ personal values and priorities.
How does life coaching differ from counselling or psychotherapy?
Coaching differs from therapy in that the focus is more on the present and future rather than the past. It´s based more on goals and behaviors than emotions and emotional patterns, and there is a more equal balance of power between the coach and client than between the typical therapist and client. Put simply, a therapist or counsellor is [there] to heal the wounds of the past, and a life coach supports you in moving your life forward.
In what circumstances would you say most people are in need of a life coach
When a person wants to experience more freedom, power and effectiveness in achieving their goals and greater clarity in moving through a transition, a good coach will help the person reach their objectives much more quickly. Often, people need someone like a life coach to help them take the dreams they have in their heads -- the visions of what they want to do next with their lives -- and do the work to make them a reality
At what age do most people go through life changes
Life changes occur at many different stages in life. For some, it may be a mid-life crisis, for others if may be leaving the proverbial nest while for others it may be about creating a satisfying retirement for themselves. According to ICF (International Coaching Federation) statistics, the majority of coaching clients are aged from between 35 to 55 and are at a crossroads and need to make a decision and are tired of choosing out of safety and fear.
Is the desire for change more prevalent among men or women? And why is this
I think it´s prevalent in both men and women. People are realizing that if they want to live a more fulfilling life, they need to take action and make the necessary changes to get there. Some people can do it on their own while others choose to hire a life coach as it normally speeds up the process.
When people come to you for help, what are the main issues they want to change?
People often come to me because they feel something is missing or they are having difficulties reaching certain goals they have set for themselves. Others are seeking self-actualization and need help along the way.
How much do people need to help themselves if they want to change their life
People need to accept the fact that they are 100% responsible for their lives and that they are the only ones who can take steps to make the necessary life changes in order to reach their goals
and live their life to the fullest.
How many sessions do you think an individual requires if they are looking to change direction
Although I challenge my clients to emotionally commit to the coaching process for at least three full months, this is completely up to them. Some people feel they have gotten where they want to go in one month, while others will decide to make coaching a long-term commitment to further their growth. Our coaching packages (which consists of three sessions per month) tend to assist clients in moving towards their goals faster and with less set-backs.
As a professional life coach, how do you go about helping people to change their lives?
First, a partnership of trust is developed where the client agrees to produce results. Secondly, I listen carefully, ask powerful questions, challenge my clients to step out of their comfort zone and provide non-judgemental feedback where necessary. Thirdly, I also enthuse my client and encourage them to celebrate their wins (big and small!) along the way. In doing so, the appropriate value
driven goals are established and the client, by way of taking appropriate action, goes about reaching his/her goals and desired outcomes.
Why do you think there is a greater need for life coaching in the modern world?
. With everything going on in the world these days, more and more people are realizing that life is precious and limited and that there must be more than what they have. Many people are tired of doing what they "should" do and are ready to do something special and meaningful for the rest of their lives. The problem is, many can't see what that something is, or if they can, they can't see a way to redirect their life to it. A coach can help with both
People are realizing how simple it can be to accomplish something that several years ago might have felt out of reach or like a pipe dream. A coach is a not a miracle worker, but a coach does have a large tool kit to help the Big Dream become a Reality. And, fortunately, people now have the time and resources to invest in themselves to reach their life goals.
People are becoming more aware and connected with themselves and others. Whether you call it 'spirituality' or 'Emotional Intelligence', people are begining to gain a better understanding of the importance of tapping into their own intuition and emotions to help guide them in their lives and relationships. A coach listens and responds to what has heart and meaning and helps the client become more skilled in doing the same.
As well as personal coaching, what other types of coaching do you offer?
I offer parenting, business, career, transformational and wellbeing coaching since these areas resonate deeply with me. I believe I have
something to offer those who are seeking ways of living their fullest life possible.
In what ways can parents help/coach their children who are going through difficulties? How can you help with this
I recommend parents help their children find a more positive or different frame of the experience or situation. Parents can help
their children draw our some positive features of what happened in any given situation. Parents can also practise the three P´s:
1. The First P: Being Positive Three ways to help your child be more positive:
a. Listen to what you say and how you say it
b. Catch your child being successful...and celebrate the victory!
c. See life through a positive window...help your child see the cup as half full rather than half empty (there is always a silver lining in each cloud)
2. The Second P: Being Persistent - help your child realize the importance of sticking to something and teach them that all learning is a risk and real learning takes place when we are at the edge of our comfort zone! Here are 3 ways to help your child develop persistence:
a. Focus on what you want your child to achieve and help your child have the end goal in mind
b. Practise practising - the more often the neurons fire together in our minds the easier the learning
c. Explore alternative solutions - there are often many ways to do one thing...help your child think outside of the box!
3. The Third P: Problem-solving - an essential life skill, help your child by encouraging curiosity, Ask lots of What? Where?
When? How? and Why? questions to seek explanations and help them discover things for themselves.
What sort of issues do children need help with?
I think one of the most important issues for children is helping them build strong self-esteem and knowing how to deal with life´s challenges. How a child feels about themself and how they
respond affects their approach to life. It influences their willingness to take risks or ¨have a go¨at something new. It´s difficult to say ¨I don´t know or ¨I need help¨ if you don´t believe you´re good enough. The followig BASICS model can help parents improve their child´s self-esteem.
B - Belonging - help your child feel loved by providing ¨together time¨, routine around meals/bath, reading at bedtime
A- Aspirations - talk to your child about what´s possible and help them choose goals that will empower them and help them grow
S- Safety - learning is risky, but without stepping out of their comfort zone and trying new things, growth is minimal...remind your child mistakes often pave the way to success!
I - Identity - help your child learn about their strenghts and weaknesses and who they really are- this helps build confidence!
C- Challenges - we all need challenges in order to grow - help your child learn to develop coping strategies for everyday challenges
S -Success - praise your child for the little wins along the way and provide feedback why failure is an important part of the process of learning
In essence, every parent is a coach and it is our job to find out how we can help our children improve in particular areas where growth
is needed. Using the RESPECT model helps us focus on the necessary areas for growth:
R- Reassuring - reassure your child and help them believe they can do it
E- Enthusiastic - parental enthusiasm is infectious...give lots of it!
S- Steady - patience and perseverence
P- Practical - ¨let´s try this again and see what happens...¨
E- Engaging - Show your child how to do it first and then let them try it.
C- Clear - clearly explain what is expected of your child or how they can do it better- this works wonders!
T- Truthful - honesty is important ¨you seem to kick better with your right foot then your left...so we should practise kicking more with the left¨
Would you advise parents to send children directly to you for help?
I believe, parenting coaching is an innovative way to offer on-going family support and parent education using the most advanced techniques from coaching principles. I offer parents, through my coaching, a way to discover more of their own answers, providing the ultimate in family support and parent guidance that results in positive changes for the entire family. As your coach I can help you slow down, make sure your self-care is on track, listen, affirm, nudge and nurture you so you can start enjoying your children more.
I also offer coaching for teens/kids because I also believe it is a way of offering important life skills and helping them tap into the potential of a deeper level of personal empowerment and fulfillment. As as coach I can help my them welcome new challenges as an opportunity for growth, gain new skills and insights as well as help them discover what they are doing and how they can improve. I can show them how thought creates feelings and emotions which, in turn, influences behaviour. For example, teenagers can start to understand that they can manage their behaviour - because behaviour can be changed as easily as changing their thoughts. The other magical impact of this is that they learn how they can create their own reality and that what they see and how they feel about something is what they ultimately manifest in their lives.
How can people find you?
If you would like more information about Endavant Coaching and would like to do free trial session, please visit our website at www.endavantcoaching.com or call us at +34 93 843 2184.
Chantal Ducoeurjoly
Certified Life Coach
¨Life is a daring adventure, or nothing¨ Helen Keller
Feb 2009
