If you don’t ask..
What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
Therapy is a wide reaching term that includes various approaches such as psychotherapy, counselling, and psychiatry. It primarily focuses on addressing mental health issues and emotional distress. Therapists work with individuals to alleviate symptoms, explore the underlying causes of psychological problems and support the healing process. It often addresses issues like depression, anxiety, trauma and other mental health disorders. Its tends focus on the past, roots of trauma and how these show up for the client. It’s overall goal is to alleviate distress, promote mental health and supporting clients in managing and resolving emotional and psychological issues.
Philosophical Coaching, on the other hand, is to help clients gain clarity, self-understanding and insight into their values and life choices. It focusses on the present and the future (only dipping into the past so the coach can understand the client’s whole story). Its aims is to promote personal growth, decision-making through critical thinking and ultimately the development of a meaningful and fulfilling life.
How much does it cost?
Professional coaching can be expensive, but then so is a holiday. The difference is that coaching can change your life beyond those 3 or 4 weeks a year when you’re away from the day job.
I try to only work with clients who are genuinely committed to the coaching process. I charge per session, but I suggest a minimum of 6 hour long sessions in order to be able to make a sustainable change for my clients.
The amount I charge depends on whether it is corporate or personal coaching; and also the length of time we work together; and the issues we are presented with. I find the cost of coaching helps my clients become focussed and also fully committed to our work together. I choose not discuss my fees before we meet initially. However, I will put together a fee structure at the end of our first meeting and we take it from there.
Do I need to have studied philosophy to undertake this coaching?
No, you absolutely do not need to have studied philosophy to benefit from philosophical coaching. Instead, it is designed to assist people from various backgrounds and of different stages in their life in exploring philosophical concepts and applying them to their personal lives. This can include more narrow issues like career transition or exploring the bigger questions such as “Who am I?” “What’s my story?” or “What do I stand for”. Often, it involves a combination because they are arguably all part of the same thing.
The philosophical coaching process is all about fostering rapport, connection and deep reflection to encourage philosophical thinking. It’s valuable for anyone seeking to enhance their self-awareness, personal growth and decision-making abilities.
Can philosophical coaching benefit executives seeking career coaching?
Philosophical coaching can be particularly beneficial for executives in the corporate world because it provides them with a unique perspective and tools to enhance their leadership skills, decision-making, and overall effectiveness in their professional roles. Below are some examples of how this would work:-
Critical Thinking: Philosophical coaching encourages executives to engage in critical thinking and philosophical reflection. This helps them develop a deeper understanding of complex issues, assess situations from different angles, and make more informed decisions.
Ethical Leadership: Philosophical coaching can assist executives in exploring ethical dilemmas and moral considerations in their decision-making processes. It enables them to align their leadership with their values and principles, promoting ethical behavior within their organizations.
Self-Awareness: By examining their beliefs, values, and personal philosophies, executives can gain greater self-awareness. This self-awareness can help them understand their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, leading to improved self-leadership and emotional intelligence.
Problem Solving: Philosophical coaching equips executives with skills to approach problems and challenges in a systematic and logical manner. It encourages them to break down complex issues into manageable components and find innovative solutions.
Effective Communication: Philosophical dialogues and discussions can enhance an executive's communication skills. The ability to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly, engage in constructive debates, and actively listen to others can foster better teamwork and collaboration.
Adaptability: Philosophical coaching can help executives become more adaptable and open to change. By exploring various philosophical perspectives, they can better navigate uncertainty and be more receptive to new ideas and strategies.
Leadership Development: Philosophical coaching can assist executives in developing their leadership style, focusing on authenticity, and building stronger connections with their teams and colleagues. It promotes a more holistic and thoughtful approach to leadership.
Stress Management: Executives often face high levels of stress. Philosophical coaching can help them manage stress and maintain resilience by providing them with tools for perspective-taking, emotional regulation and what really matters to them.
Value driven Goal Setting: Philosophical coaching can assist executives in setting meaningful and values-aligned goals, which can drive motivation and purpose in their professional lives.
Work-Life Balance: Philosophical coaching can also help executives find balance between their personal and professional lives, ensuring their well-being and overall life satisfaction.
Overall, philosophical coaching offers executives a framework for self-improvement, ethical leadership, and critical thinking, enabling them to be more effective and purpose-driven in their roles.