What exactly is coaching?

Coaching is a thought-partnership designed to help you get clarity, uncover possibilities, and move toward your goals. It’s not about someone telling you what to do - it’s about you discovering your best way forward with support.

How is coaching different from therapy?

Therapy often looks at the past to help you heal, while coaching is more future-focused, action-oriented and centered on growth. Both can be powerful, but they serve different purposes.

How is coaching different from mentoring or consulting?

• Mentors share advice based on their experience

• Consultants provide solutions and strategies

• Coaches help YOU discover answers, build confidence and stay accountable

Plenty of people can tell you what to do to reach your goals, and that might get you part of the way there. But a coach helps you unlock your own unique strengths, insights, and inner drive. That’s what allows you to reach your full potential, often further than you (or anyone else) ever imagined.

Who works with a coach?

The short answer: all kinds of people. Coaching isn’t limited to one type of person or one stage of life - it’s for anyone who wants to grow with intention.

• Career changers who are figuring out their next step or pivoting into a new field.

• Executives and leaders who want to sharpen their leadership skills, make better decisions, or manage stress at the top.

• Entrepreneurs who need clarity, focus, and accountability as they build or scale a business.

• Professionals “stuck in the middle” - people who aren’t unhappy, but know they’re capable of more and want to break through to the next level.

• Students and young professionals seeking direction, confidence, and career clarity early on.

• Parents and caregivers who are balancing multiple roles and want to thrive, not just survive.

• High performers who are already doing well but want to go from good to great.

• Other coaches and helping professionals who understand the value of having their own thought partner.

Some clients come to coaching because they feel lost or overwhelmed. Others come because they’re ambitious and want to maximize their potential. What they all have in common: a desire to grow and the willingness to invest in themselves.

Do I need to have a big problem to work with a coach?

Not at all. Coaching isn’t just for crises - it’s for clarity, growth, and intentional progress. Many clients work with a coach simply because they want more: more impact, more balance, more fulfillment. Wanting those things is easy but actually creating them is where it gets tricky. Fear, doubt, or old patterns often get in the way. That’s where coaching helps you move from wanting to doing in a way that feels aligned and sustainable.

How does coaching work?

We typically meet weekly or biweekly. Sessions are structured conversations focused on your goals. Between sessions, you take action steps, do various exercises and/or reflect on insights.

How long does coaching last?

It depends on your goals! Some people do short-term (3–6 months) for a specific challenge, while others continue longer for ongoing growth and accountability. I am confident that you will see progress staring with your first session.

What happens during a coaching session?

I will ask powerful questions, listen deeply, challenge assumptions and help you generate insights that evoke awareness and move you forward in new ways. You’ll leave each session with clarity, energy and next steps.

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

If you’re motivated to grow, open to new perspectives, and ready to take action, coaching can be a great fit. The best way to know is to try a session and see how it feels.

Do coaches need to be certified?

Not legally. Anyone can technically call themselves a coach, regardless of training or experience. This is unfortunate because it creates confusion, inconsistent quality, unmet expectations and skepticism - making it harder for people to trust and benefit from professional coaching.

As a certified personal and executive coach, I have:

• completed rigorous training in coaching techniques and frameworks

• adhered to a professional code of ethics and standards

• logged over 800 coaching hours

• committed to ongoing education to keep skills sharp

Choosing a certified coach isn’t a guarantee of results (same is true with any professional), but it does provide confidence that you’re working with someone who is trained, accountable and committed to professional standards.

Is coaching confidential?

Yes. As an ACC certified coach with the ICF, I follow strict ethical guidelines around confidentiality, similar to therapy or counseling.

How much does coaching cost?

It varies widely depending on the coach’s experience, specialty and package structure. Think of it like hiring a personal trainer: you could work out on your own for free, but having someone guide you, push you, and keep you accountable helps you get stronger results, faster and more effectively. Coaching is an investment in accelerating your growth and reaching your goals faster and beyond what you thought was possible. Email me at jacqui@jacquiporter.com to discuss what type of coaching package may be right for you. Or book your complimentary Discovery Session.

What kind of results can I expect?

My clients experience real, lasting breakthroughs. The best way to see the impact of coaching with me is through their stories. Visit my TESTIMONIALS PAGE to read how partnering with me has helped clients gain clarity, confidence and achieve meaningful success.