FAQs:

Q: Is coaching a new version of therapy/counseling?

A: No. Therapy and coaching have very significant differences. The purpose of psychotherapy (counseling) is to address emotional pain and heal emotional wounds. Psychotherapy, which works from the past to the present, is the best way to address difficulties related to our upbringing.

Coaching works from the present to the future. Its purpose is to significantly enrich clients’ lives. It does so by realigning clients with their strengths, sense of purpose, and values, and by helping them develop new talents, skills, and habits. Like therapists, coaches do work with self limiting beliefs. Their objective in doing so, however, is to clear the way for achievement of the client’s goals.

  
Q: Why would someone hire a coach if they don’t have a big problem?

A:  First, many people do hire a coach when they have a serious problem. Burnout, being overwhelmed by life’s demands, and serious health challenges are examples of problems that bring individuals to a coach.

Generally speaking, the desire to significantly develop or improve some aspect of life is the primary reason people hire a coach. Coaching is a valuable choice for those who wish to meet life’s challenges and stages with success and authenticity.

Q:  What are the costs associated with coaching and what value does the client receive for those costs?

A:  Coaching fees range from $75 to $250 per session, depending upon the coach, his or her education, expertise, and experience. Six months of weekly coaching (the amount of time required to gain the full benefit of coaching) is approximately equal to the amount one person might spend for a one- or two-week vacation. Most coaches meet with clients weekly or bi-monthly for one hour and invite E-mail and brief phone contact between sessions.

The benefits of coaching are designed to last a lifetime and should actually increase for a year or two after coaching stops.

Finally, many coaches were trained as such after having had successful careers in other fields. Of those, most have selected specialization areas directly related to their areas of expertise. In most cases, clients are receiving services from a seasoned professional who has years of experience, a factor that adds tremendous value to the process.

Q: Coaching sounds like applied “positive thinking.” Is it realistic?

A: Coaching is “realistically positive.” We live in a very problem-oriented society. We define problems and then try to fix them. Recently however, we’ve started to explore what makes life work, rather than what causes it to break down. Researchers in many fields have worked to shed light on such things as fulfillment, creativity, success, innovation, and wellness. To view some of this literature, go to www.googlescholar.com and search positive psychology, wellness, appreciative inquiry, or creativity.

The field of coaching draws heavily upon this body of research. It involves the use of techniques that are effective in producing deep and lasting change for the better.

Q: Is telephone coaching as effective as face-to-face coaching?

A: Many coaches, work by phone. Telephone coaching allows clients to be either at work or at home during their session. It also allows coaches and clients who are in different geographical areas to work together. Clients are often surprised by the power and potency of telephone sessions.

Q: How do I choose a coach?

A: The International Coach Federation (www.coachfederation.org) Web site has a directory of coaches. Selecting several names and interviewing each is a good way to start. Coaching is a very important investment of time, energy, and money, Finding someone who connects well with you and who demonstrates a good understanding of your goals, is essential.

The coach you select should be certified by an ICF accredited coach training institution. Many people these days call themselves coaches, so certification is essential for ensuring state of the art training.

Q: Why Tortuga ?

A: One of the most amusing parts of starting a new business has been fielding questions about its name.

Tortuga is the Spanish word for turtle. Having studied and worked with symbols, both professionally and personally, the turtle is a favorite. It is an ancient symbol that appears in the art and religious traditions of many cultures. Native Americans saw the earth as a turtle, and in other traditions it has symbolized wholeness.

Turtles carry their homes on their back. What better symbol is there for the aspects of ourselves, that can be a little cumbersome, but are also constant and protective?

Turtles can travel great distances by taking one step at a time. They are grounded (to say the least!), and they enjoy tremendous longevity when in a compatible environment.

The logo shows the turtle emerging from a well-defined space. It has a spiral on its back, a face and a balance between light and dark elements. Moving through life, humans naturally cycle through light and dark periods in a spiral-like fashion. Our emergence into fullness is dependent upon our ability to flow and to learn through both light and dark times.