Terms & FAQs

Terms of Use

Terms of Use

FAQs

FAQs about Coaching

What is coaching?

The International Coaching Federation (“ICF”) defines coaching as

“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”.

The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.

We all have goals we want to reach, challenges we’re striving to overcome and times when we feel stuck. Partnering with a coach can change your life, setting you on a path to greater personal and professional fulfillment.

What are the key differences between coaching, mentoring, therapy / counselling and consulting? 

Life Coaching • Partnership: the coach is not an expert • Clients are “Creative, Resourceful and Whole” • Looking forward • Focusing on solutions	Mentoring • Mentor is an expert in the subject matter • Mentor provides guidance and advice • Looking forward • Focusing on solutions
Therapy / Counselling • Practitioner must be licensed • Practitioner questions and listens to the client, but also provides guidance and advice • Looking at past issues • Focusing on the problem	Consulting • Consultant is an expert in the subject matter • Consultant provides expert advice and solutions • Looking at past issues • Focusing on the problem

 

Check out this article to know a little more: Life Coaching, Mentoring, Therapy, Etc.: Which Is Right For Me, Right Now?

If you’re not sure if coaching / life coaching is for you right now, then schedule a call with me (free).

And don’t hesitate to do your own research, and to speak to other professionals!

What are the benefits of coaching?

Different studies list different benefits to going through a coaching experience.

And the benefits will vary depending on the type and length of the coaching experience, the topics explored… and the “work” you put into it!

A broad list of benefits includes:

• Establishing and taking action towards achieving goals
• Taking greater responsibility and accountability for actions and commitments
• Increased self-reliance, self-confidence, self-empowerment, self-awareness, resilience, clarity
• Gaining more job and life satisfaction / Work-life balance
• Deeper level of learning
• Safe place to gain perspective
• Personal development / Increased mental health
• To teams & organizations - increased and improved: contribution, collaboration, productivity, communication, performance, motivation, self-efficacy, engagement, commitment, leadership, retention

The overall end goal of coaching is for you to

• Improve YOUR satisfaction with life and reaching personal / professional goals;
• Close the gap between who you are NOW and who you WANT to be;
• EMPOWER yourself to live your life at its full potential.

How does coaching work?

The coaching process takes place over several sessions, occurring weekly or bi-weekly – the duration, frequency and overall process vary depending on your circumstances, needs and goals, and is to be agreed between you and your coach.

But for the coaching process to be successful, you must

• Be fully committed to the process, including between sessions – this commitment includes time, energy, saying “no” to other things, taking action between sessions, preparing for the next session, etc.
• Understand and accept that there will be “ups and downs”, and that it’s generally in the “down” cycles that you will grow the most.
• Believe and act as the expert of your own life – You are Creative, Resourceful and Whole!

Is coaching a regulated profession?

In most countries, coaching / life coaching is NOT a regulated profession, therefore anyone can call themselves a life coach.

However, there are institutions that provide guidance, standards and code of ethics to their members, together with accredited trainings and credentials for professional coaches – such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Are there professional standards for the coaching industry?

Yes, there are code of ethics, core competencies, accreditation processes, and there are institutions that promote the advancement of coaches.

One of the key institution is the International Coach Federation (“ICF”) -  To learn more about the ICF and its code of ethics, click here.

FAQs about Pistachio-Cassis Coaching

Who’s behind Pistachio-Cassis Coaching?

I, Christelle Soto-Suarez, am – Check my About page here and connect with me on LinkedIn!

I’m a Professional Coach and hold an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation from the International Coaching Federation.

I’m also a member of the International Coaching Federation and I’m bound by their code of ethics.

Type and style of coaching

My coaching is very much aligned with the International Coaching Federation‘s definition of coaching:

“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”

And just to be clear:

• I don’t provide guidance, advice, consulting services, etc.
• I cannot replace a therapist, counsellor, etc.
• I’m not a shoulder to cry on.

What types of services are provided?

Coaching experiences provided for one on one (1:1) and groups: coaching sessions, workshops, other group event…

Check out the Services page or schedule a call with me (free).!

What if I sign up for this and decide it is not right for me? Do you have a money back guarantee?

Yes, many of the coaching experiences have a “Refund / Money-Back Guarantee” clause in their respective Coaching Agreement, with conditions. These conditions can be discussed during our call.

How will I know you are the right coach for me?

We’ll identify if we’re an appropriate fit to each other during our initial call.

What can I expect from you as my coach?

• Be a partner in bringing out the best, the deepest, and the truest in you
• Provide safety, encouragement and support, and an environment in which you can relax and explore
• Respect the confidentiality of the agreements we make
• Expand your view of what is possible and promote discovery of new insights
• Give you input, straight feedback and operate as a sounding board
• Listen carefully to what you say and ask questions that increase awareness

How do I get started with the coaching experience?

If you are interested in beginning a coaching experience with Pistachio-Cassis Coaching, please schedule a call with me (free) so that we can explore the details together. You’ll get all the information you need to start a coaching experience either during the consultation call, or via messages shortly after. And you can always contact me by email.

How to schedule an appointment?

You can schedule a call with me here – You’ll also find that scheduling option throughout the Pistachio-Cassis Coaching website.

You’ll be given access to the calendar relevant to the coaching experience you’re investing in upon signing / agreeing to the relevant Coaching Agreement, and you’ll also receive information on how to schedule / reschedule your sessions.

What if I need to reschedule my appointment?

You can reschedule your appointment (at least 24 hour notice) by following the rescheduling link included in your confirmation message.

If you’re already a client and the coaching experience you invested in includes access to the Private Client Website, you can reschedule any appointment by using the online calendar system (at least 24 hour notice). Just complete the following steps:

• Log into your Private Client Website Area.
• Click on the Calendar Menu.
• Locate and click on the desired block of “Available” time (or if you already have an existing appointment, click on the title of your existing appointment that you wish to reschedule)
• Click on the "edit" button and change the details of the appointment to correspond with an "Available" block of time.

The calendar will update itself, you'll see your new appointment reflected and I will receive an email notification letting me know of the change.

Where does the name Pistachio-Cassis come from?

For me, it’s about an ice-cream...

Pistachio being one of my favorite flavor… but also a flavor that not everyone likes… a little bit like not wanting to follow the road most travelled, or taking the highway, to a generally accepted destination but, instead, being interested in following our own path forward… design, building and then leading OUR own life and career, in our own terms…

And cassis (better known as blackcurrant) being one of my least liked flavor… because I find it too acidic… like the many moments in life that we go through but would prefer to avoid… the downs, the negatives, the difficult times that are part of life… in which we so often learn the most or finally decide to take action…

FAQs about Security & Confidentiality

Confidentiality of the coaching experiences

All coaching discussions are conducted according to the principle of confidentiality and to the International Coaching Federation’s Code of Ethics (as such, there are exceptions if I believe there is a risk of harm to yourself or to others, or the conversation is about something that is illegal), and as per the Coaching Agreement.

However, the Coach-Client relationship is not considered a legally confidential relationship (such as with a physician or lawyer) and thus communications are not subject to the protection of any legally recognized privilege.

Is the Private Client Website and my data secured and safe?

Yes! In fact, there are 3 levels of security: provided to keep your data safe and confidential:  

• Username and password protected;
• Verisign Security Certificate protects your data on this site; 
• Secured pages (https://)

Is my information confidential?

Yes. This site is protected by a username/password system. You are the only one that has access to your information.

How do I access Private Client Website and how do I log in?

Click on the Login link in the navigational menu of the website. Then enter the username and password that has been assigned to you.

Don't have login information yet?  Contact me so we can get an account created for you.

I have a password that I use for most of my on-line accounts.  Can I change the password you assigned to me?

Yes. You will need to log in initially using the password I assigned to you. Once you log in, you can change your password at any time in your Client Profile page, under the FORMS tab.

What if I forget or lose my password and login information?

If you simply forgot your password, you can still go to the Login page by clicking the Login link. Click on the blue link "forgot password" to the right of the "Login" button and, in the new "Forgot Password" window, enter your username and click on the "Continue" button. You will receive an email shortly with your password included.

If you misplaced both your username and password, contact me and I will forward you your information.

I’m trying to log in, but it will not accept my username or password, what do I do?

Remember that the login information is case sensitive, so enter it exactly like it was given to you.

Also, type in your login credentials and DO NOT copy/paste it, as this procedure can include empty spaces, which count in a password, thus rendering incorrect.

Again, if you do not remember your login credentials, you can contact me via email and I'll forward them to you.