Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching FAQs

Everything you need to know about coaching.
What is coaching?
The coach helps you explore yourself to find the answers within you. The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.” A coach is your partner to raise your awareness of how you are responding in the world. We believe you are the expert of your life, and it is our job to collaborate with you in uncovering effective methods for achieving the goals you set, supporting you in the steps you choose to take.
What coaching is not?
Coaching is not a place to get advice, find a content expert, or receive direction on your process or outcomes. Coaching is not mental health therapy (see next question for more information).
What is narrative coaching?
Narrative coaching is discovering the stories you have been and currently are telling yourself and exploring how you want to change that story for the future outcomes using creative, inspiring, and empowering methods to make long-term, lasting change that will benefit you throughout your life.
Is coaching the same as therapy?
Coaching is not psychotherapy. Coaching services are not a substitute for mental health care. Psychotherapists are licensed under boards of practice and provide specific services to help people recover/maintain their mental and emotional health. Some psychotherapists have training as coaches, but not all. If you feel psychologically stressed to the point that it is interfering with your ability to function, please have the courage to seek the help you need in the form of a professional counselor. Life coaching may augment your therapy, but the work of coaching is meant to be done when major emotional and psychological wounds are already healing or healed. If you enter coaching while also working with a therapist, please share this with your therapist.
What am I agreeing to when signing up for coaching?
You are agreeing coaching is a partnership relationship. You are solely responsible for setting the goals and for the outcomes. You set your own homework after each session and are solely accountable for the work. You agree to be on time and ready for each session. If you are going to be late for a session, please contact me via cell phone as soon as possible. The coaching relationship is a collaborative one; both coach and client agree to bring a spirit of openness, curiosity, creativity, and experimentation to the coaching partnership.
What oversight does coaching have?
Currently, coaches are not licensed or managed under any government body in Minnesota or the United States. The International Coaching Federation is a globally recognized independent credentialing program for coaches and accredits coaching education programs. They set standards for the coaching industry developing core competencies and a professional code of ethics. Arbor Manor Coaching follows the International Coaching Federation’s (ICF) Code of Ethics and shares ICF’s core values of professionalism, collaboration, humanity, and equality.
What training do you have to qualify to coach?
I have been coaching people for over 30 years in my work as a registered nurse and leader in healthcare. Patient centered care means listening to what quality of life means to the patient and partnering with them to achieve that. I am studying coaching skills and philosophy at the Learning Journeys International Center of Coaching in Woodbury, MN. I will be certified as a Narrative Coach Practitioner in May 2025. My goal is to be certified as a Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation by the end of 2025.

Logistics FAQs

Everything you need to know about scheduling, sessions, payments.
Why is coaching offered as a package and not session by session?
The process allows you to explore your past and current beliefs and values then decide what to take forward with you on your journey to have the life you intend. Sessions following the discovery session offer you the full support of the process of coaching to make the meaningful changes in your life that you want to make permanent. Individual follow-up sessions may be added at the end of the package for additional cost of $175 per session if you need more support.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards and bank transfer transactions. When you click the button to purchase a package, you are redirected straight to the Arbor Manor Coaching business account with Bremer Bank keeping your financial information secure.
What hours are you available to have coaching sessions and how do I book a session?
My availability during the week will vary, but in general, my coaching hours are Monday – Friday between 11am and 8pm, and Saturdays 11am to 3pm. You are able to easily book your sessions and reschedule sessions via my bookings page on the website, arbormanorcoaching.com/booking
What if I don’t like it, or do not feel it is working?
If at any time you feel something is not working for you, simply say what you are experiencing. Please be open with me about how the coaching process is going for you. I want this to be a positive and productive experience for you. I welcome feedback and I am happy to adjust my approach to meet what you feel honors you. Remember, you are driving the process. If you want to be challenged more or less, simply request what you need. That being said, not all coaching relationships are always a good fit. You or I may cancel the coaching relationship for any reason. All balances are still due and future sessions will be refunded.
What is the Introduction Session?
The Introduction Session is a free consultation to get to know each other. You will share what brings you to explore coaching at this time, what you might be looking for in a coach, and ask any questions you have. You will learn about the coaching process, what to expect of a coaching session, and what to expect from me as your coach. We will discuss packages, pricing, and how to book sessions.
What if I need to cancel a session?
If you need to cancel, please let me know as soon as possible. Cancellations on the day of a session will be billed/counted as a full session. I will be as flexible as possible as life is unpredictable.
Is coaching confidential?
Yes, communications with me as a coach are confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. I do not keep specific notes of our discussions. As your coach, I will maintain the confidentiality of our communications only to the extent defined by the laws of the states in which each of us resides. Even though I am not practicing as a registered nurse when providing coaching services, I am still a mandated reporter of abuse of a child or vulnerable adult and must share any knowledge of such via the State of Minnesota reporting system.

I'm In! Now What?

Everything you need to know about scheduling, sessions, payments.
How do I choose the right coach for me?
Coaching is a personal and often vulnerable experience. To get the most out of it, you need to be open. It takes time to build trust with anyone, and it is wise to listen to your intuition as you meet coaches. Most coaches offer a free introduction session. Be prepared to ask questions about what the coaching process means to them, what they expect of clients, and what outcomes they offer. Think about what it is you seek. If you seek advice (advisor), expert knowledge (teacher), a specific path to follow (guide/guru), these are transactional coaching approaches (“I know the exact recipe towards your goal.”) If you seek awareness of your own beliefs, values, desires, dreams, then narrative coaching is the approach best suited for you (“You are the best expert of your life, I will collaborate with you in creative, inspiring methods to uncover your dream and how you want to achieve it.”).
How do I start coaching with Arbor Manor Coaching?
Welcome to Arbor Manor Coaching! First, book a free Introduction Session. After that session, when you are ready to start coaching, purchase a 3- or 6-month coaching package on my Services page. Once you have made the purchase, I will email you the Welcome Packet and instructions on how to schedule your first session, the 3-hour discovery session. I look forward to meeting you and learning about your journey and goals.
Book Now!
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Northeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Arbor Manor Coaching empowers individuals seeking personal and professional growth through tailored coaching services.
andrea@arbormanorcoaching.com