Your Questions, Answered Honestly
What is Life Coaching?
Life coaching is a structured, forward-focused process that helps you get clear on what you want, understand what is holding you back, and take practical steps to move forward. It is not therapy. It does not focus on diagnosing or treating mental health conditions. It focuses on where you are now, where you want to be, and what needs to happen to get there.
How is coaching different from therapy?
Therapy typically focuses on understanding and processing the past. Coaching focuses on the present and the future. Both have their place. I work with people who are functioning well but feel stuck, unclear, or unfulfilled. If someone needs clinical mental health support, I will always say so honestly and point them in the right direction.
Does life coaching actually work?
It works when you are ready to engage with it honestly. Coaching is not something that happens to you. It is something you participate in. People who get the most from it come with a genuine willingness to look at things clearly and take action. I have a 95% client satisfaction rate across my coaching work, but the results depend on the person as much as the process.
Is life coaching the same as mentoring?
Not quite. A mentor usually shares their own experience and tells you what worked for them. A coach works from what is right for you specifically. I do not impose my own path on anyone I work with. My job is to help you figure out yours, using the right questions, the right framework, and a lot of careful listening.
Who do you work with?
I work with people in their 20s to 50s who feel stuck in their work, their life, or both. That might mean a career that no longer fits, a loss of direction or confidence, a big decision they cannot seem to make, or just a persistent feeling that something needs to change but they cannot work out what. If you are functioning but not thriving, coaching is probably the right next step.
Do I need a specific goal before I start coaching?
No. A lot of people come to me knowing something is off but not being able to name what. That is actually a very common starting point. Part of what we do in early sessions is get clear on what you actually want, which is often harder than it sounds. You do not need to arrive with a neat goal. You just need to be ready to look at things honestly.
Can coaching help with career change?
Yes, and it is one of the most common things I work on. Career change is rarely just a practical problem. It involves confidence, identity, risk tolerance, and often a lot of fear about getting it wrong. Coaching helps you get clear on what you actually want from work, what is holding you back from going for it, and what realistic steps forward look like for your situation.
What if I am dealing with something more serious than feeling stuck?
I will always be honest with you about whether coaching is the right fit. I have four years of experience working alongside psychologists and mental health professionals in an HSE Primary Care setting, so I know where the line is. If someone needs clinical support, I will say so clearly and help them find it. Coaching is not a replacement for mental health treatment.
What happens in a coaching session?
Sessions last 60 minutes and take place online via Zoom. We start by checking in on where you are and what has happened since we last spoke. Then we work on whatever is most relevant for you that week. That might be unpacking a decision, working through something that is holding you back, or building on progress already made. Every session ends with a clear next step.
How long does life coaching take?
It depends on what you are working on. Some people get significant clarity and direction in four to six sessions. Others work with me over a longer period on deeper changes. My 8-session package covers about two months of weekly work, which is usually enough time to make genuine progress on a specific area of your life or career.
Is online coaching as effective as in-person coaching?
Yes. The research on this is consistent. Online coaching is equally effective and is often more convenient, which means people actually show up and do the work. All my sessions are delivered via Zoom. You can be based anywhere in Ireland or abroad.
What is the discovery call and do I have to commit to anything?
The discovery call is a free 30-minute conversation. We talk about what is going on for you, what you are hoping to get from coaching, and whether working together makes sense. There is no pressure and no obligation. If it is not the right fit, I will tell you that honestly. If it is, we talk about next steps.
How much does life coaching cost in Dublin?
A single session at Progress Life Coach costs €125. The 8-session package costs €1,000, which includes weekly one-hour sessions plus WhatsApp and email support between sessions. The discovery call is always free with no obligation.
Is coaching confidential?
Completely. What you share in sessions stays between us. I follow strict professional ethics in line with ICF standards and Irish coaching guidelines. Your personal information and session notes are kept secure and never shared with anyone.
What is your cancellation policy?
Life happens. If you need to cancel or reschedule, give at least 24 hours notice and we will sort it out. I try to be flexible because I know things come up. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may not be refundable.
What qualifications does Christopher have?
I hold two coaching diplomas from the Irish Life Coaching Institute, I am an ICF member, a PSI member, and I have a BA in Psychology from NCI. Alongside my coaching practice, I have spent four years working as an Individual Placement and Support Employment Specialist within an HSE Primary Care Centre, supporting people with serious mental health difficulties back into employment. That experience shapes how I coach more than any qualification.