How Coaching Works
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.”
In simpler terms, coaching helps you get unstuck, gain clarity and move forward — on your terms.
THERAPY focuses on mental health and healing.
It works with diagnosed conditions, trauma, and emotional distress, often exploring the past to understand and treat symptoms.
This approach is typically for clients experiencing significant distress, trauma, or mental health symptoms.
COACHING focuses on the present and future.
It helps build skills, confidence, and direction.
This approach is typically for clients who are generally functioning but feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure.
Did you know that the brain continues developing past puberty and into early adulthood–even into the late twenties for some individuals.
During this time, the areas responsible for planning, decision-making, impulse control, and judgment are still under construction, making the brain more sensitive to stress and negative input.
Coaching works with this stage of development by leveraging the brain’s high plasticity, when habits, thought patterns, and coping strategies are learned more quickly and more deeply. Here, clients build resilience and develop the skills needed to adapt to and recover from stress, challenges, and adversity.
You’ll walk away with:
- A stronger sense of your identity, beliefs and values
- Better management of your thoughts, emotions and behaviors
- A positive mindset (through focusing on strengths, gratitude and self-compassion)
- Greater self-confidence (through self-acceptance, recognizing achievements and learning from failures)
- Coping skills (through understanding the science behind stress)
- Improved well-being by establishing healthy and sustainable boundaries
- Realistic goals that are meaningful, manageable and can be broken down into smaller steps
Growth begins when YOU choose how the light falls on your story.
Coaching with me is driven by three key questions/areas:
What obstacles are present?
What resources can you use?
What do you need in order to live a more intentional, meaningful life and which resources do you already have that can help you achieve this?
What are your strengths, values and goals?
Who are you?
What is standing in your way of maximizing these strengths, living in line with these values, and achieving these goals?
1.
Free Consultation
(30 minutes)
2.
Intake Session
(60 minutes)
3.
Coaching Core
(45 minutes)
4.
Closing Session
(60 minutes)
This is a discovery call during which:
- You will learn more about life coaching
- Discuss with me the specifics of your situation
- See if we are a good fit
- Ask any additional questions about coaching
This is purely informational (also with 100% confidentiality) without any pressure to commit. I promise!
During our first (intake) session, we will review and discuss where you are currently, while reflecting on your responses from the intake survey. The goal of this session is to get a clearer understanding of areas you wish to focus on as well as to define your overall coaching goal.
Each coaching session will have a clear beginning, middle and end, all of which will address the overarching goal(s) for our coaching engagement.
Clients set the agenda at the start of each session by articulating what aspect of their goal they wish to explore and identifying what they would like the takeaway from that session to be. Here, coaching will focus on deepening your self-awareness, calling on your strengths and identifying possible solutions to potential obstacles.
Each session will end with you establishing:
- what you learned
- what actionable steps you could take
- who your accountability partner will be (if not me)
Together, we will take what was once overwhelming, confusing or unattainable and break it up into smaller, manageable steps.
At the end of our coaching engagement, we will reflect on your progress and celebrate your growth. Based on this, we will identify how you can continue to use the skills you learned and strengths you have empowered in order to self-coach without me.
Change
is
possible.
I show up as a real and grounded not just in my private life but in coaching too. That honesty creates a space for you to become more fully yourself.
Through balancing empathy with accountability, action with reflection and logic with emotion, I will help you figure out how to live in line with your values, with intention.
Wisdom in coaching
When you’re stuck and have lost faith, I will hold hope for you and help you see possibility beyond current circumstances.
Hope in coaching
I’m human and I won’t pretend to know everything. I won’t try to fix you or burden you with advice and solutions. Instead, I will help you access your own deeper insight through a structured approach guided by thoughtful, layered questions.
Balance in coaching
Compassion in coaching
Without pretending to know exactly how you feel or what you’re going through, I will make you feel seen and heard, without judgement—as I believe each person’s struggles are unique and deserve validation.
Authenticity in coaching
Do I need coaching or therapy?
How do I know if I need coaching or therapy?
While there are some similarities, coaching is not a replacement for therapy if mental health issues are present. Both support clients through life’s challenges, However, a therapist can give advice and prescribe medication while life coaches support self-exploration through listening and powerful questioning without giving advice. Therapy tends to focus on the past while coaching focuses on the present and future. Coaching can be complimentary to therapy or an excellent next step after therapy. For clients who have experienced pregnant loss, coaching supports emotional wellbeing and values-based living; it doesn’t replace therapy for unresolved trauma or clinical depression.
Why not use artificial intelligence instead?
Why is a human life coach better than AI?
AI can offer insights and suggestions, but it can’t replace understanding that comes from human experience. Coaching is built on real connection, trust, and emotional awareness — the kind that motivates change in a way no algorithm can. A coach adapts support, accountability, and encouragement to the person, not just the data.
What if I don't fit the client profiles or topics you have listed?
What if I want to work on a topic that isn’t listed on the coaching website?
That’s completely okay. Coaching is client-led, which means we focus on what matters most to you — even if it’s not listed anywhere.
What if I am older or younger than the ages you have listed that you work with?
Age ranges are listed purely as a guideline, not a hard rule. If you’re a bit younger or older than the ages listed, it doesn’t automatically mean we’re not a fit. What matters most is where you are in life, what you’re navigating right now, and whether my coaching approach feels supportive for you.
If you’re unsure, I encourage you to get in touch or book a free discovery call. We can explore your situation together and see if working together makes sense—or I can help point you in a more suitable direction if needed.
Do you work with International clients?
Yes, I work with international clients from all over the world. Coaching sessions are held online, which makes it easy to connect regardless of your location or time zone. My approach is especially well-suited for people navigating cross-cultural experiences, international education paths, expat life, or big life transitions.
Where are sessions held?
Sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams (or Zoom) in pre-arranged appointments. Live coaching at a physical location can also be arranged by request.
How are sessions structured?
What do coaching sessions look like?
Coaching is client-led which means the client sets the direction of the work.
Each 50 minute coaching session is structured with a clear beginning, middle and end ensuring that clients’ progress can be measured. As a complimentary service, the coach can offer gentle, weekly check-ins / reminders in between sessions.
For more details, read ”The Process” section on the How coaching works page here on my website.
What if I reach my goal before the end of the coaching package?
That’s a good thing. We can either set new goals, use the remaining sessions for deeper support, or adjust the plan so it continues to serve you.
What if I don't know how many sessions I need?
What if I don’t know which coaching package/duration to choose?
You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start.
Many clients are unsure of which package or duration is right for them. That’s exactly what the free discovery call is for. We’ll talk through your goals, challenges, and current situation, and I’ll help you choose the option that best supports you—without any pressure.
You can also start with a shorter package and decide to continue later if it feels like a good fit. Coaching is meant to meet you where you are, not lock you into something you’re unsure about.
What if I reach my goal before the end of the coaching package?
That’s a good thing. We can either set new goals, use the remaining sessions for deeper support, or adjust the plan so it continues to serve you.
Is everyting i say kept confidential?
Yes. Everything shared in coaching is treated as confidential and with respect. The only exceptions are situations involving risk of harm to yourself or others. Before our coaching begins, you will sign a Coaching Agreement which also includes a confidentiality clause.
What is your policy on rescheduling or cancellation?
What if I need to reschedule or cancel a session?
Before we begin, all clients sign a Coaching Agreement that outlines scheduling expectations. I kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for rescheduling or cancellations. I always aim to be flexible and accommodate changes where possible; cancellations with less notice may be charged.
What if I need to take a break from coaching?
Life happens. Trust me, with three small kids, I know. You’re always allowed to pause. We can slow down, reschedule, or take a break and return when it feels right for you.
How does payment of packages work?
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Still have a question? Contact me or book a free discovery call!
Resilience coaching for teens and emerging adults navigating life transitions.
info@salixa.hr
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