FAQs

Explore insightful answers to our FAQs

You are capable of much more than you think

Here are answers to common questions we receive at alexandrapatrick. Use the FAQ dropdown links to learn more about our consulting and coaching services. We’ve captured valuable information about what our clients ask about our services. Explore the insightful answers to our FAQs.

If you can’t find an answer to a question, do book a free discovery call.

What services do you offer

Our marketing consulting and coaching services are personalised to individual and corporate needs. We help individuals and brands discover strategies to find focus, clarity and purpose.

Discover more about our consulting and coaching services.

What is the difference between your consulting and coaching?

Marketing consulting provides expert advice to identify challenges, suggest solutions, and help you achieve your goals. We guide and support you in developing the skills to adapt and move forward.

Coaching helps you find your own solutions. A coach encourages you to focus on a positive way forward, offering support in a safe, judgement-free space to clarify your goals and explore options.

Discover more about our consulting and coaching services.

What is the difference between your coaching and mentoring?

Coaching is more task or goal focused, whereas mentoring is more relationship focused.

Mentoring provides guidance based on professional experience. A mentor will help you navigate challenges, build confidence, and develop new skills. The mentor will support and empower you to grow and move forward.

Coaching helps you find your own solutions. A coach encourages you to focus on a positive way forward, offering support in a safe, judgment-free space to clarify your goals and explore options.

How is coaching different from counselling?

Coaching focuses on setting goals and actions for the future, while counselling supports clinical mental health, past traumas and emotional healing.

Coaching helps you find your own solutions. A coach encourages you to focus on moving forward, providing support in a safe, judgment-free space.

Counselling helps people deal with personal problems, emotions, or past experiences. It focuses on understanding feelings and finding ways to cope.

A coach may be a good choice if:

  • You want to focus on future goals and personal growth
  • You’re looking for guidance and support in everyday challenges and decisions (as opposed to emotional or psychological issues)
  • You want to discover practical strategies for achieving specific objectives
  • You need accountability and motivation
  • You’re ready to take action and make changes

A counsellor may be more appropriate if:

  • You’re dealing with difficult thoughts, feelings, and behaviours
  • You need to process past experiences or emotional wounds
  • You’re experiencing symptoms of clinical anxiety or depression
  • You’re experiencing trauma
  • You want to explore deep-rooted behavioural patterns

What is the difference between health, wellbeing and fitness?

Health means feeling good in your body, mind, and social life-not just being free from illness.

Wellbeing is about feeling good and living well. It’s influenced by your thoughts, actions, and experiences. Positive thinking and healthy habits improve wellbeing.

Fitness is about being physically strong, active, and able to handle daily activities with ease. It gives you the energy to move well, stay healthy, and enjoy life.

What is walk and talk coaching?

Walk and talk coaching provides an alternative to online or indoors coaching. The conversation and pace will be led by you and will be in a relaxed and natural environment.

It helps you feel energised, giving you space to reflect, gain perspective, and connect with nature. Walking naturally boosts your mood and focus, supporting forward movement in your personal or professional life.

Walk and talk coaching is a fresh approach to stimulate positive energy to feed your focus.

How do you coach?

My experience and training have given me the rigour to help people find focus. I (Maria Callow) offer support and encouragement to help you define and reach your goals.

Through a structured conversation that’s built on trust and partnership, I employ an array of strategies to meet your needs. From motivational interviewing to goal-setting and accountability mechanisms.

I offer coaching by phone, Zoom or in person in Kent. I also provide ‘walk and talk’ coaching. I may also provide additional resources such as articles, checklists, or models to support your thinking and actions.

Discover more about Maria Callow and our coaching services.

What qualifications and training do you have?

I (Maria Callow) have obtained marketing consultancy and coaching credentials. As a coach I am accredited by the NHS Personalised Care Institute (PCI) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMMC UK). As a professional communications consultant I am a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

How does the coaching process work?

Coaching can help you find your way to make a change to achieve your goals. Coaching helps you define your goals, develop strategies to make change last.

My (Maria Callow) coaching approach focuses on the whole person offering, warm, emotional support. I encourage self-reflection to help you gain awareness to take charge and set your own goals.

Discover more about Maria Callow and our coaching services.

What is the coaching process?

Coaching sessions can take place in person, over the phone, online, or outdoors, each lasting an agreed length of time.

Through a structured conversation that’s built on trust and partnership, I employ an array of strategies to meet your needs. From motivational interviewing to goal-setting and accountability mechanisms.

As an accredited coach I’ll (Maria Callow) work closely with you to:

  1. Clarify what you want to change
  2. Identify challenges and overcome obstacles
  3. Gain new perspectives to overcome challenges
  4. Set and achieve realistic goals
  5. Define actionable steps to achieve your goals

As your personal coach, I may also provide additional resources such as articles, checklists, or models to support your thinking and actions.

Discover more about our coaching.

What is a free discovery call?

A discovery call is a free confidential 30-minute session to identify your key challenges – we’ll aim to pinpoint what’s getting in the way of you making lasting change.

Briefly, we’ll explore how I (Maria Callow) can support you. If we both feel it’s the right fit, we will define the coaching process, clarify your goals, and establish ideal outcomes.

Book a free discovery call.

What happens after the free discovery call?

If you decide to proceed after a free discovery call, we will establish the coaching agreement, known as ‘contracting’. Coaching contracting is the initial stage where the coach and client agree on the ground rules of the coaching relationship.

What is coaching contracting?

Coaching contracting is the initial stage where the coach and client agree on the ground rules of the coaching relationship.This includes:

  • Goals of the coaching
  • Boundaries of the relationship
  • Expectations and limitations
  • How the coach and client will work together

Contracting ensures clarity and prevents misunderstandings.

How long will I need a coach for?

The length of coaching varies depending on your needs and preferences.

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