KRIS BURBANK
Coaching - Consulting - Collaboration
Frequently Asked Questions
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.” In simple terms, coaching opens people up to the possibilities of their lives.
An effective coach asks questions instead of just providing answers, supports clients rather than judging them, and facilitates their development instead of dictating what has to be done.
Coaches are trained in powerful personal inquiry, adult development, and compassionate mindfulness. We've experienced the benefits of coaching in our own lives, and we're eager to share them with others. I can also share learnings and observations from my own life experiences to assist parents. However, the coaching process is always client-centered and client-driven.
Importantly, coaches do not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, or provide psychological therapeutic interventions. Unlike therapy, which addresses the client’s mental health, coaching deals with the client’s mental growth. This is an important distinction.
Why did you become a coach?
I have always been a compassionate person who enjoys helping others, and I have a particular soft spot for parents, especially those of individuals with special needs. I know about the journey. If I’ve learned anything over the past 25 years, however, it’s that what works for one person (including myself) won’t necessarily prove successful for someone else. I trained to become a coach to help clients identify what works for them, rather than simply telling them what I think they should do. And I learned a tremendous amount about myself along the way.
By combining my curiosity, concern and candor, and utilizing skills and knowledge acquired through my ongoing training, I’m able to help individuals discover more about themselves to get what they want from their own life and those of their loved ones. I am constantly learning and am particularly interested in adult development, self-care, resilience, empathy, and goal setting as tools to enhance fulfillment, including for parents of individuals with special needs.
How are you different from other coaches?
My life experience as the mother of three adult children with various strengths and challenges informs my relationships with clients. Although we all experience parenting differently, we’re all dancing to similar music. I have struggled to dance many times, especially when my kids were struggling. I use what I've learned to help clients find their music, turn up the volume and move in whatever ways best suit their circumstances and personalities. I work hard to create trust and safety with my clients, enabling them to be heard and seen in order to do the work required to create positive change. I have personally experienced the life-changing benefits of coaching and I love sharing this with others.
How will I benefit from coaching?
According to this article from the Harvard Business Review, people benefit most from coaching when they’re ready to fully engage in and commit to the process. This includes a willingness to experiment, self-reflect, explore emotions, and consider new perspectives. I provide a confidential space in which clients can undertake this work free of judgments, and I serve as a thought-partner to support and guide you on your journey. Through my coaching, I help clients become more confident and excited about their futures. This positively impacts their personal and professional lives and enables them to achieve important dreams and goals.
How much does coaching cost?
Every situation is different, and I work hard to make my services affordable to those who will benefit from them.
Please contact me to schedule a free consultation in which we can discuss my fees and approach, as well as your specific needs. We can use this conversation to determine how I’ll help you achieve your goals and to confirm that coaching is appropriate for you at this time.
