What is creative coaching? Is creative coaching right for me? What can I expect in a coaching session? Here are just some of the questions creatives ask.
What exactly is creative coaching and how is it different from life coaching?
Creative coaching, coaching for creatives, creativity coaching- many ways of describing a type of coaching designed for people whose work depends on self expression - ideas, judgement, taste and confidence. Or put another way a style of coaching that deals with the blockages and limiting beliefs that get in the way of enjoying creatively fulfilling success. Unlike a general life coach, you would expect a coach working in this field to have a creative/craft background (writing, art, design, photography, performance) and / or experience of managing a creative business. (I tick both boxes.) In essence a good creative coach should understand:
What it means to make a living from your thinking
The emotional weight of creative responsibility
The realities of roles in creative industries - particularly the challenges at a senior level
I come to this work as a writer, former Creative Director and company founder. I’ve done the work, led the teams, carried the doubt — and I know how easily confidence erodes when experience stops being rewarded in obvious ways. Creative coaching isn’t about fixing you. It’s about helping you use your experience properly.
How do I know if coaching is actually worth the investment at this stage of my career?
Coaching is an investment — financially and emotionally — so scepticism is healthy, but the real question isn’t, ‘is coaching worth it?’ but ‘am I clear what I want to change?’ Consider this, if you are
Successful on paper but quietly frustrated
Losing confidence despite years of experience
Questioning your relevance or direction
Tired of second-guessing yourself
…then coaching can be a fast, focused way to regain clarity and control.
A good coach won’t promise transformation overnight. They’ll help you think better, see more clearly, and act with intention. And they’ll be happy to talk it through before you commit.
What coaching techniques do you use to help creatives to manage self-doubt and loss of confidence?
We start by peeling off some layers and putting a spotlight on the real scenarios where you experience these feelings. We explore in 2 ways - consciously and unconsciously. With this insight I can be more precise in recommending exercises that are tuned into your learning style in a very nuanced ways. A lifetime of experience working with creatives has given me solid foundation of practical insight, it’s also prepared me to never assume. Everyone is different so there is no one size fits all programme or neat methodology. I respond to you and only you. In many instances it means holding back on lots of clever sounding stuff in favour of basic actions. We might experiment. We might take a visually led approach. Just trust the process and me.
Am I coachable?
Top question. In all honesty not everyone is, or more to the point, ready. To be coachable you need to be curious and open to new ideas. You have to be ready to let go of things you have come to believe about yourself. All of this requires courage and patience. For this reason alone it’s important you have a clear idea of what it is you want to change, or achieve. Let’s call this a goal. So what does a good goal look like? Well first up it shouldn’t feel like a cliche. You have to own it and make it feel ‘yours’. Make it ambitious, but realistic and attainable. The average coaching journey last around 2 months, so think carefully about where you want to be in that timeframe? How much time do you have to really invest in this journey? A coach will help you find clarity, but it’s you that will have to do the leg work. Don’t shy away from ideas that may scare you a little - change is not always a comfortable transition. Equally, it’s not unusual for goals to shift. As you progress you may find your priorities change and your goal becomes even clearer.
The bottom line is if you really want something and are prepared to adjust thoughts and feelings - you are coachable.
How do I choose the right coach — and what should I be wary of?
No short cut to this, do your due diligence, look at who is out there - who really speaks to you? Certification alone doesn’t mean much — courses can last days. Accreditation matters more. It means the coach has met recognised professional standards. (I’m accredited.)
But beyond credentials, pay attention to:
How the coach talks to you
Whether they listen or perform
If you feel subtly sold to or genuinely heard
A chemistry (or discovery) call should feel like a conversation, not a pitch and should be free - simply to decide if there is good chemistry (and it works both ways). If you come away feeling patronised, pressured, or oddly diminished — trust that instinct. The right coach will make you feel:
Respected
Curious
Slightly challenged
Quietly energised
What coaching styles are there — and how do I know what suits me?
Every coach works differently. At one end of the spectrum are coaches whose work feels closer to therapy — reflective, passive, talk-led. At the other end are coaches who act more like mentors or advisors — challenging thinking, encouraging action. My style sits closer to the mentor end.. You can expect:
Direct questions
Honest challenge
Space to think
A focus on movement, not endless analysis
That said, empathy matters. Coaching should feel safe and purposeful.
What actually happens in a coaching session?
Expect to be asked questions you haven’t been asked before.
Some will stop you in your tracks.
Some may feel uncomfortable.
Some will land days later.
Silence is part of the process. A good coach won’t rush to fill it.
Emotion can surface too — not because coaching is therapy, but because thinking honestly often releases what’s been held down.
This isn’t something you get from books or podcasts. It’s the power of focused, non-judgemental attention.
Is coaching a form of therapy?
No. Coaching works in the present and looks forward.
We may reflect on the past to understand patterns - what has worked in the past, what hasn’t, but coaching does not deal with trauma or clinical issues. There should also be no dependency. A good coaching relationship builds self-trust, not reliance.
How many sessions will I need?
Coaching isn’t about dragging things out. The real commitment isn’t the session time — it’s your willingness to engage honestly and follow through. Coaching works best when you show up fully.
Look at the programmes a coach has to offer. Do they feel flexible enough to accommodate your unique challenges? Typically people invest in at least six 1-hour sessions. Plus at least 3 hours per week to focus on homework between sessions. I mention homework as it’s important to factor this into your availability. Be honest about the time you have to really focus on your journey, it will impact on reaching your goal.
Where are coaching sessions held?
99% of my clients prefer to engage online from the comfort of their own personal space. But I am always open to meeting in the real - providing travel and space work for both of us.
How much does creative coaching cost?
Rates do vary considerably and don’t always align with years of experience, but realistically expect to pay anything between £95 and £200 per session.
I like to keep things simple. My hourly rate is £150. So 6 sessions = £900. There is also the option to include The Collage Coaching Technique™ in your program which is a longer 3 hour session and costs £280.
What should I expect from you as a coach?
That’s a good question to ask any coach, but as you’re here, these are the eight things I pledge to my clients >>>
Professionalism, integrity and commitment. Sounds obvious but needs to be said
I will continually motivate and inspire. (I will only ever be an email away between sessions.)
I will challenge and support you in equal measure
I am invested in finding the most creative ways forward
I will hold the space when things feel uncertain
I am a virtual hand to hold (& when appropriate, a gentle nudge)
I am unconditionally committed to your success
No platitudes. No icky hype. Just thoughtful purposeful work
Am I the coach for you?
Check out my new mini series THE DEEP STUFF for answers to the questions about confidence and relevance that senior creatives ask