FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs

How do I know if coaching is right for me?

Coaching is a wonderful option for individuals hoping to improve something in their life circumstances, and/or striving for personal growth.

Coaching affords the opportunity to look at what creates meaning in one’s life. Coaching invites individuals to clarify their most important values and to live a life that fits with those values. Coaching invites individuals to explore their personal traits and strengths and to fine-tune their use of those strengths.

Most of all, coaching helps individuals discover and value their best self, and live the life that is in accordance with their best self.

What happens in a coaching session?

Coaching sessions are focused and goal-oriented. Most will address a focus or concern chosen by the client. As a coach, I help you clarify the focus for the meeting and help you define expected outcomes for our coaching conversation.

In the latter part of the meeting, we will choose the “homework” to be done between meetings. This homework allows clients to bring their goals to fruition by acting on decisions made during coaching meetings. As a coach, I help you to make clear commitments to goal-oriented actions. I also help you to hold yourself accountable to your commitments. We will also summarize the important parts of the meeting, including the most central “takeaways.”

How long is each session?

Coaching sessions are typically one hour in length.

How often will we meet?

Sessions occur every one to two weeks early in the coaching work. As the work matures, it is common to meet less often over time.

How long will I participate in coaching?

There is a wide range of duration, most typically between 10 and 20 sessions. Once the main coaching work is completed, many clients choose to meet once every month, to check in and maintain their progress.

Are meetings in person or virtual?

Coaching meetings are online. Occasionally, clients choose to have phone meetings. Most of my clients are not local to the Toronto area. For those who are local, they find that virtual meetings save them a great deal of time in commuting to the coach’s office.

Is coaching confidential?

Coaching is 100% confidential. The exception would be in the case of extremely rare serious emergencies.

Can I take part in coaching if I have mental health issues or if I’m currently in therapy?

While coaching differs from therapy, there can be overlap in the kinds of goals worked on. My years of experience as a cognitive behaviour therapist affords me a variety of helpful tools and techniques. Given my background as a psychiatrist, I do work readily with clients who have mental health issues.

Is coaching covered by provincial health care?

Coaching is not considered a medical treatment and is therefore not covered by provincial health care programs. Some employee benefit plans will compensate for coaching.

Can I claim coaching as a business expense?

Depending on the circumstances, career coaching may be eligible as a business expense for tax purposes. This would have to be verified by an accountant.

By focusing on concrete strategies and actions in a very compassionate and non-judgmental way, Dr. Erlich’s coaching was instrumental in helping me to move closer to the person I want to be both professionally and personally. After three years of working with Dr. Erlich, I am more confident, assertive, and honest with myself and those around me. This has helped me to be a better doctor, friend and family member.

Dr. M.

Hospitalist

This was my first experience with coaching. Murray astutely guided me towards a better understanding of my authentic self and what makes me tick. He helped me identify certain thought patterns that were limiting me and creating unhappiness in my work life. He encouraged me to implement actionable steps and armed me with the tools I needed to bring my dreams to fruition. Working with Murray has been transformational!

Sherri F.

Family Medicine

FAQ