Got Questions about Time to Think Coaching, Thinking Environment Courses and Facilitation?

Coaching FAQs

Is “Time to Think” a form of coaching?

The Coaching Model of “Coaching in a Thinking Environment” is based on the principles and practice of the internationally recognised Thinking Environment ® developed by Nancy Kline. This approach is based on a view that the quality of everything we do depends on the quality of thinking we do first, and that by providing a framework for independent thinking, the thinker finds their own insights and solutions, which enables better outcomes. As an accredited Time To Think Coach, I am committed to helping you think well and independently for yourself, and not to do your thinking for you. In the presence of my generative attention, you will be encouraged to think for yourself, with courage and imagination, with rigour and grace.

How is “Time to Think” coaching different from other coaching models?

As a Time To Think Coach, my role is to help you think well and independently for yourself on whatever issue or question you bring to a Coaching session. I will not do your thinking for you.

I will offer my insights and perspectives only after you have had sufficient time to come up with your own solutions. In each session, we can revisit your goals and agree what you want to work on and achieve.

Sometimes people expect that in a coaching session, the coach will ask a series of questions. The Time To Think approach is different and I will ask you very few questions. This is because I believe that if you are given undistracted and uninterrupted time, in the presence of my generative attention, you will be able to do your own best thinking.

By creating a boundaried environment for you to think without interruption, you will be able to generate clarity and insights. The purpose of the session is to give you the opportunity to think things through, in a safe and non-judgemental environment, so that you can discover ideas and solutions that work for you.

Why choose Time to Think Coaching?

By thinking in this way, in the presence of my generative attention and incisive questioning, you will be able to think clearly and challenge obstacles that might be in your way.

Each session will be guided by what you want to think about. Free from distraction or interruption, you will find you can focus your attention on what is important for you. You’ll be able to think clearly for yourself, without feeling rushed, or directed.

By accessing your own insights and ideas, it will give you back the power to decide what’s best for you. Discovering your own answers, understanding what you want to do and what you can do, will give you the confidence and courage to bring it to reality.

I’ll offer you questions to help you explore and address what may be holding you back or blocking you from moving forward. This will give you the opportunity to think afresh, to think with courage and imagination and to make better decisions.

What’s different about thinking in the presence of a Time To Think Coach?

You may already think well for yourself and wonder what is different about thinking with a Time To Think Coach. What this coaching approach offers you is the opportunity to really think things through, and not block off options you may think aren’t possible. You will be encouraged to go to the edge of your thinking, to question and break through what might be holding you back, and to discover possibilities you may be overlooking.

We often don’t allow ourselves time to explore all our thoughts about an issue or a problem. We may interrupt or block our own thinking either by external distraction or by self-limiting thoughts or beliefs. We can limit ourselves to our initial thoughts and hold back from thinking something through fully. In a Thinking Session, my unconditional support as your thinking partner can help you think calmly and with greater confidence about the issues you’re facing. And because it comes from your own thinking, you will be more likely to take the next steps.

What is independent thinking and why does it matter in a Time To Think Coaching relationship?

By thinking for yourself without distraction, without judgement, without intervention, you will be able to think through the issue or problem and fully explore it.

As Nancy Kline has said “the brain that contains the problem usually contains the solution, and often the best one”.

I believe that when you can think for yourself without my intervention, you are more likely to reach an insight or discover answers for yourself. I also believe that by thinking things through for yourself, you are more likely to make better decisions, and then make them happen.

You may find, during a session, that as you are unravelling a problem or figuring out options, you need some information. Sometimes we need information to help us map the way forward. Thinking for yourself will help you clarify if there is information you need in order to make a decision or discover that you already have information that you hadn’t factored in or taken account of.

Can the session include Mentoring as well as Coaching?

It is possible to include a Mentoring element as part of the session, if that is something you would value. We can agree to set aside some time at the end of the session, where you can ask me questions from my experience.

By scheduling this mentoring element at the end of the session, it allows you to do your independent thinking first, to see how far you can go in your own thinking without needing any input from me. Doing your own thinking first can also help you clarify what questions you want my input on.

Is there a Code of Ethics for this type of coaching?

Yes, I am committed to a Code of Ethics and I will treat our thinking sessions with Confidentiality.

What’s a Thinking Session?

A Time To Think Coaching Session can be referred to as a Thinking Session. This approach, which is different from other forms of coaching, is based on the principles and practice of the Thinking Environment® as developed by Nancy Kline.  

In a Thinking Session, my role as Coach is to help you think well and independently for yourself. The issues and questions you bring to the coaching session are best addressed and explored by you, supported by non-judgemental attention from me.  Working in this way, with the promise of no interruption, can produce insights, clarity, new ideas and possibilities for those who commit fully to the thinking sessions.

How long does a Time To Think Coaching session last, and how many do I need?

A Thinking Session can be for 60-90 minutes, and I usually recommend committing to 3 or 4 sessions.

The sessions can be scheduled for 4-6 weeks apart, depending on the circumstances, and will be as agreed between us. The frequency and scheduling of sessions can be discussed in a Discovery Call.

How much does Time To Think Coaching cost?

My coaching fees are €400 + VAT per session. Please contact me for more details.

Where are sessions held? Can a session be held online?

The venue for sessions can be discussed with each client. One of the components that helps create a Thinking Environment is place, a place where the thinker feels they matter, and where they can be at ease and free of distraction.

It is possible to hold Thinking Sessions online. However, I aim to meet a client for at least the first session in person in order that we can create a sense of connection for the generative attention that is at the heart of this approach.

For 1-1 Coaching, do we agree the topics or issues in advance of the sessions?

Before meeting for our first session, I will invite you to consider these questions:

What do you want to achieve for yourself through these coaching/ thinking sessions?

What changes or developments will you consider to be signs of success?

We will revisit your goals at each session and agree what it is you think is most significant and relevant to work on and to achieve. My role at all times is to maintain a supportive and encouraging environment in which you can think through ideas and solutions that work for you.