Frequently Asked Questions
Coaching Certification
What does “certified” mean?
The coaching industry is not legally regulated in the way that medical psychology is, but coaches still have a responsibility with clients’ mental and emotional wellbeing throughout their coaching engagement. ICF continues to offer the most globally recognized, independent credentialing program for coach practitioners. ICF Credentials are awarded to professional coaches who have met stringent education and experience requirements and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the profession. Achieving credentials through ICF signifies a coach’s commitment to integrity, understanding and mastery of coaching skills, and dedication to clients.
Read more on my CERTIFICATION page!
What is the ICF?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization for coaches and coaching. ICF is dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals.
ICF also accredits programs that deliver coaching education. ICF-accredited education organizations must complete a rigorous review process and demonstrate that their curriculum aligns with the ICF Core Competencies and Code of Ethics.
Why did you choose to get certified?
I did my coaching training program at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and got certified so I could learn how to coach ethically and responsibly. I chose to pursue the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) so that I could coach confidently with the education and experience that every Master Coach started with. In the same way you’d want a trainer to know how to strengthen and not injure your body, I learned tools and strategies to process your experiences into higher states of consciousness and not injure your heart or mind.
Are you still pursuing other certifications?
Hell yea I am! I’m currently pursuing a CORE Dynamics Specialization Certification in Performance Dynamics and Health & Wellbeing through iPEC. And hypnotherapy certification is in the works… 😉
How Coaching is Different
How is coaching different from therapy?
Coaching is a cognitive wellness approach, and although coaching recognizes, acknowledges, faces, and disempowers core feelings of inadequacy, coaching doesn’t process major incidents from the past, how the problem began, or how the pattern has repeated itself while growing up. Coaching and therapy are incredibly compatible when used together. Therapy helps us understand why and how we got to our current state, while coaching works with clients to determine the next steps now that they are aware. Coaching takes what you work through in therapy and applies it to your goal and your plan to get there. Work with a therapist when you can’t process past traumas or need to discuss a specific mental diagnosis, and then work with a coach to use it to grow. A therapist is going to help you look at why and how you got here, and a coach is going to help you move towards where you’re going now that you’re aware.
When do you refer a client to therapy?
When a client has issues with active addiction and unaddressed mental illness, or when a client’s issue is interfering with their daily functioning, I will refer them to therapy. An example of a functional state of the client is not running before work because they can’t get out of bed. A dysfunctional state of the client is being on the verge of losing their job because they can’t get out of bed.
How is coaching different from consulting?
Consultants use specialized knowledge to bring an agenda and help answer clients’ questions on their area of expertise. Sydney’s Consulting packages (available for event marketing and communication) will include a developed plan personalized for each client, but as a coach she will partner with clients to implement a plan you develop together.
What is iPEC and the Core Energy Coaching Process?
The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) is an ICF accredited coach training program that teaches the Core Energy Coaching Process, which helps bring out the potential in a client by emotionally connecting their inner purpose and passion to outer goals and strategies to create extraordinarily sustainable results, consciously connecting with their core thoughts and emotions to shift actions and behaviors for positive change.
Scheduling Coaching Sessions
How do I book a coaching session?
At sydneyfong.com you'll find a user-friendly scheduling system. There, you can pick the service you're interested in and choose a time that works for you from Sydney's available slots. If you need a specific date or time, feel free to drop an email at hi@sydneyfong.com - or at the contact form here.
How do virtual coaching sessions work?
Our virtual sessions are typically on Zoom, but if you're more comfortable with something else like FaceTime or a good old phone call, just let Sydney know in advance.
How do in-person coaching sessions work?
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and we’ll work out the details of where to meet up. Coaching One Offs and Energy Assessments (Solo + Group) are only available on the dates and in the cities in the listed Tour Dates. VIP Days are available anywhere in the United States of America unless Tour Dates indicate that Sydney is abroad and only available in that country.
What should I prepare for the technical side of things?
For a smooth session, just make sure you're set up with a charged device, the right software and a stable internet connection. AirPods or other headphones with a microphone are helpful, but not required.
Confidentiality + Security
How do we handle confidentiality in our coaching sessions?
Your privacy and trust are paramount! In our coaching relationship, we strictly adhere to the ICF Code of Ethics. This means we keep all your information, whether it's something you've shared in sessions or written down, completely confidential. We won't share any of your details without your written consent.
Are there any exceptions to this confidentiality?
Generally, what's shared in coaching stays in coaching. However, there are a few exceptions like information that's already known to us, publicly available, comes from another source, or if we develop it independently. Also, if there's a legal requirement, we may need to disclose certain information. But don't worry, we always follow the highest legal and ethical standards to protect your privacy.
Will you sign NDAs?
We insist!
What about data protection and privacy?
We take the security of your personal and session-related data very seriously. Our Data Protection and Privacy Clause in the coaching contract outlines how we safeguard your information. Rest assured, we have strong measures in place to keep your data safe and secure.
What security and data protection measures are in place for session notes and virtual coaching sessions?
Session notes are documented using software compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and ISO 27001 standards, ensuring high levels of data security and privacy. This software employs tailored encryption protocols for each session and stores records in a secure client profile certified by HITRUST. For virtual sessions, platforms adhering to the HIPAA Minimum Necessary Standard are used, guaranteeing the utmost confidentiality and security in our communications. The Coach is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of privacy and data protection in all aspects of the coaching process.
Session Rescheduling and Cancellation Guidelines
How can I reschedule or cancel a coaching session?
We understand that plans can change, so if you need to reschedule or cancel a session, just let us know at least 24 hours in advance. This helps us manage our schedules better and ensures we can accommodate your needs effectively.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of my session?
We appreciate early notices, but if you can't give a 24-hour heads-up due to unforeseen circumstances, there might be a small $50 fee for late rescheduling or no-shows. This is to maintain fairness for all clients and the Coach's schedule.
What if I have an emergency and can't notify in time?
Your well-being is important to us! In emergencies, we'll do our best to reschedule without any additional charges. We handle these situations with care and understanding, on a case-by-case basis.
How will I be billed for late rescheduling or no-show fees?
If such a fee arises, we'll send an invoice to the contact in your client contract.
3-Month Package Coaching Session Changes and Refunds
Can I know how to change or end our coaching agreement?
Absolutely! Both you and your coach have the flexibility to end the coaching agreement whenever needed. Just a small heads-up: we kindly ask for a written notice at least two weeks in advance. This way, we can manage the changes smoothly.
What if I need to stop the sessions earlier than planned?
Life happens, and we completely understand. If you need to end the sessions early, you'll get a refund for any sessions you haven't attended. We'll calculate your refund at $150 for each of these sessions.
What happens with refunds if my coach has to end the agreement?
In the rare case your coach needs to end the agreement, they will take care of refunding you for any sessions that couldn't happen. The refund amount will correspond to the number of sessions that didn't take place during our agreed term.
How will I receive my refund?
We aim to process your refund swiftly and hassle-free after receiving the termination notice. Typically, we'll use the same payment method you initially chose, unless you prefer a different one. We're here to make this as easy as possible for you!
Music Performance Anxiety
What is Music Performance Anxiety?
Music Performance Anxiety encompasses a set of cognitive, physiological, and behavioral symptoms that impact the population of musicians when exposed to public musical performance. According to the World Health Organization, it can have significant effects on the mental health of the person suffering from it.
The prevalence of MPA among training or professional musicians is alarmingly high. Dalia indicates that between 60 and 80% of professional musicians suffer from its debilitating forms. Additional data on the subject are equally worrying. Lledó-Valor noted in their research that 95% of participants experienced stage anxiety during live performances. In their study involving 570 musicians and 60 teachers aged between 10 and 54, Ballester found that 1 in 3 musicians suffers from MPA. Moreover, 20% of students who choose to leave their musical careers do so because of this issue.
Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) occurs in response to perceived threat and manifests physiologically, cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally, ranging in intensity from normal stress intrinsic to performance to extreme levels of terror. MPA does not occur in isolation but interacts with stressors associated with a highly demanding, competitive and insecure work environment as well as numerous personality traits, including perfectionism, trait anxiety, cognitive style and coping style.
MPA is largely researched through a pathological lens and described using medicalized language: ‘condition’, ‘syndrome’, ‘disabling’, ‘illness’, ‘disease’, and ‘disorder’, requiring ‘treatment’.
An alternative approach posits that MPA is facilitative and enhances performance by generating extra vitality, excitement, alertness, focus and spontaneity.
MPA affects numerous musicians across all ages, nationalities and musical genres. It occurs in response to threat and manifests in physiological, cognitive, emotional and behavioral ‘symptoms’ which can negatively affect performer and/or performance. It co-varies with a wide range of maladaptive personality traits as well as situational stressors associated with the performance context and is clustered diagnostically within the anxiety disorders landscape. MPA is widely considered to be a significant occupational hazard, and musicians use a range of coping strategies to manage it, many of which are ineffective and/or unhealthy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10525579/#:~:text=Lledó-Valor