Coaching is a confidential partnership that helps you reflect, gain clarity, and take purposeful action in your work and career. It is an inquiry-based process with the coach acting as a thinking partner who supports goal setting and accountability by surfacing new awareness and insights.  

At UBC Coaching Services, coaching is offered at no cost to eligible faculty and staff.

Is coaching right for you? 

Coaching is not counselling or therapy. It is a forward-focused, inquiry-based process that supports awareness, choice, and action.

You might benefit from coaching if you are: 

• Feeling stuck or uncertain about your next steps
• Exploring leadership development
• Navigating difficult conversations, team dynamics, or workplace challenges
• Managing workload, burnout, boundaries, or work-life balance
• Building confidence, presence, or communication skills
• Stepping into a new role or navigating change

What to expect?

1. Create your profile 
2. Review available coaches and select a coach 
3. Schedule a 20-30 minute discovery call
4. Engage in up to six coaching sessions at no cost

Coaching sessions are typically scheduled every 2-3 weeks 

During coaching 

Coaching conversations are confidential. Nothing is shared outside the coaching relationship without your permission, except where required by law or UBC policy.

You can expect:

• Conversations tailored to your goals and context
• Space to reflect, explore possibilities, and clarify priorities
• Co-created actions and accountability between sessions
• A confidential, non-judgmental partnership

Who are UBC coaches? 

UBC has a diverse community of 60+ professionally certified coaches who are thoroughly screened, onboarded, and aligned with UBC’s values.

You may choose to work with:

• Internal coaches – current UBC employees who coach alongside their roles
• External coaches – certified professionals outside UBC who volunteer their time

All UBC coaches:

• Hold recognized professional coaching certifications
• Commit to ethical, client-centered practice
• Work with a limited number of clients each year

You are encouraged to choose the coach who feels like the best fit for your goals.

Cost and eligibility 

• Coaching is free for active, regular UBC faculty and staff
• This covers one engagement (six sessions) per year
• If you complete six sessions within a year, you may:
       - Begin a new free engagement with a different coach after one year
       - Continue with the same coach on a fee-for-service basis subject to the coach’s private rates and availability

Testimonials 

• “Working with a coach really enabled me to step back, see the bigger picture and see my potential. I was able to discuss difficult decisions, brainstorm solutions/idea and actually pace through some action plans.”
       - Kayla Cartlidge, Program Manager Entrepreneurship, Vice Principal of Research and Innovation, UBCO | February 2025 
• “UBC Coaching Services provided me a much-needed avenue to mindfully set aside time for reflection and planning. I got a lot out of our meetings, walked away with tools, and new confidence.”
       - Liana, Director, VP Academic | January 2025 

Questions?

Please reach out to Coaching Services via email at coaching@hr.ubc.ca if you have any questions.