25 discovery questions for a new client's first session
A library of 25 discovery questions, grouped into five categories, designed to surface what actually matters before a first coaching session: real motivation, honest obstacles, working style, and genuine commitment — not just surface-level goals. Free download, no signup required.
Background & context
- "What brought you to coaching right now, specifically?"
- "What have you already tried, and what happened?"
- "What does a typical week actually look like for you?"
Full set of 25 (5 per category) in the downloadable version.
Goals & outcomes
- "If this is a complete success, what's different in 90 days?"
- "What would make you feel this was a waste of time?"
- "Is this goal actually yours, or something you feel you 'should' want?"
Full set of 25 (5 per category) in the downloadable version.
Obstacles & patterns
- "What's the real reason you haven't solved this yourself already?"
- "What tends to derail you when you're making progress?"
- "Is there a pattern you're worried might repeat here?"
Full set of 25 (5 per category) in the downloadable version.
Working style & preferences
- "Do you do better with structure, or room to figure it out yourself?"
- "How do you want to be held accountable?"
- "How much time can you realistically commit between sessions?"
Full set of 25 (5 per category) in the downloadable version.
Success metrics & commitment
- "How will you know a session went well, without me telling you?"
- "What would you need to see in month one to trust this process?"
- "What are you willing to give up to make room for this?"
Full set of 25 (5 per category) in the downloadable version.
Save a client's discovery answers straight into their profile — no separate intake doc to lose track of.
Built for every kind of 1:1 coaching practice
This discovery question library works the same way regardless of your niche — the math is identical whether you run a life coaching practice, a business coaching practice, or a personal training business. Jump to your specific practice type below to see what CoachevaOS pre-loads for it:
Frequently asked questions
No — pick 6-8 that fit your niche and the time you have. Asking all 25 in one sitting turns a discovery conversation into an interrogation.
They're written to be niche-agnostic — the same questions surface real motivation and obstacles whether you're a life coach, business coach, health coach, or executive coach. Adapt the phrasing to your own voice.