FAQs

What is coaching?

I’m not going to ‘teach’ you how to have a better life. Our conversations will enable you to explore and embrace choices that lead to whatever ‘better’ looks like - for you, uniquely. 

You might be asking yourself, why would I go to a coach when I have lots of people around me that I could ask for advice?

The thing is, when you get advice from friends, family, colleagues, it isn’t impartial. Even when those people have your best interests at heart. But deep down, only YOU know what you really want.

Coaching is a conversation where you’re truly heard. It’s about helping you to find your own answers. Together we’ll explore all of the options and find one that fits best, feels most comfortable and ultimately moves you closer to where you want to be.

First and foremost, coaching will help you understand yourself more fully, since this is where all change starts.

What type of coach are you?

I’ll be honest, the term ‘life coach’ makes me feel a bit icky too. I call myself a ‘personal development coach’ as we’ll be focused on you, as a person, and what makes you tick.

Everything in our lives is connected – where and how we live and work, our personal life, our health, our financial situation - and it’s all a delicate balance. When one aspect feels off, it impacts on the others.

My training is in Transformational Coaching - a powerful style that aims to go deeper. So rather than just focusing on actions, transformational coaching helps you to explore your underlying assumptions, beliefs, values, expectations, and attitudes.

As a personal coach, I help you explore all of this, so you can see things more clearly. And ultimately, the You Do You approach is all about ditching any of those pesky unhelpful expectations and beliefs, so you can be more ‘you’.

What kind of people do you work with?

I work with people who have acknowledged that something needs to change. They’ve been on auto pilot for too long, and now they want ‘more’. Or something has already changed in their life, and now they need to re-evaluate.

They’re pretty self-aware already, but they’re keen to explore further with someone who ‘gets it’ - and are ready to dive in, one-to-one.

I’m not sure if I can justify the time / cost?

You might be asking yourself, why would I make a financial investment in coaching?

OK, here’s the thing. What’s the cost of NOT doing anything?

Well, you can keep on distracting yourself with more ‘stuff’ – scrolling on social media, retail therapy, or wishing your life away until the next holiday. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of Instagram, I still treat myself every now and again, and I’m always saving for the next big trip.

But in the course of your life, truly investing in yourself for a few weeks or months is just a blink. If you give yourself permission to take that tiny amount of time and see what you’re capable of, not only will you be amazed at what you can accomplish personally and professionally, you’ll emerge with the perspective and energy to do the things you truly want to do.

Not only that, you’ll have the ability to weather the ups and downs of life with much more resilience and compassion. How valuable is that?

What qualifications do you have?

I have a Diploma in Transformational Coaching from Animas Centre for Coaching. The course is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), which is the governing body for the coaching profession. I have completed 123 Approved Coach Specific Training Hours including supervised coaching sessions to test my competency. Plus I’m a trained Mental Health First Aider (MHFA England).

Since qualifying in 2020, I have worked 1:1 with private clients, coached and mentored school children and young professional apprentices, and managed ‘lived experience’ projects with a mental health charity.

I also have a degree in Media & Cultural Studies, plus 25 years’ experience in advertising and marketing, working for businesses of all sizes.