FAQs

I’ve put together a list of FAQ to help you with your research and understanding. If you can’t see what you need to know here, then drop me a line or book a free coaching consultation.

 

Is coaching right for me?

  • Do any of these questions chime with you...

    • Are you a socially responsible entrepreneur seeking clarity on what comes next?

    • Do you need someone who really gets where you're coming from - a trusted, non-judgemental sounding board to bounce thoughts and ideas around with?

    • Do you feel people think you're doing brilliantly, but inside there's a different story?

    • Are you ready to make changes but feeling stuck in a loop of 'there must be more to life than this'?

    • Are you wondering what this 'living your best possible life' thing is actually about - especially when you're already trying to make a positive impact?

    If you're nodding along, then coaching is for you!

  • The only time I would say coaching is not right, is if you don't really want to change, develop or improve, and you are not ready to be reflective and honest with yourself… But I doubt you'd have made it to reading this if that was you. The coaching industry is currently in a phase of significant growth, as we humans start to focus on inner growth and the impact it can have on an individual level, but also more broadly on those around us, society, corporations, organisations and how we spend our time and resources on this planet... Give it a go and discover how truly transformational and rewarding it can be!

  • No. In general the focus of coaching sessions is the present and the future. It is about goal setting and future actions. We may sometimes need to reference the past to help understand the current situation, but the goal is to move forward and change. We don't spend significant time on what has been.

    Therapy is working with a specialist healthcare professional on past experiences and traumas and significant time may be spent on processing and coping with these historical experiences. It may be that during our coaching conversation past experiences or traumas arise that you would benefit from working with a therapist on. If that happens we can talk about this and you might go on to seek support through therapy. However, as coaching is forward facing and change focused, it might be that you don't feel you need to seek therapeutic support if you are happy with how your life is going right now.

Understanding coaching

  • Coaching for socially responsible entrepreneurs recognises that your personal wellbeing and business success are deeply interconnected. When you're trying to create positive change in the world, the traditional boundaries between 'life' and 'business' coaching don't really apply (but that doesn’t mean you don’t need boundaries!).

    You might start a session wanting to discuss how to be more impactful with your team, but we'll quickly find ourselves talking about your own self-care, balance, and sustainability - because these are all connected. Your ability to lead authentically, make clear decisions, and maintain your energy for the long haul directly impacts your business's ability to create the change you're passionate about.

    I work with you over a structured programme of sessions (6, 16, or 30 sessions depending on your goals), either online or through walking coaching. We use questioning, exercises, and practical tools to help you gain clarity on your goals and create achievable steps forward. The process is built on the belief that you have the right answers - you might just need support in finding them.

    More details of my coaching programmes can be found here.

  • NLP stands for Neuro-Linguistic Programming, it can be thought of as programming or behaviour changing for the brain (your neurology) using words and sometimes actions.

    NLP is a framework to understand why people act and behave in the way they do and through understanding this, support change. It takes into account how we process information through our senses and how different people have different preferences for processing information. It also recognises the role of the conscious and subconscious in habits and behaviours and provides a range of strategies for behavioural change.

    It is a tool used in various scenarios including coaching and personal development. I trained as an NLP practitioner initially from a business perspective, to use in a challenging leadership role I was in, and it really helped! It gave me a whole new tool kit to work with and instigated a shift in my consciousness about how I could change my thinking and behaviours to achieve my goals. My NLP practitioner training was the beginning of me becoming much more conscious of how much coaching I already did and how it was one of the most rewarding parts of my life. I have since used the principles of NLP across all aspects of my life from my own personal and professional development, to helping achieve positive change in coaching scenarios.

 

My approach

  • Straight talking, pragmatic, warm, patient, honest, caring, focused and understanding. I like to bring in as much humor as we can to sessions, a little laugher can go a long way. Don't think this means I don't take the process exceptionally seriously, I really do, but a personal life philosophy is if we can travel some of the way a little more lightly, then let's do that!

    Want to know more? Check my about page here.

  • Nope. Despite being highly creative I'm fundamentally a very pragmatic individual. I'm the daughter of an engineer, who is the son of an engineer, I spent a lot of my childhood hanging out with my logical Dad and his systems based scientific approach to all situations is deeply embedded in my psyche. I like logic, show me the workings and evidence in a convincing way or I'm not going to move past sceptical. I come at coaching and NLP through an interest in Neuroscience, the human brain and how it works, not woowoo. I fully acknowledge that we still have a lot to learn about neuroscience, there is much unchartered territory. Sometimes we need science to catch up an explain something we can see or experience, but that is as near as you'll get me to woowoo!

  • Yes. We need what we talk about to be confidential to help us build up a positive rapport and trust.

    There are two situations where I cannot keep confidentially

    1) You have lead me to believe you are at risk of significant self harm e.g. suicidal. In this situation I will seek your permission to access professional help.

    2) In relation to the law.

  • Yes, we sometimes agree on homework outside of the session. It's ok, I don't mark it and it doesn't get a grade! Sometimes some of the most useful work happens outside of our sessions, when you have had time to reflect and digest, or do further thinking.

    Any homework will be around exercises or actions that support progress with your goals and should be the kind of homework that makes you go ah-ha! Not oh-no!

  • No. Coaching is a collaborative relationship. Goals, targets, actions all come from you. The coach doesn't tell you what to do.

    Sometimes you might set yourself tough stuff to think about or do. I will guide you to trust your gut or instincts on this, make sure you keep checking in with yourself and that these are the right things for you to get the growth you seek. If you set yourself tough stuff to do, but there is resistance and you don't do it, then this is an interesting discovery. We look into why this occurred and we use the insights this has given us to set new actions.

 

Walking Coaching

  • Walking coaching combines the benefits of traditional coaching with the proven wellbeing effects of being in nature. We hold our coaching conversation whilst walking gentle routes through forests, across beaches, along quiet country lanes, and through little villages.

    These aren't fitness hikes - they're thoughtful wanders where we pause to capture key insights, sometimes stopping to sit on a log or bench, or simply standing to take in a view. The rhythm of walking naturally calms the mind, helping you think more clearly and find solutions.

    The routes are usually 3-5 kilometres and take between an hour to an hour and 20 minutes. I adapt the distance and terrain to your fitness level and mobility needs.

  • Not at all. We walk at a conversational pace on easier terrain so we can focus on our discussion rather than every step. If you have mobility considerations, we can choose shorter, flatter routes that work for you.

  • Sturdy waterproof footwear and a waterproof jacket (we walk in all weathers). I walk with a stick due to knee damage and can lend you one if you'd like to try it.

  • Well behaved dogs are very welcome on the walking coaching sessions. Please let me know in advance if you want to bring one along.

  • There's something about stepping into nature that helps worries dissolve. The combination of movement, fresh air, and open spaces is scientifically proven to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. We're hardwired to feel at home walking through natural spaces - it's only in the last blink of human history that we've spent most of our time seated in built environments.

 

Can you work with…?

  • Yes. I offer bespoke coaching packages for organisations including business coaching, talks and workshops. Drop me a line and we can arrange to talk about your needs.

  • Yes. I offer a number of tailor-made talks and group workshops. Contact me for a chat about your organisation or business’ needs. I can run sessions on lots of coaching related themes including on authenticity, values, purpose, creativity, thinking traps, mindfulness, intuition, write your next chapter, using coaching in the workplace, walking and talking, time management, health and wellbeing in the workplace and listening to yourself.

 

Credentials and experience

  • Core coaching credentials

    • ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) - International Coaching Federation

    • Diploma in Transformational Coaching - Animas Coaching (ICF and Association for Coaching accredited)

    • NLP Practitioner - The NLP School, London

    Specialist training

    • Mental Health Coaching - Lyra Health (ICF CCE certified)

    • Leadership and Management - ILM Level 5 Award

    Education background

    • PGCE Art & Design - Institute of Education, London

    • PGDip Electronic Imaging - Duncan of Jordanstone / Dundee University

    • BA (Hons) Fine Art - Glasgow School of Art

    Want to know more about my background and approach? Check my about page here.

 

Practical details

  • Most clients work with me over a series of sessions. Typically starting with 6 sessions depending on your goals and what package works best for you.

    Sessions are usually 45-60 minutes and are conducted online via video call (unless a walking package)

    We start with a clear conversation about what you want to achieve, and each session builds on the previous one whilst being flexible enough to respond to what's most important for you in the moment.

    More details about my packages here

  • This depends on your preference, what works best for your goals and the package you are on. Most clients find it is good to have the first few sessions quite close to each other e.g. weekly. Then as you build up momentum and have things to experiment with and reflect on between sessions it can be helpful to move to fortnightly or greater gaps than that.

  • Yes, talk to me about what you need and we can negotiate a plan that works for you.

  • If you have worked with me and found it beneficial and gone on to refer my coaching to someone else, that is really fantastic! It is some of the best feedback I get and makes me super happy to have had that impact. Ask the person you have recommended me to, to mention the referral when they book their first session and I’ll be in touch with a little thank you offer for you.

  • Details of my current packages and pricing can be found on my services page. I offer different options to suit various needs and budgets.

  • Yes, talk to me about what you need and we can negotiate a plan that works for you.

  • For individual coaching sessions, you can cancel up to 48 hours before the session for a full refund or reschedule.

    Within 48 hours of the session, I'm unable to offer a refund as I can't use that time for another client, though we may be able to negotiate a reschedule or format change depending on your situation.

    For workshop and group sessions, no refunds are available once booked due to limited places and resource commitments, though you can transfer your booking to someone else up to 48 hours beforehand.

    Full details of my cancellation policy can be found in my terms and conditions.

 

Getting started

  • The best way to find out is to have a conversation. That's why I offer a free 30-minute consultation call where we can explore your goals, I can explain how I work, and we can both get a sense of whether we're a good match.

  • Start with booking your free 30 minute consultation call with me. We'll use this time to explore your goals and discuss how coaching might support you. There's no pressure - it's simply a chance for us both to see if working together feels right.

    Please note: if you book a consultation call and don't attend without giving notice, I'll need to charge for the reserved time.

 

Other information

  • I am interested in supporting positive causes. As a coach this sometimes means donating time (like to the Coachathon) or discounting my services in particular situations. If you work for a not for profit / charitable organisation that has a direct positive impact on the environment or in a social context, talk to me about your work. I may be able to offer a discounted quote to your organisation.

  • Each October or November I am proud to take part in the annual Coachathon where all my coaching session fees go directly to the MicroloanFoundation a charity supporting female entrepreneurs in SubSaharan Africa. A cause close to my heart as a female entrepreneur!

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