Traditional Performance Coaching is generally focused around working towards concrete goals in a particular area (for example in the workplace) and how a coach can support a client in achieving them.

This approach seldom has the space to take in the whole person, their emotional world, their past successes or frustrations, their somatic as well as psychological processes. I believe this is essential in order for the client to make connections, find clarity and create lasting and fulfilling change in their lives. After all, sometimes we don't know where we're heading until we realise where we are now. And sometimes it's difficult to move forward until we work through what's keeping us stuck.

I use the word "holistic" to not only encompass this comprehensive approach with clients, but also the different of modalities I draw on in our work together.

Coaches and therapists often study similar theories whilst they’re training, and there are certain areas where the same reflective, exploratory ground is covered.

However, there are still clear distinctions between coaching and therapy. Coaching is generally more “forward focused” and intends to help the client achieve a certain outcome or goal. That could be making a transition, getting unstuck or improving their public speaking performance.

Just as in coaching, a psychotherapist or counsellor cannot do the work for you, but they are specially trained to offer emotional support in a way a coach is not. This could be around trauma, bereavement or mental health issues such as depression, for example.

Although I am an experienced and accredited coach, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner and Mental Health First Aider, I am not a qualified mental health professional. This doesn’t mean that our sessions won’t help with deeper stuff; indeed, they could be highly beneficial to your journey and in this way it is always worth trying coaching as part of a treatment programme (if applicable).

Coaching and EFT can complement counselling and psychotherapy and vice versa, but it’s important the timing is right and that your therapist (if you're currently in therapy) is aware of your intention to work with me.

A common misconception about coaching is that a coach is a guru-type figure who gives advice to their clients, often based on their own life - or career - experience.

Whilst this can be incredibly valuable, this is not coaching; it’s mentoring.

To be fair, with all the cross overs between mentoring, personal training (confusingly also referred to as coaching), and teaching it’s understandable that there is some confusion about what coaching actually is.

Coaching is about helping people understand their own thought processes and behaviours, giving them the space to reflect on how they might use their innate resources to create positive change in their lives. The coach is there to facilitate this journey, to provide accountability and be a motivational presence. But it’s important the client get there (wherever “there” is) themselves. This is more likely to lead to long lasting and satisfying results for them.

Sessions are strictly confidential except in very rare circumstances. For example, if I were to become aware of a client’s intent to seriously harm someone else or themselves, or a client gave me written permission to break confidentiality, or as required by law.

The short answer is, no not at all.

The longer answer...

Even though performance coaching might sound like it is only for actors, singers and speakers, performance comes into every part of our lives. That could be a presentation at work, a job interview, delivering a speech at your best friend’s wedding, or even just day-to-day relationships with people on the stage of your life. We all have audiences we'd like to connect to, whether personally or professionally, whether or not those audiences are in a theatre, on Instagram, in a boardroom or in the local pub. So if there is something stopping you from turning up as fully as you'd like, and you're interested in finding out more about working with me, do get in touch.

I offer 1-1 sessions online (via Zoom) but I occasionally run in-person workshops. You might like to sign up to my email list if you'd be interested in finding out more about that.

Sessions are conversation-based. I’ll provide you with a supportive, non-judgemental and collaborative space to explore your situation. I’ll ask questions and sometimes make observations in response, either to clarify or to inspire deeper reflection. In each session, we’ll agree on an area you’d like to focus on and also discuss action points to take into the next.

I will occasionally suggest resources around mindset, and somatic tools such as EFT/Tapping or breathwork, if appropriate to the work you bring.

Sessions are client-led and so will form around what you bring each time we meet. I’ll always check in with how you’re feeling about the process and we’ll review progress frequently.

Yes, I have trained and am qualified as a Transformative Coach with Animas Centre for Coaching, a rigorous diploma course accredited by the International Coaching Federation, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (of which I’m also a member and accredited coach) and the Association for Coaching.

At the moment, coaching is an unregulated profession, so you do not have to be trained or qualified in coaching to be a coach.

However, it has always been important to me to train and I love deepening my learning. My coaching credentials sit alongside my accreditation in EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), and my certifications in Functional Breathing and Personal Training.

I draw upon different modalities in coaching, depending on what you bring and what you’d like to explore, but we don’t need to use them all. People process and experience in different ways. Some clients love working somatically and others connect much more to talking, using mindset exercises, worksheets or video resources. Some prefer a combination. It’s completely up to you and what’s best for your goals.