Therapy explores the past as a means to change. Discussing past experiences is an inevitable and valuable part of coaching but it’s not where we linger.

Coaching is predominately forward-focused and solution-based. It’s about identifying where you want to change and supporting you as you take practical steps to make that change.

It can be helpful to think of a life coach as you would a sports coach: someone in your corner, committed to you performing at your best – physically and mentally.

The clue is in the name: life!

I taught for a total of 10 years at 3 reputable, high-pressured schools. Those hot-house environments proved to be invaluable self-esteem training: I had to have confidence in my ability to cope with all the challenges that come with teaching. And I had to develop confidence in my right to be happy so I could live a meaningful existence in and around work.

From early on in my career, I coached and mentored students – sharing my own practices and toolkit, and checking in with their progress. Many of them stayed in touch during their time at university so I was able to fine tune my strategies for that context.  

After leaving teaching, I trained and was certified as a life coach at the Pure Coaching Academy. I also did some supplementary NLP training at the NLP School. With the aid of academically-acclaimed books, podcasts and online courses, I have learnt (and continue to learn) about the field of neuroscience and mental & physical health.

Since founding Ithaca Coaching UK in May 2023, I’ve worked with a diverse range of wonderful clients. I started out life coaching more generally, helping clients strive towards identified goals, until I realised what was the essential core at the heart of every goal, every struggle.

Gently thought-provoking questions, a warm non-judgemental space to explore areas of struggle and desired goals, my absolute focus, genuine care, well-recognised neuroscience-based techniques, a variety of mindfulness practices, and even a pinch of philosophy to contemplate the meaning of a happy life!

All conversations are confidential. Only in very specific circumstances am I obligated to break confidentiality (of which I’ll make you aware).

Sometimes clients bring up confidentiality when wondering about referring a friend. So it’s important to stress how seriously I take confidentiality.

The frequency of sessions varies from client to client. How often we meet will depend on the level of support you need and your situation. I do, though, encourage clients to commit initially to fortnightly minimum to help build and sustain momentum.

It’s easier for certain types of coaching such as career coaching, for example, to prescribe a set number. Coaching with an intention to build self-esteem means helping clients to master a new toolkit for anxiety-management, dismantling hard-wired, outdated beliefs and habit-loops, and rewiring them to be aligned with who they want to be. That takes time and crucially, commitment to self-growth. The real change occurs in between sessions, in doing the homework and continuing with suggested practices.