Therapy tends to explore the past as a means to change. Discussing past experiences is an inevitable and valuable part of coaching but it is less about whys of your behaviour and more about the whats and hows.

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.

Half the answer is in the name: life!

In my case, teaching for 10 years in high-pressured environments proved to be invaluable training for building self-efficacy and self-respect.

From early on in my career, I coached and mentored students (and many who moved on to university) – sharing my own practices and toolkit, and checking in with their progress.

After leaving teaching, I trained and was certified as a life coach at the Pure Coaching Academy. I also did 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 neuroscience and mental and physical health.

Since founding Ithaca Coaching UK in May 2023, I’ve worked with a range of wonderful clients of different ages and profiles.

Gently challenging questions to facilitate self-exploration, a warm non-judgemental space, my attuned attention, empathy.

I integrate traditional life coaching, neuroscience, mindfulness practices, and even a pinch of Classical (!) and Eastern philosophy to offer a varied and unique coaching experience.

All conversations are confidential. Only in very specific circumstances would I break confidentiality. If such instances did arise, I’d endeavour discuss with you first.

For under 18s, I keep parents generally informed but may keep specifics confidential.

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to build self-esteem means helping clients to master a new toolkit for anxiety-management, dismantling hard-wired, outdated beliefs and habit-loops, and rewiring them to be aligned with who they want to be.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 continuing with suggested/agreed-upon practices.

I work with a range of ages but I have a particular interest in coaching university students and those in their 20s and early 30s. Those are some of the toughest ages and transitions to navigate and I think it has never been harder to do so than today.

I only work with clients under 18 in certain circumstances. It’s essential that the client is keen for coaching, not just their parent.