Ithaca life coaching

Hi, I’m Melissa. I’m a life coach with over a decade of professional experience offering personal support. I worked as Classics and History of Art teacher for many years before I trained as a certified life coach. I’m also in the process of qualifying as a psychotherapist. I coach adults over the age of 18. If there’s a specific area of life you feel is being held back by low confidence or you’re experiencing a generalised stuckness or loss of direction, please reach out.

My approach shifts depending on what you need. If you have a specific goal in mind, e.g. anxiety-management, social confidence, career progression etc, I’ll support you to attain it and, where helpful, be more directive. If you're looking for a warm space to talk and gain insight into your struggles, I’ll be led by you and listen and respond attentively. If you would like tools to help with certain issues, say around anxiety, rumination, negative thoughts, I’ll offer some suggestions.

I offer a warm, confidential space. I ask gently challenging questions to facilitate exploration and help you to discover (or rediscover!) your capabilities.

I may share neuroscience-based strategies to help you to manage critical thoughts, develop positive thinking, dismantle unhelpful mind-loops and limiting beliefs, build self-nourishing habits,  intentionally respond rather than automatically react.

I may also share simple, effective practices of mindfulness for you to become more attuned to your body and its key signals. 

For me, no one has defined it better than expert Nathaniel Branden as a combination of self-efficacy and self-respect. i.e…

• confidence in your ability to think and cope with the basic challenges of life

• confidence in your right to be happy, feel worthy, assert your needs & wants, and live according to your values 

That means self-esteem is at the core of resilience, wellbeing, flexibility, self-regulation, competency, connection, fulfilment, joy… If those are in short supply, please do get in touch.