Throughout my career as a teacher, I was known as someone students (girls, boys, non-binary; those with neurodiverse profiles) would come to for help with a problem.

Sometimes I gave additional support to students undergoing therapy or counselling for serious issues like depression, trauma, grief. Often I helped students to manage concerns, feelings or situations typical of school and university years - typical and harder today than ever. 

In doing so I filled a gap - one where “typical” problems were going untended. A friendship issue, self-doubt, expectation pressures, fear of failure, poor concentration… Too often I observed these coalesce into extreme anxiety. Or worse, escalate into acute mental health issues, and only then would help be sought.

Rather than let students “just get on with it” to the detriment of their studies and wellbeing, I offered them a trusted space to talk things out and strategise, to unpack a problem, to understand and manage their anxiety. 

It was a space I wish I had had access to at their age – one that parents and friends can’t always provide since it’s hard for either to listen and help without agenda, whether conscious of it or not. Those in pastoral roles - dealing with crises and overseeing hundreds of students - simply aren’t able to give the necessary time and attention.  And students don’t always think their “typical” problems merit the attention of pastoral or professional care - until they do. 

As more and more students sought my time, more and more did I see the gaping gap in our system of care. So I left teaching, trained as a life coach, and set up Ithaca Coaching UK. Unable to relinquish my Classics and Art History, I’ve carved out a part of Ithaca’s island for tuition. The rest is for coaching & mentoring. All of it, though, comes down to the same thing: building confidence & happiness.

To start your path to Ithaca, click here.