Coaching facilitates learning and growth in a way which differs from consulting, teaching, training, therapy and mentoring. Coaching is led by you. I will not advise or tell you what to do. You are the expert in your life and in your work. My role is to facilitate your learning and to work with you as you choose what to focus on and what action you want to take.

The ICF (the professional board of which I am a member) defines coaching as:

“partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximise their personal and professional potential. The process of coaching often unlocks previously untapped sources of imagination, productivity and leadership.
We all have goals we want to reach, challenges we’re striving to overcome and times when we feel stuck. Partnering with a coach can change your life, setting you on a path to greater personal and professional fulfilment.”

My sessions are designed to help you to identify and address your learning and development, and to realise your goals while you work through whatever might be getting in your way of achieving them. I will listen, and help you to see any unhelpful patterns of behaviour or habits which may get in the way of your progress. Coaching is designed to facilitate your growth, enhance your strengths, knowledge, behaviour, performance and wellbeing. It is also designed to be enjoyable and is often a lot of fun.

The working relationship I have with my clients is based on an equal grounding, based on confidentiality and trust. Coaching is an investment in yourself and is designed to be enlightening and highly motivating. Real transformation can start to take place when you realise that it is within your power to make the changes which will move you forward. I will support you, gently challenge you and encourage you with no judgement. I am committed to helping you to make transformational changes-but the hard work will be down to you! With trust in yourself and support from me, you will find new opportunities and see the way forward in a whole new way.

Henry Ford once said:

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t-you’re right”

Taking time to step back, reflect and explore what it is that you want, and the best way to move towards it is something which is difficult to do in our day to day lives where being busy is often seen as a badge of honour. We are all unique and coaching works so well because it is designed to give you the power to discover and do whatever is right for you. To let you know that you always have a choice. That in itself is one of the benefits that coaching has to offer. Other include (but are not limited to!):

• An increased feeling of control over your thoughts, feelings, actions
• Increase in energy, clarity, productivity, motivation, creativity and self-belief
• An increased awareness of yourself, of when you are at your best. Understand how you can help yourself so that you can achieve your potential without compromising your wellbeing.

No it doesn’t. I offer online sessions (usually Zoom but we can figure out a way to suit you), and telephone coaching, in addition to sessions in person where possible-whatever is more convenient for you. I also offer walking coaching. I’m passionate about the benefits of getting people outside where possible as I believe it to be really beneficial in helping you to gain a new perspective in your thinking, as well as being good for you and a change from sitting at a desk, if that’s usually where you are!

You can have as many or as few coaching sessions as you like. We will discuss this in our initial chat-as well as the costs involved. I offer packages for a set period of sessions which include some additional check in emails/WhatsApp messages or we can work on one session at a time depending on your preference. Some people want a session once a week and some prefer monthly ones over a longer period of time. The effects of coaching can make an immediate impact sometimes, but more often the changes evolve and over time habits change, and self belief grows and before you know it things will be different for you and you’ll realise that it’s working! So it really is entirely up to you to decide-and you don’t have to do that now; it can be very flexible.

I have a Level 7 Certificate in Executive Coaching and Mentoring with The Institute of Leadership and Management and am a member of the International Coaching Federation. I am also trained in Clinical Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness and am a Mental Health First Aider. I am fully insured  with Towergate Insurance.

Yes. You can read a few here to give you an idea of the benefits coaching has to offer:

Working with Karen has been a delightful experience for me. We started the coaching sessions just when I was feeling like I had a lot on my plate and wondering how I might balance it all out and feeling uncertain on how my career might progress. Through the sessions, I was able to sift my thoughts, ideas and aspirations and no longer feel so overwhelmed. I am able to reflect more on my abilities and aspirations and use that to filter out opportunities coming my way. I have gained a new way of thinking!
Naomi Kimuyu

“Coaching with Karen has enabled me to clarify and focus on my work objectives. Her support and enthusiasm make her a very effective coach and motivator at a time of transition into a new role.” – Coaching client, a leader in the NHS

“Karen is a wonderfully warm and giving person.  She has a kind heart and yet has the ability to make you dig deeper that you thought was possible.  Challenging, thought-provoking and holds you to account.  I would highly recommend her.” – Global Commercial Director at Diageo

“Karen helped me rebuild my self-awareness. Her questions unlocked the core of my problems; her calm, patient listening skill allowed me to look into myself at first. This insight provided a fertile base for dynamic conversations. With her constant presence, with a multitude of responses, with a deep understanding of my needs and deep empathy, Karen continued to leverage my strengths. She allowed me to build new models of function and work which has led to a leap of my leadership ability in action. Her feedback, her imaginative and occasionally incisive and unlocking comments, her warm demeanour (even when she challenged me) made Karen the key to fulfilling my own goals and to unlocking further successes in my life and career.” – Coaching client, a leader in the NHS

When you are ready to see how transformational coaching works, please feel free to contact me and we can have an informal, no obligation talk about what it is that you are hoping to achieve. I look forward to speaking with you one day soon.

The amount of support that people want and need varies considerably. Change takes time and although often people can have insights fairly quickly, real transformation takes time. To ensure that you have the best chance of implementing and embedding what you learn, I usually work with clients for a minimum of 3 months, with one session a week for the first month and then once a fortnight from then on. Of course we will review your progress regularly and if you would like to work with me for longer that is an option. Some of my clients prefer to carry on with bi-weekly sessions after the initial 3 months and some prefer a session once a month to ensure they are on track with their longer term intentions, to navigate further challenges or to continue with their personal and/or professional development.

Payment is always made in advance of the sessions (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

One-off sessions are available although a commitment of a minimum of 12 weeks preferable in order to see positive changes occurring.

I am very happy to discuss specific requirements for either Personal or Executive Coaching with you so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Coaches can vary enormously-in their skills, training, experience and approach. Unfortunately coaching is not regulated in the UK so there are no formal standards needed for someone to call themselves a coach so some will have none, or very little, training. I encourage you to do some research before you decide whether or not to work with anyone. Coaching is a partnership between the coach and client-so it’s essential that both the coach and client feel they work well well together. That’s what the free discovery sessions are about-the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your aspirations.

Whether you have experienced a coaching conversation before or are here to find out more about what coaching is, I hope you’ll find the information you’re looking for but please contact me should you wish to ask me anything that I haven’t covered, or to speak to me about your particular needs.