Life Coaching
Ever wondered what Life Coaching is, or if it’s something you might need?
Let’s simplify it…
Coaching builds a bridge from where you are now to where you want to be.
Picture your ideal life.
Now, compare it to your current reality.
Notice a gap?
That’s where coaching comes in.
Coaching helps you to work out how to break down any barriers standing in the way of you and your objectives.
Can’t envisage that dream future?
Coaching also helps you figure out what you truly want from your life. It offers a pathway to shaking off that ‘stuck’ feeling that may be holding you back.
Coaching may zoom in on one specific area of your life, such as your career or your relationships. Or it could involve a wider, panoramic view of your life.
How does coaching work?
You may be thinking, sounds great… but how on earth could coaching transform my life?!
Here’s the simple truth:
Coaching isn’t a magic wand. I don’t give you ready-made answers or solutions.
That’s because you are the expert of your life.
What coaching does is help you dive into your own mind and feelings, so you understand yourself better.
With this increased self-awareness, you can trust yourself to figure out your own answers, rather than feeling a need to seek them from elsewhere.
Transformative Coaching
There are a huge number of Life Coaches out there these days, and choosing the right one for you can feel like choosing the right book to read from a huge library! Unfortunately the profession is not yet regulated, and there are online courses for $7 claiming to offer a ‘Life Coach Qualification’.
I completed a Diploma in Transformative Coaching with one of the leading coach training schools, Animas Centre for Coaching. This qualification is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the Association for Coaching (AC).
So why does that matter, and what exactly is Transformative Coaching?
Unlike more traditional forms of coaching, which might skim the surface, transformative coaching digs deep in order to result in long lasting change.
We all have personal inner narratives - stories we tell ourselves on repeat in our minds, subconsciously shaping our decisions and actions.
These stories help us to make sense of the world around us and who we are. They have usually been deeply engrained in us from a young age, developed as a result of our life experiences.
The problem is, these stories often don’t serve us anymore.
Often they hold us back and keep us stuck.
Transformative coaching examines your world view, dissects your assumptions, beliefs, and values, all with the aim of understanding — and, when needed, rewriting — the stories that have shaped your life.
This helps you to forge a path towards a new, more helpful narrative, where you are the protagonist moving towards a future that excites you.
Client feedback
“Kezia is a fantastic coach who has really helped me move forward after a difficult period in my life.”
“Kezia is friendly and professional and so easy to talk to which really helped me to be honest with myself which in turn enabled her to support me with the tools I needed to help me move forward.”
“Kezia has made a big difference to my wellbeing both personally and professionally. She excels in reflective listening, and has a gift in her ability to summarise, which helps me to see things more clearly, and to feel properly heard. Her skill in asking just the right question helps me to find the answers myself.”
About me
I’m Kezia – and you can find out more about me here.
You might notice the range of services I offer; Speech and Language Therapy, Communication Coaching, Supervision for SLTs and Life Coaching… and wonder how do these connect? Or even, “why can’t she pick one job?!”
The simple answer is: everything I do comes down to helping people tap into their potential to improve their lives.
Although the specific situations I help might look very different, such as:
Helping someone with a stammer to order the drink they actually want, not the one they can say most easily;
Supporting someone to assertively speak up in tough work meetings without being hijacked by their emotions;
Assisting Speech and Language Therapists to avoid burnout whilst running a private practice…
My approach in coaching people to help achieve these goals is pretty consistent across the board.
What I bring to the table…
A down-to-earth and friendly approach, creating a space where you feel comfortable speaking freely - even the bits you might normally hold back;
A knack for teasing out key issues and pinpointing any ‘limiting beliefs’ that may be keeping you stuck;
An ability to see the bigger picture and see how various challenges you face may intertwine;
Knowledge of a wide range of psychological approaches (such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Attachment Theory). My inner geek loves to learn about how our minds work and I spend most of my spare time and money diving further into these fields! The benefit for you is that I have plenty of tools and techniques to tailor to your needs.
In a nutshell, whether we’re working on speech, communication, or shaping a life that you’ve dreamed of, my goal stays the same:
helping you navigate towards being your most genuine self and living a fulfilling life.
Areas of expertise
My Life Coaching training enables me to work with you on any challenge you may be facing.
However, there are specific areas where people often choose to work with me due to my professional training or my personal experiences.
Coaching after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Adjusting to life post-ABI is daunting. Some days might feel overwhelming. Envisioning a fulfilling future can feel impossible.
My coaching helps you to adjust to these changes and create a path forward that focuses on your dreams, strengths and hopes, despite any ongoing symptoms.
I’ve worked with people with neurological difficulties for years as a Speech and Language Therapist which means I understand the wide range of challenges you may be facing.
If you have any communication or cognitive difficulties, I can adjust my approach to ensure you can still benefit from coaching (and even help you with these symptoms!).
Coaching for Healthcare Professionals in Private Practice
Setting up and running a private practice can feel like you’re juggling too many balls at once. There’s finance, marketing and web design to name a few, all while ensuring you deliver high quality clinical services. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re first getting started!
My coaching helps you to create a business that aligns with your values and fits in with your life. Coaching supports you to set action plans, step out of your comfort zone and grow your business in a way that works for you.
I’m particularly passionate about supporting private Speech and Language Therapists to prioritise their wellbeing; working through any barriers that might hold you back from growing a business that you love. See also: Supervision for SLTs
Coaching after Divorce or Separation
I understand from personal experience the absolute shock that comes from an unexpected relationship breakdown, and the challenges associated with solo parenting. For the past few years I have also been involved in a charity that supports people to recover after relationship breakdowns.
I offer coaching to support you on this journey, helping you to rediscover joy and peace in your life following separation.
I can support you with healthy communication, effective conflict resolution and understanding relational dynamics - also drawing on my communication coaching expertise.
