What’s the difference between coaching and therapy?

Therapy is delivered by a psychologist or counsellor, and is generally aimed at either treating mental illness or healing recent or past trauma. Therapy is often focused on resolving past issues in order to create a more stable emotional foundation.

Coaching is generally more focused on future goals and desires, and on identifying and resolving any obstacles in the way. It is usually more action-oriented and is suitable for individuals who already have a stable emotional foundation who want to optimise and improve their lives.

There can be significant overlap between therapy and coaching, with some therapies (e.g. Solutions Focused Therapy) being very similar to coaching. Ultimately, while both therapy and coaching may lead to healing and transformation, the focus of therapy is on healing, while the focus of coaching is on optimisation and transformation.

Personally, I am a big advocate of both therapy and coaching, and believe both are valuable at different times for different people.

What is your coaching like?

My style of coaching is both holistic and flexible, and completely adapted to your individual needs. The coaching is holistic in that we work with your mindset, emotions, body, energy, and/or spirit. I believe that addressing the cognitive, emotional, somatic (body-based), energetic and spiritual levels as required is helpful in sustaining lasting change. Having said that, I work with many clients who don’t connect to the concept of ‘energy’ or ‘spirit’, and I am just as happy to address the main trifecta of mindset, emotions and body when working with these clients. I will meet you where you need.

Some key frameworks that inform my coaching include: Attachment theory (relationship trauma), Polyvagal theory (nervous system), and neo-tantric principles (energy, love-based way of being).

How do I prepare for a session?

All you need to do before a coaching session is to be in a private space with a good internet connection and a working camera on your iPad or laptop. You may want to have a glass of water and a pen & paper to take any notes at the end.

Do you offer in person sessions?

Yes, in-person sessions are available on Wednesday afternoons and evenings in Woollahra. They are also available on an ad-hoc basis on Thursday evenings.

Do you offer phone sessions?

Yes, some clients prefer to have sessions over the phone rather than over video.

Do you have any scholarships or discounts?

I sometimes offer discounted rates to highly motivated individuals who are socially or financially disadvantaged, assessed on a case-by-case basis.

I also offer reduced rates to young adults (under the age of 25) as I was supported by excellent practitioners as a young adult and wish to offer this support to young adults motivated to work on themselves.

Please get in touch if you feel you would benefit from working with me but are finding money is an issue right now, or are under 25. You can get in touch on the form here.

I have a mental health diagnosis. Can I work with you?

I believe that the root causes of many mental health conditions are based in attachment and developmental trauma, and can be resolved or managed in the safe presence and support of a therapist or coach. I regularly work with clients who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, following a conversation about mental health history and medication, and in some cases, a letter of support from the treating psychiatrist or therapist. I am mindful about working within my area of competence and as such, I generally do not accept clients who have a current diagnosis of other major mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, severe bipolar disorder and severe major depression.