Coaching in Eastbourne and online
Do you know something needs to change, but feel unsure how to move forward?
You may have a clear goal, be facing a decision or transition, or simply know that the way things are now isn't how you want them to stay.
I'm Nicki Wakefield, an integrative counsellor and coach. My coaching is forward-focused and practical, but if anxiety, self-doubt, difficult feelings or older patterns are getting in the way, my counselling training means we can explore those too.
A therapeutic approach to coaching
Coaching often starts with questions such as: What do I want? What are my options? What might I do next?
But sometimes the difficulty isn't knowing what you want. Anxiety, self-doubt, difficult feelings or things happening beneath the surface can get in the way.
My training specifically integrates counselling and coaching, so we don't have to ignore those things in order to keep working towards a goal. This way of working is sometimes described as therapeutic coaching: coaching that can go deeper when that's helpful, while still keeping sight of what you want to change or move towards.
When the goal changes
You might be thinking about a career change, navigating a transition, questioning what you want from work or relationships, making an important decision, or simply feeling ready for something to change.
You don't need to arrive with the perfect goal.
Sometimes we begin with a clear outcome and work towards it. Sometimes exploring the situation changes your understanding of what you actually want. And sometimes we discover that something emotional needs attention before action becomes possible.
We can respond to what emerges rather than forcing the work to remain focused on a goal when something deeper needs space.
Counselling or coaching?
You don't have to have worked out what kind of support you need before contacting me.
If you're mainly struggling emotionally, counselling will usually be the natural starting point. If you have a clearer future-focused goal, coaching may be more appropriate. Often there is overlap.
Working together
Coaching is collaborative and active. I may ask challenging questions, help you clarify what matters, explore assumptions, offer perspective and help you turn ideas into manageable next steps.
I can also draw on approaches including ACT, CBT and coaching psychology where useful.
Sessions can be 50 or 80 minutes and may be weekly or less frequent depending on the work.
Ready to explore what's next?
I offer coaching face-to-face in Eastbourne and online. Get in touch to arrange a free introductory conversation so we can talk about what you're looking for and whether this way of working feels right for you.
If we go on to a first session and I then believe your needs would be better supported by another practitioner or service, I won't charge you for that session.