about me | strawhouselife

About Strawhouse Life and Me

Who I am and why I love coaching....

Having worked for more than 30 years in people-based behaviour change and wellbeing services, including the Probation Service, domestic abuse and mental health organisations, I have an extensive understanding of human psychology. In particular, why we sometimes choose to act in ways that seem to be unhelpful, or even harmful and damaging for ourselves or other people, and how we can get stuck making the same mistakes over and over.

I have guided many, many people to recognise their strengths and abilities, and to identify and overcome the obstacles from their past that are no longer useful to their future.

I have worked with a very wide range of people: those using or experiencing harm in their relationships, people wanting to manage the impact of past trauma, some people who just feel like they are treading water and want help to make positive changes to their lives.

I have completed formal training in Life Coaching and NLP Practitioner / Master Practitioner Certification with Nina Madden - a globally respected and highly experienced trainer and practitioner.

Bringing all my training and experience together, I am able to tailor coaching processes and sessions for you as a unique individual, no matter what your dreams and goals are, and no matter what the journey has been like for you so far. All you need to bring is a genuine desire to take steps towards being and having what you really want.

As your coach, I will walk alongside you for as long as I am of use - you will know when you are ready to continue your journey without me.

I continually use NLP theories and coaching processes to reflect on myself, my own life journey, my goals and core values. I have challenged myself and been challenged and supported by other coaches, to know and achieve my goals.

I know these techniques and principles work, not only because of the transformations I see in the people I work with, but because I myself benefit from them in my own life every day.

I believe we are all in control of our achievements -

things don't "just happen" to us.

It is exciting to know that, starting TODAY, you can shape your future and take steps to reach goals you may previously only have dreamt of. I truly love motivating people to do this and have a tool-kit brimming with techniques and exercises learned, practised and honed over many years, to create tailored responses to most issues you may be worried about. Helping you to move a step closer to the life you want, to be the Best You, is a genuinely enjoyable and rewarding experience for me.

Why Strawhouse?

I am committed to moving towards a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle: currently I live off-grid with my partner and a range of animals on a beautiful hillside in the South Wales Valleys. Ultimately our plan is to self-build an energy efficient and "eco-friendly" house here - using natural materials including straw as a core component.

A common myth is that straw is flimsy and precarious: prone to rot, fire... or being blown down by a wolf. The reality is quite the opposite, with good foundations and quality framework and rendering, a house of straw is every bit as strong and secure as any brick constructions - and potentially stronger than some wooden buildings.

As a metaphor, I think this reflects how we too can achieve success as individuals. Our strength is in the elements that other people don't necessarily see - our foundations, our beliefs and values, having a strong and positive state of mind. Then, as with straw, it isn't the material in itself that creates the strength, but how it is used in conjunction with other resources available.

With my support, you can learn techniques to maximise your own internal resources which you can then utilise in order to be the person you want to be for the rest of your life.

Nature based coaching

My love and respect for nature and the world outside our windows, also extends to the coaching experiences that I offer, with opportunities for you to undertake sessions in outdoor settings if you wish to.