What is it?

Coaching is a series of purposeful conversations about you and your situation, with exercises and tasks in between to keep the momentum going. The sessions give you time and space, support and structure as you think, feel, reflect and act. Together, we work towards decisions, change, acceptance and action. You're in control of what we talk about. I'm trained to listen and observe, give you feedback on what I see and hear, pick up on what you're saying - and not saying - and to help you to work through the issues.

I respect my clients as adults who can and will find their own solutions. My job is to help them get there. Perfectly reasonable, emotionally balanced people can feel stuck, unhappy or directionless for any number of reasons. Or they may want someone to help them work through a problem, make an important decision or put an idea into action.

Why not just talk to a friend?

It's not always appropriate to talk things through with friends. Friends may not challenge you or tell you things about yourself for fear of sabotaging your relationship - and there may be things you don't want to tell them. If you're lucky, they'll listen, comment and let you unravel your thoughts and explore options. More often, they give you advice, tell you what they would do, join you in a two-handed moan, or just get stuck too. Sooner or later, even the most sensitive and well-meaning friends will get compassion fatigue. This is when a coach - a 'hired friend' - can help.

An ordinary conversation involves two people - you and the other person, and two agendas - yours and theirs. A coaching conversation involves two people - you and me, but only one agenda - yours.

Each session lasts for ninety minutes and I charge £65 per session after the first free assessment.

• Anxiety, stress and distress
• Personal organisation
• Personal relationships
• Family relationships
• Parenting
• Dealing with chronic, long-term illness
• Getting through the menopause
• Changing attitude and behaviour

Contact me on 01943 468799 or email your enquiry to talk@melanieallen.co.uk.