WALK & TALK

Some people find the thought of talking to a complete stranger a very daunting prospect. For those who are new to it, sitting face-to-face with a Counsellor can feel a bit like having an interview. Who needs that added stress or increased anxiety when you are already struggling with life?

‘Walk & Talk’ is a service that offers a much more relaxed approach to counselling, where the client (or clients) can engage in conversation whilst they are walking. It isn’t about the exercise, so the pace can be as slow as you want it to be - and there is always an opportunity to rest on a bench or sit on the beach! This therapeutic change in setting can reduce the pressure of being in a more confined situation, and being side by side - rather than face-to-face - somehow makes opening up much easier.

Obviously this service is weather dependent! But there are very few times when it isn’t possible to get out and be in our wonderful seaside environment. If you would like to find out more, please contact me.

When appropriate I am also able to offer Coaching and Mentoring:

Coaching

This helps people identify and achieve personal and professional goals.

The coaching process uses a range of communication skills - such as targeted restatements, listening, questioning, clarifying etc - to help shift perspectives and thereby discover different approaches to achieve the end goals.

These coaching skills can be used effectively in a wide range of professional and personal areas such as business, health, social, family, political, spiritual, etc.

Mentoring

This process involves communication, with a focus on developing the whole person in the given situation. Techniques include:

• Accompanying: making a commitment to participate in the learning process, side-by-side.

• Sowing: This is necessary when a suggestion may not be understood or even acceptable at first, but will make sense and have value to the mentee when the situation requires it.

• Catalyzing: Sometimes it is necessary to plunge right into change, provoking a different way of thinking, a change in identity or a re-ordering of values.

• Showing: Making a suggestion understandable and user-friendly.

• Harvesting: Reaping the rewards of the lessons that have been learned and reflecting back on what has been achieved.

Mentoring can be used in both a personal and business setting and can provide positive support, feedback and advice, on an individual or group basis, to improve personal effectiveness.