I’m Beth, a Coaching Psychologist with a Master’s degree in Coaching Psychology, following an undergraduate degree in Counselling Psychology. I’m BPS Accredited, fully insured as a coach, DBS-checked, and also a proud trustee and support group leader for Endometriosis South Coast. 🌻
But beyond the qualifications and titles, what truly shapes the way I work is who I am, and the lived experiences I bring into the room.
The Professional Foundation
Coaching Psychology, as defined by the British Psychological Society, is an evidence-based discipline that applies psychological theory and research to enhance well-being, performance, and personal growth in non-clinical populations. It bridges science and lived experience, which is exactly why I fell in love with it.
My training is grounded in (to name a few):
- Positive Psychology (e.g., the PERMA model developed by Martin Seligman), which explores flourishing beyond symptom reduction.
- Self-Determination Theory (Edward Deci & Richard Ryan), highlighting the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in sustainable motivation.
- Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, rooted in the work of Aaron Beck, examining how thoughts shape emotions and behaviour.
- Compassion-focused and trauma-informed approaches, influenced by research from clinicians like Paul Gilbert.
But theory alone is never enough.
The Human Behind the Work
I’m a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult (Autistic + ADHD), living with Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and Coeliac Disease. I’m also a lone parent, and someone who has walked a long, winding road with my mental health.
Research shows that neurodivergent adults, particularly women, are often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to years of internalised shame and “masking.” Studies suggest that prolonged masking is linked to burnout, anxiety, depression, and identity confusion. I know this not just academically, but personally.
From a young age, I struggled with anxiety, depression, and the feeling that I just didn’t “fit in.” After having my daughter, I experienced a deep period of postnatal depression. Perinatal mental health research tells us that 1 in 5 women experience mental health difficulties during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum, yet stigma often keeps us silent.
That period truly tested me. But it also sparked something.
When Pain Becomes a Turning Point
There’s a psychological concept called post-traumatic growth, developed by Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun. It doesn’t romanticise suffering. It simply recognises that, for some people, adversity can become a catalyst for profound meaning-making, identity reconstruction, and strength.
That was my turning point.
This path hasn’t been linear. There’s been darkness. There’s been doubt. I’ve felt the cracks in our mental health system. I’ve sat in counselling rooms that never quite reached the core of what I needed. And yet, I kept going.
Eventually, I asked myself:
- What needs to change?
- What can I do to reclaim my life?
Psychologically, this is the shift from an external locus of control to an internal locus of control, recognising where we do (and don’t) have agency. It’s also the beginning of self-efficacy, a concept pioneered by Albert Bandura, which highlights how belief in our ability to influence outcomes directly impacts behaviour and resilience.
Since then, I’ve been doing the work, not just academically, but personally.
I’ve:
- Faced myself and challenged long-held core beliefs.
- Examined cognitive distortions and perfectionistic patterns.
- Learned nervous system regulation strategies rooted in polyvagal-informed practice.
- Stepped outside of comfort zones.
- Embraced vulnerability (thank you, Brené Brown).
- Taken radical responsibility for my own healing.
Not because healing is neat or aesthetic; because, believe me, it certainly isn't! But because it’s liberating.
Why Lived Experience Matters in Coaching
There is increasing recognition in psychology that therapeutic alliance, the quality of the relationship, is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes across modalities. People don’t just need strategies. They need to feel seen, understood, and psychologically safe.
Living with chronic illness has also shaped my understanding of invisible struggle. Conditions like Endometriosis are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, not simply because of the condition itself, but because of delayed diagnosis, medical dismissal, and chronic pain. The intersection between physical and mental health is real, complex, and often overlooked.
When I sit with clients who feel:
- Stuck
- Overwhelmed
- Burned out
- Unheard
- Disconnected from themselves
I’m not meeting them from a place of theory alone. I’m meeting them from empathy, regulation, and grounded psychological science.
The Ongoing Journey
The version of me from five years ago wouldn’t believe how far I’ve come.
And the version of me today? She’s excited for who I’ll be five years from now. 💛
Because growth isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about coming home to yourself, with more awareness, compassion, and agency than before.
If you're someone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, unheard, or unsure of where to begin, know this:
Change doesn’t require you to be fearless.
It requires you to be willing.
You don’t have to do it alone.
And you don’t have to be “fixed” to be worthy of support.
I see you and I’m so glad you’re here. 💕