Self-doubt is a protective mechanism that attempts - in complex and sophisticated ways - to hold us back from psychological risk. It finds a squillion different ways to say: don't do that, you might hurt yourself.

We construct narratives about who we need to be to feel safe - to be accepted, to belong - based on our lived experiences. These stories inevitably become fixed and constraining and we end up feeling stuck between our dreams and desires, and the risks they present.

Because self-doubt is a 'developmental dilemma' my approach to coaching is very much interested in exploring how you make sense of your 'self'.

Primarily, my work is about supporting you to feel resourced even when risks are present. We bring self-doubt (Protector) along for the ride, as we develop the capacity of your internal resources (Healthy Adult Self).

Coaching is an ideal container to uncover, understand and heal the unconscious protective beliefs that are in charge, and to support you to develop psychological flexibility to create a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful.

Developmental coaching is quite different from solution-focused or cognitive approaches that focus on goals, behaviour and mindset. Some key aspects of a developmental approach to coaching:

• non-directive exploration of meaning-making
• holistic and addresses the whole person
• addressing long-standing beliefs and challenges
• aim is to increase the broader capacities of clients
• concerned with how we construct our reality and our sense of self
• self is not whole or fixed - it is changeable, contradictory and made of up many parts.