Tell us about yourself
Hello! I’m the founder of COCOON COACHING SOLUTIONS, Master Coach and NLP Kids Practitioner. Born and raised in London, I’ve lived in the Middle East for over 14 years, where I met and married the love of my life and became the lucky Mummy to two VERY lively and wonderful boys who are my world and keep me on my toes!! Passionate about family, parenting and self-development and with a successful career in HR, Training, Recruitment and working within the UK Charity sector, I am at my best when supporting others to reach a heightened sense of confidence, happiness and fulfilment.
What led you to establish the Cocoon Coaching Solutions
In my humble opinion, family is one of the most important and valuable gifts of life. Several years ago, I decided to take some time off to raise my young family. In doing so, I realised a deeper need for work-life fulfilment, and after training embarked upon a career in family coaching and created COCOON COACHING SOLUTION as a supportive and non-judgemental coaching space for women and young people to thrive and bloom.
How do you help your clients boost their confidence during this global change?
Since training as a Coach several years ago, I’ve always thought that in terms of support, it’s essential to meet people in a way that works best for them and often this was in the comfort of their own home. However, due to the pandemic, there has been a higher demand for online coaching. At first, I was unsure about the efficacy of online coaching without all the face-to-face cues and relationship in ‘real’ time. However, client feedback has been extremely encouraging, and we have adapted most of our tools and techniques to achieve a heightened sense of confidence in such challenging times.
Why do you think your services are important nowadays? How do they help?
Parents face many challenges compounded by the complications of COVID-19. As a mother of two young children, I fully understand that we are in an extraordinary moment in time that offers equal evidence for concern, caution, and optimism and have experienced first-hand, how young people struggle socially, academically or emotionally when confronted with sudden and unexpected change. Coaching offers a platform of support for mothers and young people to transform these times of uncertainty into an empowering, resilience-building experience.
What are some of the common concerns family approach you for? Why do you think that is?
Clients come to me looking for clarity and support, especially at a time when resilience, self-esteem and confidence are low. For example; divorce, grief, body image issues, stress and anxiety management, school transitions, dealing with social media pressure, bullying, anger management, relationship issues, employment re-engagement etc.
What is family coaching and who is it focused on?
I often get asked about what family coaching is. Family coaching is a client-centred, collaborative and confidential process where one or more members of a family partner with a coach to address goals that will ultimately improve family dynamics. At COCOON, we help identify the needs of each family member and the shared needs, values, beliefs and goals for realignment.
What are some of the tools you guide people with in achieving and being their best potential selves:
I am a massive fan of NLP, mindfulness, yoga and EQ. Still, my favourite tool is self-reflection because it allows the brain to pause amidst the chaos, untangle and sort through observations and experiences, consider multiple interpretations and create meaning.
What keeps you going? What is your motivation?
Social connection with family and friends, exercise, good food, yoga, meditation and a lot of laughter!
What advice can you share for someone going through fear and anxiety during this global change?
Although we are swimming in a sea of unknowns, one thing is for sure, fear and anxiety are common emotional responses that many of us may feel as we ease our way back into the new norm. By understanding anxiety as our brain’s or body’s response to stress, we start to recognise possible trigger points and then can develop coping strategies, which are all ways parents can turn increased awareness into an advantage for the whole family in challenging times.
What is your favourite quote?
“Nothing in this world is to be feared, only understood.” Marie Curie
Share with us your 5 top life tips:
- Mumma always knows best: trust that you know what is best for your child and understand that it is perfectly normal to feel worried or anxious about what lies ahead, especially after a pandemic, so re-enter the world at your own pace.
- Strike a pose: model the behaviour you wish your child to exhibit because little eyes are always watching parents to learn how to deal with new and potentially stressful situations.
- Brain-dumping is a thing: now more than ever is a perfect time to introduce journaling to your family. This fun and reflective habit of writing down daily thoughts into a safe and non-judgmental space is a fantastic way to process complicated feelings and reclaim a sense of calm and clarity.
- Give hugs, hugs and more hugs: NO hugs outside the family home for now, but did you know that giving a family member a super-charged, power hug for 20 seconds not only feels AMAZING because it releases oxytocin into the body increasing levels of love and connection, but it also reduces cortisol levels, resulting in less stress and anxiety, thus making us healthier and happier all round.
- All we need is LOVE: remember that challenging behaviour is often a child’s way of expressing an unmet need so responding with LOVE (Listen, Observe, Validate & Empathise), will diffuse arguments and strengthen the connection.
