A guide for people who feel stuck but aren’t sure what kind of support they need.
If you’ve ever thought, “Something’s not quite right, but I’m not sure it’s serious enough to talk to someone,” you’re not alone.
Many people wait until things reach a breaking point before seeking support, often believing they have to be in crisis to justify it. But the truth is, you don’t need to be at rock bottom to benefit from therapy or coaching. In fact, the earlier you reach out, the more options and flexibility you often have.
As a highly experienced Registered Counselling and Chartered Coaching psychologist, I work with people at many different stages of their personal and professional lives. Some are struggling with long-standing emotional pain, while others simply feel stuck or unsure of their next step.
How do you know it’s time to reach out?
Here are some signs that support could be helpful. You don’t need to experience all of these, even one or two may be enough:
- You feel stuck or like you’re repeating the same patterns.
- You’ve lost a sense of direction or motivation.
- You often feel overwhelmed, anxious, or low in mood.
- You’re navigating a life change or relationship difficulty.
- You’re functioning on the outside but feel disconnected on the inside.
- You’ve been through a difficult experience, recently or in the past.
- You’re ready for change, but don’t know where to start.
If any of these resonate, it may be the right time to consider working with a professional, whether that’s a psychologist, a coach, or someone trained in both like me.
Psychologist or coach: What’s the difference?
Many people aren’t sure which kind of support they need, and that’s completely understandable. Both therapy and coaching can be powerful and transformative, but they serve slightly different purposes.
Therapy (Psychological Support)
You might benefit more from therapy if:
- You’re experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression or trauma-related symptoms.
- You want to explore the root causes of certain behaviours, thoughts or feelings.
- You’re working through grief, loss or difficult life experiences.
- You’re looking for a safe space to heal and process the past.
As a Registered Counselling Psychologist, I draw on a number of therapeutic modalities to bring you interventions which are tailored to your individual needs. With my expertise in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Processing (EMDR) I can also offer EMDR Therapy for a range of different issues.
Coaching (Coaching Psychology)
A Coaching Psychology approach may be a better fit if:
- You’re feeling stuck but otherwise functioning well.
- You want to clarify your goals or make a life or career change.
- You’re seeking to enhance confidence, focus or personal growth.
- You’re ready to take action, but want structured support and accountability.
As a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, I draw on coaching theory, underpinned by psychological science combining practical strategies with deep personal insight.
Sometimes, the right approach is both!
You may not fall neatly into one category, and that’s perfectly normal. Many people benefit from a flexible, integrative approach, one that addresses deeper emotional patterns while also supporting forward movement and change.
For some people the initial work is therapeutic, and we find that after we have completed therapy, a client may want to continue to think about the future from a coaching perspective. It may even be that they return for coaching sessions in the future.
Similarly, sometimes I will work with a coaching client, and we find that perhaps some of their limiting beliefs stem from something in the past that requires deeper and intense examination and processing; a job that is better served by therapeutic intervention, and would clearly sit outside the scope of Coaching Psychology on its own.
Because I’m trained and experienced in both therapy and coaching, we can explore what’s most helpful for you and adapt our work over time as your needs evolve. This is why a consultation session is very important, as it helps us to begin to identify what service might be best for you and when.
