Kate Stevens

Kate Stevens, Life Coach

Life coach South London

Life coaching outdoors for a fresh perspective

I help brilliant midlife women and men unlock their potential in nature, with walk and talk coaching.

ICF Member
Animas Accredited Coach
Let's take it outdoors

Start on the right path today

Take action and transform your life

More clarity

Let's clear the clutter in your head and identify what truly matters.

More confidence

Challenge what's holding you back and focus on the positives.

More direction

Set new goals and take steps forwards to achieve them.

Experienced, qualified Life Coach

Why work with me?

Discover a fresh approach. I combine the power of transformational coaching with the benefits of being outdoors in nature, walking and talking.

Let's take it outdoors

Walking and talking in nature to unlock your potential

Why coaching outdoors?

It’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and away from work, home, and social media.

Hear from some of my clients

“I embarked on life coaching with a degree of scepticism, but I have been truly thrilled with the processes that Kate has put in place for me to help with the unveiling of myself to, well, myself!”

5/5

TRHS

“My work with Kate has had a profound effect on me and the way I currently perceive myself as a person, professional  and a mother. There are so many questions that I’m working through and avenues I’m exploring  all with a new energy and positivity.”

5/5

HL

“Kate’s sensitive, thought provoking and intuitive approach to life coaching was incredibly cathartic; it allowed me to “dig deep” and really challenge myself to consider who I am, what’s important to me and who my future self could be.”

5/5

Penny

Let's get started...

Transform your life or career in harmony with nature. Let's explore in the great outdoors and discover your potential together.

01

Free call

Let's identify your key challenges and how I could help resolve them.

02

Decide

Are we a good fit? Assess if coaching with me could move you forward.

03

Work togther

I'll support you to reach your goals, keep you on track, reap the rewards.

FAQ

This is a common question! Here’s a breakdown to help guide your decision:

Life Coaching: Life coaching is an approach designed to help you progress and move forward in your life. It’s present-day and future-focused, aimed at helping you make sense of your current situation, gain perspective, and work out the steps, goals, and vision for your future. If you’re looking to achieve more and actively create and pursue your goals, life coaching is a great approach for you.

Counselling or Therapy: If you find yourself struggling day-to-day and experiencing difficulty coping with life’s challenges, counselling or therapy might be a better fit. These approaches delve into your emotional well-being, helping you navigate and process your feelings and experiences. If you’re facing significant emotional hurdles or dealing with past traumas, counselling or therapy can provide the support and tools you need to cope and heal.

Considerations: As a Mental Health First Aider, former HR Manager, and someone who has personally benefited from counselling and life coaching, I understand the importance of matching individuals with the right support. Depending on your circumstances, I may suggest counselling or therapy instead of coaching. Additionally, if your struggles are related to mental health concerns or life transitions such as perimenopause, I may suggest consulting with your GP or exploring relevant resources for specialist support.

Remember, the most important thing is finding the support that aligns with your needs and helps you thrive. If you’re unsure which approach is best for you, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance.

 
 

Most of my life coaching sessions take place outdoors, and here’s why:

  1. Clarity Away from Routine: Stepping away from our everyday routines and the distractions of work allows for clearer thinking and focus. Being outdoors in nature provides an environment conducive to reflection and creativity.

  2. Nature’s Influence: I firmly believe that nature has a profound impact on our well-being and vast research supports this. Greenery soothes our brains – we slow down. Walking outdoors in natural surroundings enhances our ability to problem solve. The combination of physical activity, nature and actively thinking with a professional amplifies the effectiveness of coaching sessions.

  3. Focused Coaching: Walking and talking with a trained coach who actively listens and guides thoughts into action is incredibly beneficial. Unlike seeking advice from a friend, coaching focuses on empowering you to find your own solutions and take meaningful steps forward.

There are instances where outdoor sessions may not be possible as planned. In such cases, you have the option to switch to either online or phone sessions instead. You can even choose to be in your garden or have a view of the outdoors during our phone sessions, if suitable.

The flexibility ensures that you receive the support you need, whether it’s in nature or the comfort of your own space.

If we are meeting in person, I have an extensive list of green spaces to choose from in South London. I’m open to considering other green (or blue!) spaces you may suggest.

Additional fees may apply if we meet outside South London.

I am an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). This means I follow the ethics, guidelines and competencies of an internationally recognised organisation. I hold an Accredited Diploma in Transformational Coaching, with Animas Centre for Coaching. I have regular coaching supervision, CPD and my own Coach.

Life coaching is unregulated and there are many different types and approaches. Check the credentials, experience and previous career history of any Coach you might work with.

There are many different approaches to coaching. I use:

  • My life experience, intuition and curiosity
  • Positive Psychology – what’s going right with people; thriving and wellbeing
  • Transformational – how people can better themselves, changing the way they see themselves, holistically

Although I like to meet my clients in person, we can run your coaching sessions in separate outdoor locations, over the phone. We can also run some sessions online or have a mix.

Client agreement - ground rules.

1. Bring my whole self to this process; professionally and personally.

You cannot separate your professional and personal ‘lives’.

2. Be present in the moment and connected.

… to the coaching; what you’re thinking, feeling, experiencing. And…to nature if and where we are outdoors. If we’re on headphones, I’ll invite you to be descriptive of your environment too.

3. Bring the agenda to each session and keep your overall objective alive.

You can do this in several ways:

  • Be goal and action orientated – bring what you want to discuss and achieve to the session; OR
  • Talk and see what lands – exploratory and intentional.
 

I will bring the process, tools, ideas, resources and best practice to best support you towards your goal/intention/objective. More in your pre-coaching questionnaire. 

4. Give feedback and be responsive.

Coaching is collaborative. Neither of us should guess where we stand. I ask you to give me feedback and respond – you can rely on me to give and do the same.

I aim to get back to you within 24 hours of you emailing me, even if it’s just to say ‘I received your message’ before I respond properly. If it’s over the weekend or holiday, this may take longer.

5. Do the work in the session and in between sessions.

…so that you get the best value, even when it’s challenging. I might suggest a piece of work based on what you brought to the session. Mainly you will decide your course of action.

Whichever way, I’ll invite you to:

  • Reflect more; through walking, writing and whatever else fires you up, to help you achieve your objective.
  • Explore more; be curious and follow those trails of thought, intentionally
    Practice more; habits? Actions? Keep trying/tweaking.
  • Note what’s coming up that’s important or interesting to you in the session. I may share a few bullet points with you after, via Google Docs.

6. Session duration and timescale.

Generally a session is an hour but happy to shorten or increase session lengths, as and when we both can, that day. Where either of us thinks it appropriate, let’s say in the session. Timescale – let’s keep to the timescale agreed in the contract.

Additional information...

  • Coaching is a relationship designed to facilitate the development of personal or professional goals and develop a plan/strategy for achieving those goals.
  • It is comprehensive; it may involve other areas of your life beyond what you may have originally intended. It is your responsibility to choose and decide how to handle this, or even whether to.
  • It can be challenging; digging deep, creating better habits, becoming more self-aware, changing unhelpful beliefs you hold about yourself to something more helpful. There will be ups and downs. You will gain new insights, learnings and perspectives to help you achieve your goal.
  • You – the Client, are solely responsible for creating and implementing your own physical, mental and emotional well-being, decisions, choices, actions and results arising out of or resulting from the coaching relationship and your coaching calls and interactions with me – the Coach. As such, you agree that the Coach is not and will not be liable or responsible for any actions or inaction, or for any direct or indirect result of any services provided by me – the Coach. 
  • You – the Client, understand that in order to enhance the coaching relationship, you agree to communicate honestly, be open to feedback and assistance and to create the time and energy to participate fully in the program. I will do the same.
  • Coaching is not a substitute for counselling, mental health care or substance abuse treatment.  If you are in any kind of therapy, please tell me.  Tell your practitioner (medical or therapeutic) of you working with me.
  • I ask you to agree to commit to the coaching sessions to facilitate the required change.
  • I will treat you as the expert regarding the subject matter, which is…YOU.
  • I will allow time and space for you to explore your thoughts and think for yourself, no interruptions. There may be long pauses or silence sometimes to elicit more.
  • What goes on in your sessions is confidential. I do not discuss it with anyone. There may be occasion when it is my duty to break confidentiality:
    > If I feel you or I are at risk of harm.
    > Criminal / illegal activity.
    > A safeguarding concern or something else so serious that warrants concern.
  • I may talk to my coach or supervisor about issues arising in our sessions without ever naming or giving away you as the client. This is to ensure I am following professional and ethical guidelines and delivering my best. I subscribe to these by the ICF; https://coachfederation.org/code-of-ethics
  • Qualifications and CPD; I am an accredited coach. This means I have trained, practiced and qualified with Animas Centre for Coaching (Nov 2020). I hold a ‘Diploma in Transformational Coaching’. This is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
    > I have my own coach and group supervision
    > My CPD includes –  Outdoor Intelligence for Online Coaching (Oct 2020) -Positive Psychology (Feb 2021

My accreditations

Birds

My story

I’d been trying to work out ‘what else’ I could do with my career and life.

After 20 years in HR and with the children getting older, I wanted to change careers, but into ‘what?’ And ‘how’ was that even possible? And…’who would take on a mid-40’s apprentice?’!

I took small steps to boost my confidence and mindset; a regular ‘walk and whinge’ with friends to offload, short courses to up-skill, more running, more netball.
I asked my workplace ‘what else’ they needed that I could help with – ‘job crafting’. 

I was trying to make changes but it wasn’t really working. I was still frustrated and now, more miserable. I needed a different approach to find a way forward and release the building pressure I felt.

Hiring an accredited coach with whom I knew I could work with, enabled me to take a good look at myself – at times, uncomfortably.

To be listened to without any interruption, or judgement was empowering and I started to recognise what made me, me – my personality, strengths, what energised me and made me happy. What if these things amounted to a job I would…love…?

I followed my curiosity and dabbled with ideas about potential jobs, tasks and environments that would suit me, with a new, growth mindset.

I started to shift perspective. When I finally realised the ‘what’, I felt an energy and sense of knowing that was powerful. And I laughed, because it had been right in front of me!

Coaching undoubtedly helped me get to know myself, to see my potential and what was possible. I wholeheartedly decided through those sessions, on what and how I wanted things to be.

It had taken me two years of feeling stuck and miserable and a number of hours to be liberated.

This is what I now do with my clients. I help them rediscover themselves so that they can play to their strengths and thrive.

Water