During the pandemic I knew I wanted more from my life but I didn’t know what it was or how to find it. My entire existence came into question. Retiring has never been an option or a desire. It wasn’t that I intended to stop writing or teaching, and my running, swimming and yoga practice are important to my wellbeing, but I hungered after something else, something to stretch me still further.

My wife was midway through a doctorate in existential psychotherapy and I had (wrongly) assumed that I would find philosophy boring and impenetrable. She suggested I look at the coaching MA. I was adamant, I definitely did not want to study or write essays. However, philosophy, the material and the existential approach gave me a new enthusiasm. It was time to expand and develop my intellectual and emotional self, and the training felt entirely right for this stage in my life.

After an introductory workshop at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (affiliated to Middlesex University), I nervously signed up for the MA. To say the course has changed my view on just about everything would not do it justice. In brief, existential coaching works with the client to find a way to realise the changes you want to make, with philosophy at its foundation. It is a non-directive approach (I won’t tell you what to do), and looks at your choices, past, present and future, and the responsibility that comes with those choices.

As I embark on my final year of training, I have several available spaces to offer alongside my current client list. My website will tell you more about how I work, who I am, and how to contact me.