Coaching isn’t about becoming a different person or being told what you should do with your life.
It’s about creating enough space to question the stories and expectations that have been shaping your choices, work out what you actually want, and start building evidence that a different future is possible.
Here are two examples of what that can look like.
From “my career is behind me” to two job offers
The Next Chapter — Bespoke 12-week Programme
A client came to me having been out of work for several years following a series of health setbacks. They had previously built a successful career, but had gradually come to believe that that version of themselves was behind them.
Their circumstances had genuinely changed. They couldn’t return to work that was as physically demanding as before, and it was important to take those limitations seriously. But alongside the reality of their situation was another story they had begun to tell themselves: that the interesting opportunities were no longer available to them.
Our work wasn’t about trying to think positively or pretending those challenges weren’t real. Instead, we explored where that story had come from, what purpose it was serving, and whether it was actually true. We then began testing some of those assumptions through small, tangible steps rather than trying to figure everything out from the outset.
Over the course of six sessions, they gradually began expanding what felt possible. They rebuilt their confidence, reconnected socially, improved their physical health and started exploring work again. By the end of our work together, they had two job offers that reflected their newfound priorities.
But the most meaningful change wasn’t the offers themselves. They had stopped waiting to become the person they used to be before getting their life moving again, and had started to see that they could build a fulfilling life around who they were now.
This is the kind of work a The Next Chapter Programme is for – not a single moment, but a pattern that’s been running for a while.
From interview anxiety to feeling like herself again
1:1 Coaching — Single Session
A client came to me while preparing for a demanding job interview process. On paper, they were a strong candidate. But the pressure of the situation had begun to affect their confidence. Over a single session, we explored both the immediate pressure of the interviews and some assumptions shaping their approach to the situation. Gradually, the conversation helped them reconnect with the strengths and experiences they already have.
By the end of the session, they felt calmer and more grounded about the process ahead of them. When the interviews arrived, they approached them with a greater sense of confidence and authenticity. They later told me the session had been a real turning point. Not only did they get the job, but they came away with a renewed sense of confidence and perspective that they continue to carry with them.
Client Reflection
Lauren is exceptional at what she does – she is thoughtful, a great listener, tactful and really competent. I came to her at a moment of acute stress and self-doubt, while preparing for a job interview process that felt overwhelming.
I cannot overstate how much our session helped me. She took the time to ask careful questions and listened closely to both my recent experiences and longer-term concerns. She created a space for me to feel understood, while gently encouraging me to reconsider how I viewed myself and my abilities.
After just one session, I felt more confident and more grounded. It was a real turning point. I remember calling my friends afterwards and saying that, regardless of the outcome of the interview process, I had already gained so much from the session.
Lauren’s advice helped me perform well and be myself in the interview, but it also gave me perspective and insights I’m going to carry with me. I cannot recommend Orange Tree Coaching highly enough 🙂