Psychologically Informed Coaching
Go beyond the behaviour to understand what is driving it
Some answers aren’t found by thinking harder.
You can be highly capable, deeply committed and successful in your role, yet still notice patterns that emerge under pressure, in relationships or at key transition points in your career.
Psychologically informed coaching creates space to explore those patterns with curiosity rather than judgement, helping you better understand what drives them and how to move forward with greater confidence, choice and self-awareness.
The aim is not to fix you. You’re not broken. Together, we explore the strengths, protective responses and experiences that have shaped how you think, feel and behave, creating meaningful change that feels authentic, sustainable and aligned with who you are.
Sometimes Insight Alone Isn’t Enough
Even when you know what needs to change, something can continue to get in the way.
You may have attended training, received coaching, reflected on feedback and developed a clear understanding of the issue. Yet the same patterns continue to appear.
These responses rarely arise because someone lacks commitment, capability or resilience.
More often, they are protective patterns that developed for understandable reasons. By approaching them with curiosity rather than criticism, it becomes possible to understand what they are trying to achieve and develop greater choice in how you respond.
When Conventional Coaching Doesn’t Go Deep Enough
Traditional coaching can be highly effective when the way forward is primarily about goals, skills, decisions or accountability.
However, some challenges persist even when we understand them intellectually. You may know exactly what to do, yet find yourself repeatedly pulled in a different direction.
The issue is often not a lack of knowledge or capability. Instead, deeper internal patterns, beliefs or protective responses may be influencing how you think, feel and behave beneath conscious awareness.
Psychologically informed coaching helps you explore those deeper drivers, creating opportunities for lasting change rather than temporary solutions.
A Deeper Form of Professional Development
Fire and Rescue personnel operate in environments where trust, accountability, professionalism and composure matter.
There can be a strong expectation to remain capable, cope with pressure and keep moving forward. Psychologically informed coaching provides a confidential space away from operational and organisational pressures to understand what is happening beneath the behaviour and how it may influence the way you lead, perform and relate to others.
Performance Under Pressure
Avoiding or ‘over-managing’ difficult conversations.
Confidence and Self-Belief
Understand persistent self-doubt, imposter feelings or a critical inner voice that remains present despite experience and achievement.
Feedback and Difficult Conversations
Develop greater awareness of what makes certain conversations emotionally charged and strengthen your ability to engage constructively.
Leadership and Identity
Explore the internal shifts that often accompany promotion, increased responsibility, leadership expectations and professional transitions.
Workplace Relationships
Gain insight into recurring interpersonal dynamics and understand how past experiences may influence present-day interactions.
Stress and Emotional Load
Create space to understand what you are carrying, how you manage pressure and what your mind and body may be signalling that they need.
What does IFS-informed mean?
Internal Family Systems, commonly known as IFS, offers a compassionate way of understanding the different internal “parts” that influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
For example, one part of you may strive to remain in control, achieve more or avoid mistakes. Another may feel overwhelmed, angry, doubtful or ready to withdraw. These responses can appear contradictory, but they often share a protective intention.
Rather than treating difficult thoughts or reactions as weaknesses to suppress, an IFS-informed approach helps you become curious about them:
This can bring greater understanding to automatic or habitual patterns and help you develop more choice in how you respond.
IFS-informed exploration is incorporated into these sessions as a coaching approach. It is not presented as psychotherapy or a substitute for clinical mental health support.
What Happens in a Session?
Every coaching conversation is shaped around you, your circumstances and what you would like to explore. We may begin with a current workplace challenge, a piece of feedback, a recurring emotional response or simply a sense that something is holding you back.
1. Understand What Is Happening
Clarify the situation and the impact it is having on you.
2. Explore Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour
Understand the beliefs, emotions and behaviours connected to the issue.
3. Identify Underlying Patterns
Recognise protective responses or recurring internal dynamics that may be influencing the situation.
4. Approach Them With Curiosity
Explore these responses with respect, compassion and understanding rather than judgement.
5. Understand Their Purpose
Consider what they may be trying to achieve and what they may be protecting you from.
6. Create Practical Change
Translate insight into meaningful choices, actions and development goals.
The Occupational Psychology Difference
Occupational Psychology
IFS-Informed Coaching
Who Is It For?
Operational Personnel
Develop greater self-awareness, understanding own needs and control over outcomes.
Professional Services/ Support Staff
Explore confidence, stress, communication and workplace dynamics.
Current and Aspiring Leaders
Support development, leadership challenges and increased responsibility.
Professionals Navigating Change
Understand patterns emerging during organisational or personal transition.
Confidential, Ethical and Professional
Sessions provide a private and confidential space. Before beginning, we will agree:
TESTIMONIALS
About Hannah
I am an Chartered Occupational Psychologist with more than 25 years of experience supporting individuals, teams and organisations with behaviour, performance, wellbeing and transitions.
My work focuses on helping people build on their strengths while developing a deeper understanding of the patterns that influence how they think, feel and behave.
Alongside my background in occupational psychology, I draw upon behavioural coaching and IFS-informed principles to support meaningful, sustainable personal and professional growth.
My approach is compassionate, practical and grounded in the realities of professional life.
For clients, the work is not about becoming someone different. It is about understanding themselves more fully and accessing greater confidence, meaning and choice in how they live, lead and work.
A Different Kind of Development Conversation
No obligation. No pressure. No expectation to share more than you feel comfortable discussing.
Psychological Insight • Compassionate Exploration • Meaningful Change
