Meet the Coach: Jan Thompson
Jun 21, 2022
Jan Thompson
Jun 21, 2022
I was a person-centred counsellor for over 25 years but as the social climate changed in the country and in the world , I felt that people were looking for answers to their issues in a more focused way. I decided to go with the flow and studied to be a life coach. I now work in a solution-focused way in order to get my clients closer to the goals they want to achieve.
I studied at The Institute of Counselling - Glasgow, where they have a dedicated coaching course.
I offer life coaching to people who have reached a crossroads in their life, either emotionally, in their workplace, or any social situation that may be affecting them.
I've worked with people who are struggling with work, relationship, midlife and confidence issues.
I see a variety of people of different ages and from different walks of life. My youngest client was 30 and, so far, my eldest has been 74!
Sometimes I'll suggest a website, book or some materials I've found helpful. I especially like the 'cycle of change' concept as pretty much any individual, at any time in their life, is on that cycle. It can be reassuring for a client to chart their progress.
I find it completely fulfilling and rewarding. I love meeting new people and I love to sit with them and help them untangle some of the issues they bring.
It's hard when a client doesn't make as quick progress as they'd like. I sometimes feel responsible for that. But I remain clear and continue to support the client until change happens.
Take full responsibility for one's own actions.
Coaching is still quite new, at least life coaching is, so I'd like people to know that it's not therapy. It is solution-focused, regular support and intervention to help a client move boulders out of their way in order to see the view that they want.
I've been so lucky with my clients, they have mostly been so engaged with the work. But one client, was so ready for change that after the first session he was so motivated that he began clearing - metaphorically and physically - the debris from his life that was preventing him from finding his way to the job he really wanted.
Jan Thompson