Loretta Windsor-Mackenzie is a coach in Edinburgh and online


What attracted you to become a coach?

As a teenager I was always interested in why people did what they did, what influenced their behaviour, why they might be different for me and what you could tell about how a person feels from the small clues they give you. This led me to study psychology and philosophy at university. 

I had always had an intuitive experience of other people's emotions. When I was in my early 30s I found the research into highly sensitive people by Dr Elaine Aaron and it really fitted me and my experiences. My highly tuned senses, hearing, smell, taste touch and the intuitive inferences that I made from the combination of these enabled me to develop a high sense of empathy. 

I became more focused on working with people as a way of helping them achieve their direction and potential after my Masters in HRM. Coaching is something I was naturally drawn to and was practicing already in my life so to formalise focus on it was an easy decision. 

 

Where did you train?

As well as a degree in psychology with philosophy and a Masters in human resource management I trained at the Raw Horizons Academy which at the time was one of the only academies that offered wellbeing certified and accredited coaching with The Association of Coaching.

I then undertook a certified programme in mindfulness cognitive behaviour therapy through Mindfullybeing. I also hold a qualification in positive Intelligence/psychology from the international programme by Shirzad Chamine. 

 

What kind of coaching do you offer?

Wellbeing coaching enables individuals to find balance and achieve their potential by working productively and effectively to help individuals find energy, focus, direction, balance and purpose in their lives and careers. 

I offer coaching that is non-directional and tailored to the individual, including bespoke researched information and personal work for areas such as decision making, dealing with change, career progression, change, redundancy planning, assertive communication, boundary setting, work/life balance, stress and anxiety management, personal values and direction, reframing negative thoughts and processes, self esteem and confidence building all leading to happiness and fulfilment 


How does coaching help? 

I use the tools and experience I have gained to motivate, inspire and energise people to get more out of their life, face difficult decisions and move forward.

I have supported clients to find new job roles, pursue new career paths, start a new business whilst juggling child care, recognise their value and potential, deal assertively with bullying at work, procrastination, balance their personal ambitions and life with work and recover and refocus after burnout. 

Throughout the pandemic I also focused on anxiety management and support, teaching techniques and giving information to support clients ability to manage. 

In general, coaching helps people to understand and work through change and to be able to recognise their positive value. 

 

What sort of coaching clients do you usually see?

Professionals who want to progress or change careers and get a balance with their other ambitions in life. In addition those who want to learn assertive skills to deal with challenging people or situations both at home and work. 

 

What do you like about being a coach?

As a coach, I love supporting clients to find their potential and inner strength. It is amazing when someone begins to recognise their abilities, with a different perspective and the ability to use new tools to deal with the challenges they face.

 

What is less pleasant?

Administration!

 

What is one life lesson you try to live by?

In all things find balance.

 

What do you wish people knew about coaching?

That everyone can benefit from coaching support; it covers such a broad area and always focuses on moving forward.

 

Do you have a favourite client testimonial or particular success story?

Yes this from Matt Harwood June 2022 who applied the insight from our sessions very successfully. It was wonderful to witness his personal view of his ability and value changing so positively and his confidence and success growing:

“When I first got in touch with Loretta, anxiety and stress around my career froze me. Decision making was hard, energy was low, and I had so little clarity around where I wanted to go, and how I could get there.

I have a sneaky suspicion Loretta could see what was holding me back rather quickly - but her professionalism and expertise allowed me to see and breakthrough barriers at the exact pace I needed.

Loretta guided me through some life-changing insights and practices to enable me to think clearly and begin to respect my own wants and needs. So many old beliefs crumbled one after the other, replaced with fresh perspectives. Those perspectives ultimately enabled me to begin doing what I needed to do to move my career, and life, forward.

Recently, I started my new career in software development - after almost 20 years of thinking I wasn't good enough. My earnings have doubled overnight, stress levels have dropped through the floor, and I feel the most confident and happy I have in many years.

I cannot emphasise enough the impact Loretta's coaching has had on the direction my life will now take. Saying hello was the best decision I've ever made, and Loretta will be the first person I call when I look to level up again.”


Contact Loretta here

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