Even if every coach had very similar life experiences and professional training, every coach has their own specialist topics, skills, style and personality. No two coaches are the same, even if there are some overlaps.

Like in therapy, almost all studies I have read in the UK about workplace and/or personal coaching suggest that the relationship, rapport, and trust between the coach (that’s me) and the coachee (that might be you) is the largest factor determining if, how and to what extent coaching results in what you’re hoping for.

Any good, professionally trained coach will be happy to exchange information about themselves and their work in emails (if that’s accessible to them) and will likely have similar on their website – all useful for starting to figure out if you would be a good fit for one another.

However, professional coaches who want to make sure they’re a good fit for their client and vice versa will also offer (in whatever format is accessible to both) a consultation (sometimes called “a chemistry session”) to see if you’ll get along – without pressure to say if you’d like to go ahead on the day.

Perhaps, like me, before you work up to a consultation – especially if interacting with people takes energy or doesn’t come easy at times – you’d like to get some more information about what a potential coach is like, it pays to look for/ask for some client testimonials.

In 2025, I will have one third fewer coaching slots available. I will only be offering a maximum 8 coaching slots a week across Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

My first limited availability in 2025 is already taken up until mid-February now.

I am doing this to manage my energy, build up my “spoon reserves”, and ensure I have time and energy for my own self-regulation, professional development, and…developing my research and coaching services for using narrative and role-playing games (e.g. Dungeons and Dragons) in the coaching space.

For this reason, I’m creating a post here with a bank of testimonials from the last few months so that you can see more about what others think about me and if/how I helped them. This allows you to know a bit more before you decide to spend any spoons on a free consultation with me.

Here are some things people shared this year… (I don’t share my client’s names for ethical reasons but these are genuine feedback pieces I have received – also, these clients are all ADHD and/or autistic people)

“I am convinced that what Becci does is absolute magic. Becci helped me build my self-efficacy and self-advocacy skills, improved my self-confidence, and gave me tools and frameworks to help myself….As an autistic person, I’ve always found the prospect of coaching difficult…Becci supplements the traditional aspects of coaching with evidence-based research and lived experience. It’s fair to say that I am living a much better, fuller, and more authentic life with much less stress thanks to the skills that I learned in coaching with Becci.“

“I’ve had huge insight into emotional regulation. I’ve allowed myself to lean into and feel certain emotions. I’ve been able to write more, and have given myself permission for the ups-and-downs…I’m not burning out and am enjoying things a lot more. I’m following my interest and my curiosity. I am a curious person but I wasn’t allowing myself to access that. And I’ve learned that leaning into my curiosity helps me with my anxiety. Eff it, I’m just going to be me. It’s been a revelation. I can talk to you about anything and it’s met with kindness, humour and knowledge. The coaching has been so much more than expected.”

“That [session] was really helpful thank you. You are excellent at what you do!! I’m looking forward to reading your notes from today. Just wanted to say thank you again – I’ve told my support worker how fantastic you are and how well you understand me and my way of thinking/ communicating…I know it’s nice to get good feedback so wanted to share.”

“Becci has transformed the way I understand the relationship between my time, tasks, and emotions. She helped me to implement long-term strategies for coping with procrastination, which I now know is [for client] a freeze response from overwhelm due to being an Autistic woman in academia. With Becci’s guidance, I feel more confident in setting realistic goals, planning to meet those goals, and (most importantly) saying no to requests which derail me. Becci’s is warm and open, balanced with evidence-based methods grounded in the latest psychological research. Thanks, Becci!”

If you would like to find out – without any pressure – if we could get along and collaborate on what you could work on with me and see if that professional chemistry is there between us, you can ask for a consultation on yourcoach@thequirkybrain.coach.

Then, if you do decide, after reflecting, you would like to work with me, I can put you on a holding space on the waiting list (which you can release at any time without consequence if you change your mind).

I hope this post has given you a few insights into what to think about when choosing a coach, and has also allowed you to start knowing a bit more about what people think of me, if you’re interested!

I’ll update this post with further testimonials as they come in.

All best wishes and take good care,

Becci

Dr Rebecca Jackson (PhD, PPDip (positive psychology theory and coaching), PgCAP, L5 Coaching and Mentoring)

Positive Psychology Coaching Research Practitioner and… AuDHD coach specialising in energy, self-regulation, and executive functions (with post-diagnostic identity and authenticity coaching alongside where desired!)