 |
Trevor out of work hours |
|
Client testimonials |
|
Trevor on the BBC |
|
Free email newsletter |
|
Code of ethics |
Client success stories and testimonials
Take a look at the positive things clients have said about their coaching experience – be it life coaching, career coaching or executive coaching. Just click on the link that interests you.
CAREER CHANGE COACHING
"Before I started my coaching with Trevor I was completely at a loose end, I had just sold my business and didn't know where to go from there. I also felt absolutely fried by the experience of selling the business so I wasn't in a fit state mentally either.
"Trevor helped me enormously. What I wanted was to be able to see where I wanted to go next, personally and professionally. With Trevor's guidance I was able to marshal my thoughts coherently, identify all my strengths and my skills. Together with work on what I wanted personally, we used all this information to focus me clearly on my future. I am now very happy with my new career as a wedding photographer; more importantly I am clearly focused on where I am and where it is taking me.
"The sessions themselves were very enjoyable, almost every one resulting in a break through, me saying at some point "that’s it!" The relief and excitement of achieving clarity is wonderful.
"I have no hesitation in recommending Trevor; he helped me achieve what I wanted in what felt like a very short time."
By Neil Walker, London (www.neilwalkerphotography.co.uk)
"I decided to contact Trevor when I wanted to change careers but wasn't sure how or where to start. He helped me understand more clearly where my talents lay and what I would enjoy doing the most. The regular sessions were a strong motivation for taking action and Trevor was always receptive and encouraging to whatever new ideas I had!
"What surprised me about coaching was that it didn't provide all the answers I'd been looking for. It actually opened up more areas of enquiry, but with Trevor's encouragement I was able gain perspectives I hadn't considered before. As a result I've found the courage to leave full time employment and go freelance, and generally reconsider my priorities. Life seems more exciting and fresh now than it has in a long time!"
By Juliette, TV Production Assistant, London
"When I began career coaching with Trevor I knew I wanted to be doing a different job, but I had no idea that a year later I would be beginning a completely new career, with the certain knowledge that it is both what I am perfectly equipped for and really want to do. Trevor has been alongside me at every stage of this transition, offering quietly professional commitment and persistence coupled with an excited belief that we were heading somewhere really worthwhile.
"The coaching process immediately bore fruit as I gained confidence from being aware of my strengths: I was then able to weigh every decision about my future against a growing, pragmatically-grounded sense of those things I loved to do and how I wanted to do them. I was then able to approach the search, application and interview for my dream job with real conviction, certainty and, ultimately, joy!
"I have learned a huge amount from working with Trevor, not least from watching him in action: seeing his kindness, humour and integrity at work in his coaching is a very vivid example of how we excel when we have the courage to do something that we love. He is very, very good at what he does."
By Emma, 32, Brighton, former university administrator, now a marketing agency copywriter.
"Trevor at times, is a sponge, a trampoline and a mirror. He absorbs all that he hears, he bounces some of your own thoughts and questions back to you, and he helps you look at yourself from 360 degrees. Most importantly, he helps you identify your strengths and the disciplines that enable you to succeed in what you really want."
"I thought coaching would give me answers to certain questions, but boy was I wrong: Trevor helped me look inwards and to begin with, gave me more questions than answers !! Now I have a completely new outlook and direction in my career; and I know it is what I want !! Getting there is now a new challenge, but one I am both enthusiastic and determined to rise to."
By Mr Witts, Amsterdam, The Netherlands former I.T team leader now a recruitment consultant.
“I first started thinking about seeing a life coach because I was unhappy in my present job, and didn’t like the way my career was going. I had fallen into something which I really did not enjoy. Trevor helped me to understand myself better and ultimately to understand why my job was never going to bring me satisfaction.
"As a result, my journey through life has taken a dramatically different direction. I have quit my job, with nothing but the confidence (that Trevor helped me develop) that I will find the right thing for me at the right time. It was a very liberating experience and I now look forward to the future with real excitement.”
By Jayne, Brighton, former H.R. executive now a University lecturer
"Working with Trevor has given me the space to determine what is important to me in life and the confidence to recognise and acknowledge my own strengths and skills. Rather than feeling trapped in a job that I’m not suited to and in which I don’t feel I thrive, I’ve found that it is possible to discover what I really want from my working life and come up with a plan to achieve it.
"I never felt pressurised to commit myself to any decisions when working with Trevor and felt free to explore all avenues without the fear that I’d be laughed at for foolish pipe dreams. This allowed me to open my mind to all possibilities and I’ve learnt that success means something different to everyone. I’ve been able to apply the skills that I’ve learnt with Trevor to other areas of my life and feel that I’m now in control of my own destiny!"
By Janet, Sussex who gained a promotion shortly after the coaching finished
“As someone who is not naturally reflective I have found coaching with Trevor really beneficial. It has really helped to have someone reflect back to me patterns in what I am saying and to ask quite challenging questions that help me to really think about why I am leaning in a particular direction on an issue. This comes partly from having a good relationship with Trevor, we have a good rapport and I respect his views, he has a real gift for listening and for reflecting back his impressions.
"As someone who uses talking as part of my thinking process rather than presenting thought through ideas, people can often draw conclusions too soon from what I am saying. Trevor is always very perceptive in his conclusions.
"Trevor has been very supportive particularly helping me to keep my perspective when I didn’t get a job that I had applied for and helping me to properly reflect on what had happened and to think about next steps. I have really enjoyed my coaching, it has really helped me to reflect more generally and to have direction in an area that I find quite difficult to find specific actions on."
By Liz, fundraiser, London
LIFE COACHING
"I was left a small amount of money in a will and I wanted to spend it on something different that would be of use for years to come.
"Most of my life had been one of frustration in one form or another. Often I found myself going around in circles.
"I felt I was in this state of permanent flux and wondering why some others seem to find it all much easier than me and just how are some people not bothered at all?
"I now have a powerfull sense of direction of where I want to be in the future and by working to my strengths it all seems now quite simple to do and attainable.
"During some sessions it was like starting to wear a perfectly fitting and comfortable item of clothing after wearing something that was rough, scratchy and badly fitting.
"It's been great to find the ‘me inside’ and to realise that what I always thought were out-of-step, redundant qualities and abilities, are in fact a highly valuable part of me.
"To not wake up during the night with those repeating thoughts going around and around in my head – what a blessing. Apart from that and a whole change of how I work, I am just so much happier. It is such a relief that apart from any other benefits, just me being happy on it’s own made coaching worthwhile. "
By Ross, Brighton
"When I started coaching with Trevor 9 months ago my life was in turmoil from a business and personal point of view. My confidence was at an all time low ebb – not good when you are an entrepreneur!
"Although I had been successful I hadn’t been happy in my last business. I didn’t really know why. I didn’t want to make the same mistake again. Initially Trevor helped me to keep focused and end my business partnership.
He helped me to realise what my personal and business values are and why they didn’t fit in with my last business. This has proved to be inspirational to me – almost priceless knowledge. I can’t believe I have gone through over 20 working years without knowing this.
"It has helped me to find a new business that fulfills these values. It has also helped me to rebuild my marriage which was “rocky” to say the least. The business I run with my wife is also moving forward again."
Colin, Bedfordshire
"I think the coaching has made a huge difference to me and I certainly feel much more in control. I am actually amazed by how much better everything now looks having changed my perspective and I am very grateful to you for your help."
By Linda, fundraising director
"A lot has happened since we last met. I took voluntary redundancy from my employer and then re-trained over the summer months as a Personal Trainer and Sports Masseur. I am now trading as "Speedy Duck Personal Training" and loving every minute of it.
All of my friends and colleagues are totally amazed (and quite envious) at my change in direction and how happy and relaxed I now am. Personally I have not been so content for many years and am more "hungry for life" than ever.
I accredit this totally to your good guidance since without your help I would not have been focused enough in my decision making to make the few
vital changes that set things in motion. Thank you!"
From Colin, Hampshire
"Working with Trevor over a period of several months has been invaluable at an important stage of my life, and has enabled me to take critical and constructive decisions that are already leading to a better & more balanced future. Using both a systematic and strongly intuitive approach, I have been able to think through different areas of my life.
"I have never felt pressurised at any time to make choices that weren't my own and indeed Trevor deliberately changed the pace of the coaching at a particular stage when I was under pressure at work. On the contrary, his coaching has enabled me to see and take control of my own destiny, prioritise actions and to see my life as a whole. Trevor has shown strong personal commitment to me as a client and I have been particularly impressed by his encouragement and his ability to follow through on actions after each session."
By Luke, London
“Before I started talking to Trevor I couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. Trevor has managed to guide me to that light by questioning, advising and caring. The main reason I decided to talk to a life coach is that I wanted to move forwards in my life – Trevor has certainly been a major influence in me doing that. Thank you Trevor, I feel on top of the world!”
By Ms S.N., media executive, London
"Coaching provided me with the opportunity to slowdown and understand why I think, say and act in the way I do."
By Stuart, business owner, Sussex
“I went to Trevor when I realised I simply couldn't make my mind up about what it was I wanted. Trevor got to the root of my conflict and explored it with a clarity I couldn't hope to have achieved without him. Don't think it's easy-going; it isn't. He gives you homework. He asks you those knotty questions which make you examine those bits of you that don't often see much light. He'll raise things you might feel more comfortable not looking at. And if you're like me he'll find things you never knew about yourself.
"I could make it all sound sugary and say he solved all my problems - but it wasn't like that. He helped me find the confidence and the insight to deal with my conflict. For me, that involved choosing a path without having crippling regrets about NOT choosing the OTHER path. I chose - and I am happy with my choice. I don't know that I could have asked for more than that in my wildest dreams.”
By Mr. O. Gray, theatre producer, Yorkshire
“After years of making negative decisions (moving away from things I didn’t like), I’ve started to identify goals and make commitments towards achieving them. That’s a fundamental shift for me. Getting Trevor involved was timely and the process was energising. I always felt that he had my own particular and individual needs in full focus.
"Coaching is a rigorous process. You have to be ready to apply yourself, and prepared to confront the ‘invisible barriers’ that are holding you back. It can be difficult facing up to the things that you’re not very good at. But drag them out into the open and they soon seem a lot less scary. And when you start to do something about changing them, it’s genuinely liberating.”
By Lisa, Copywriter & Marketing Consultant
"Trevor helped me focus on some important issues at a time in my life when my thinking was clouded by illness. I gained clarity, confidence and a new direction from working with Trevor."
By Gordon, Brighton
"Life coaching is all about taking action. The life coach sets realistic goals after discussion, so you both really know where you're coming from and what’s important to you. There's nothing that you don’t want to do. It's challenging but not scary. I feel a lot happier and a lot more in control as a result: it's taken me to where I want to be. Trevor Cousins is fabulous! He is kind, always positive and considerate to my feelings or fears. Trevor is empathetic and intuitive. Trevor is understanding and professional and flexible enough to fit in with me.”
By Claire M, London
"I feel energised by both the process of Life Coaching and the skills of Trevor as my coach. He has helped me to unravel the spaghetti in my head in a way which is calming and creative at the same time. The homework between sessions is as important as the session itself. Now I have found Trevor as my coach, I am taking control of my life at last!"
By Diana, university professor, Birmingham
“Trevor and I found each other at a crossroads in my life. I was very stressed and uncertain about what I wanted to do. It seemed easier to go on being unhappy than to face the enormous challenge of change. I had a completely open mind about life coaching, and although we had never met, we had a common link, and that encouraged me.
"Trevor was unfailingly kind, he never put me down (I did enough of that on my own), and he encouraged me to look at things in a different way. He found so many positive things about me and about my life; he asked me questions I couldn't readily answer, which was difficult to start with, but made me think about things I would rather not think about. He also gave me unfailing support at a time when I felt beleaguered with the way my life had become. Sometimes, you have to do something different; you are the only one who can change your life and it is no good expecting things to just happen.
"I am by no means complacent that I have found all the answers and I know I have difficult times to come, but I know that Trevor will be there for me. Even though my course finished some months ago, I have made big changes to my life, and I am still in touch with Trevor, who still gives me another angle on things. I can heartily recommend talking to him - a 'phone call is all it takes to put you on the path to change.”
By Judy, Gloucestershire
“Life Coaching helps me see the wood for the trees. I have so much more clarity about where I want to go and why, and importantly how to get there. If you have the courage to dream, this can make it happen.”
By Diana, Leicestershire
LEADERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE COACHING
"At the suggestion of my boss, I embarked somewhat tentatively on a programme of coaching, with the aim of progressing to a senior level within my career. I had plenty of preconceptions but little real understanding of the coaching process. By the end of my first meeting with Trevor I could see that this was something that would work for me.
"Trevor's approach ensured that our sessions, whilst flexible and relaxed, remained focused and outcome orientated, something that was important to me. We worked through a range of techniques, identifying tasks and actions to progress the issues we discussed. The reflective process, about which I had initially been sceptical, was firmly rooted within a cycle of action and development, and I found that the tangible benefits were immediately apparent.
"As Trevor encouraged me to question my motivation, including my reasons for engaging with the coaching programme, I began to re-evaluate other aspects of my life, and recognise the impact of my career decisions and aspirations on these, and vice versa. Having come to the end of my initial period of coaching, do I feel more focused and confident in my career? Yes. But perhaps more importantly, an unexpected outcome of the programme is that I have achieved more balance within my life as a whole. My career is one aspect of that, and an important one, but I'm now taking other factors into account in my decision making. I can now see that if that dream job is a long commute away, means that I'm working evenings and weekends, and can never really 'switch off', then it isn't really my dream job at all.
"Whilst working with Trevor I applied for and was offered a job that hit all my career progression buttons. For the first time ever, I took other factors into account in making my decision, and I declined the offer.
"As the programme progressed, I began increasingly to look forward to and value my sessions with Trevor. His calm and positive approach, and open and relaxed style, meant that our time was always both enjoyable and productive. I would thoroughly recommend Trevor to anyone who feels they have come to a crossroads - he has a real talent for bringing out the hidden strengths you never knew you had!"
By Sarah, Deputy Director, Brighton
"I am so very much happier in my job - and life in general (I feel as though I have been on a journey of self-discovery) - since having the coaching sessions with you. The coaching opened my mind up to new ways of thinking and raised my awareness of the fact that not everyone sees the world from the same viewpoint. That was probably one of the most valuable lessons that I have learned as it has certainly helped me to get things into perspective (scale down worries, for example) as well as realise that there are always several different approaches that can be taken in order to deal with problems. I feel that I have also gained confidence in myself and this has made me more contented generally.
"I was intrigued by the Myers-Briggs personality types book and am still referring to it. I find it helpful if I'm feeling a bit stressed as remembering how and why I react to situations helps me bring everything into proportion once again. The preferences book is also helpful. I liked being set homework to do as this meant that I had to sit down and spend time thinking carefully about me and my values, rather than rushing around getting chores out of the way. The self-reflection time was important in my learning."
By female manager in the University sector
"Individual coaching sessions were very good. I was a little uncertain to begin with but the outcome has been great. It reaffirmed my strengths and built up confidence. I've also seen this with the rest of the team."
By Executive Account Director, marketing agency, Brighton
“I was greatly surprised by the accuracy of Trevor's insights - he really got to the core of what I'm all about. By confirming my own thoughts and clarifying my most important values, our sessions really helped me to realise that I'd be happier working for myself. Subsequently, I've taken the plunge and gone freelance.”
By Dan, copywriter
"Working with Trevor on uncovering my leadership styles and then looking at how and when I have been using them has been a fascinating journey, as I not only have more understanding of myself, I am also now able to clearly see the leadership styles of others being played out.
"To have clarity about what type of leader I am under certain situations has been extremely useful, it has helped me to be much more accepting of who I am and also to be able to recognize that in certain work conditions I can become the leader that I would rather not be! This means that I am now able to look to quickly change those 'negative conditions' that I am working with as I know what the resulting behavior will be in my leadership.
"It has been great to really appreciate the way in which I use a suite of leadership styles in the many varied work environments that I am in. It has
made me feel proud of myself.
"Thank you Trevor."
By Bunty Dann, Director, Brighton
“I’d been unhappy with my work for years but even though I knew I wanted a change, I felt unable to act. Talking to Trevor brought a huge change in a very short time, as he helped me to develop my own understanding of what I enjoyed and what I didn’t enjoy about work. I think Trevor is incredibly good at what he does: he doesn’t tell you what to do, but helps you to reach your own understanding about what you want out of life, and that gives you a good basis for feeling confident about what actions you should take to change things for the better.”
By female senior lecturer, Sussex
"As a result of working with Trevor I find myself more able to identify positive aspects and to learn from the past rather than simply criticising myself. More and more I find myself applying the kind of thinking learned in the sessions to situations that occur between sessions, so some situations which I might have found very difficult to address earlier in the year are less difficult, because working with Trevor has given me a range of strategies and tools to help me cope successfully. Also, my self-esteem (which is inclined to be somewhat low), has considerably improved. Another of the benefits of coaching is an increased awareness of, and confidence in, my strengths and abilities, and a much healthier perspective on my achievements and talents."
By Alison, Milton Keynes
"To be honest I had thought that coaching was for people who where weaker than me, who had somehow gotten into serious personal difficulties and could not cope with every day stuff. In other words I thought it was for “ other people”, nothing I would ever need to think about.
"Then a couple of things happened as they sometime do in life. I got a new boss at work, one I found, unusually for me, I could not handle and get on the same wave length with. Secondly, driving home some weekday nights I would hear Trevor talking about his work and some of his best practices with Dominic Busby on BBC Southern Counties Radio.
"Over the next few months the situation with my new boss continued to go down hill and it started to affect my home life, which with a young family and working wife was not ideal.
"On the other hand I was also starting to look forward to hearing Trevor on the radio and decided after a bit of soul searching to give him a call and find out a little more.
"We met up, discussed my position in some detail and agreed to give the coaching a go for an initial period, 6 weeks I think, long enough to give Trevor an opportunity to make some headway.
"In the end we worked together for 4 months and I can honestly say the process and eventual outcome was good for me. One comment I would make is that you get out of the process what you put in. For me that meant that half way through I started to become frustrated that I wasn’t seeing the way forward clearly enough. I told Trevor this and we changed approach and focus, looking for another way to get to the key issues.
"Looking back I think there are times in everyone’s life when you would benefit from a bit of outside, unbiased perspective on what your values are and how you try to manage them with the challenges of a busy life.
"My advice is to give it a whirl, after all you never know until you try…"
By David, Director of a global financial services company, south east England
"I had very limited management experience on entering my current role as head of a university support unit. I feel there are two key ways in which Trevor's coaching has supported me in this new role. First, he has helped me to identify the strengths that I bring to the position - that I do already possess leadership qualities that I wasn't aware of. Second, he has enabled me to recognise that, what I considered to be areas of weakness are, in fact, simply opportunities for development. I found the outcomes of the sessions gave me a mix of practical advice, that I could apply immediately to specific situations, and longer-term strategic goals to work on.
"The sessions provided me with the space to identify the important issues connected with my role and the support the team required (both from myself and from elsewhere).
"I would recommend coaching sessions with Trevor for any person new to a management position. Sometimes, sessions take you to places that are not always comfortable, but Trevor is quite brilliant at walking you through these places, knowing when to steer and when to let you find your own way."
By John D, university sector manager, Brighton
"Trevor Cousins has been an enormous source of inspiration and energy.
"I was stuck in a career rut which was affecting all aspects of my life and making it impossible for me to see the wood for the trees. I felt unable to move forward or realise my real ambitions and work plans. Trevor's patience and his ability to guide impartially through all the "red tape" has made me concentrate on what is actually important and to reassess my future.
"Trevor is a fantastic sounding board. He has a logic and wisdom which is incredibly useful to solve your work and life issues. As someone who hadn't even considered a coach, he was exactly what I needed, and a gentle catalyst in sorting out a whole career change.
"In the time I have seen Trevor, I have set up an entirely new and very exciting venture and am looking forward to using him in a regular advisory capacity in the future."
By Ms E Macpherson, Brighton, small business owner
