Being at a complete crossroads both personally and professionally, I realised I needed a mentor to help me ‘figure out’ what I really want out of life.  I’m always the one holding it together for others and thought it’s about time I asked for help for myself – not an easy thing to do. Four months later I’m moving forward in every aspect of my life, every day.  Karen helped me to focus, de-clutter, face facts and really dig deep and figure out what I want, for myself.  She’s an amazing woman who I occasionally described as ‘scary’ because she often knew me better than I knew myself!  Thank you for being a guiding light.

Sughra Khaliq, Qatar

Karen:
I just wanted to say thank you.  For everything.  I really can’t put into words my gratitude for all that you have done for me these past 5 months. You have taught me to love myself, not how I think I should be or how someone else thinks I should be but exactly the way I am.  This was not an easy task…. but you did it.  Although the speed of my life and the mountain of my commitments only seems to increase and grow, with your tools I am able to handle it with more grace and patience than I ever thought possible.  You have become a symbol of comfort and centering for me.  When I see your Daily Kiss or receive an e-mail it just makes me smile and reminds me that everything will be ok.  When I see your name it reminds me of all that I have become and all that I am yet to be and that my potential is truly limitless.  I realize my journey is different than everyone else’s but I am okay with that.  Rome was not built in a day and neither am I.  I have faith that I will finish strong and never go back!  I have come too far, wanted this for to long and feel to amazing to fail.  I had no idea what this journey would entail when we started and that was a new for me.  Thank you Karen for teaching me to love myself more than I ever thought possible. A gift I can never repay you for.
Love Always,
Allison Flanigan, USA

Hi Karen…quick email at the end of my 6 weeks working with you to say a huge thank you for what you have helped me achieve. It sounds very corny but you really have changed my life. Apart from losing about a stone and looking better, I feel so much better. I feel more confident, more assertive and a great deal happier. From our 1st conversation I found you easy to talk to and so encouraging. It was also fun which I can’t quite believe I am saying… you have given me the confidence to continue on this path.

Jane Young, UK

‘Until relatively recently, I had limited understanding of the process of mentoring / coaching.

In the past, I had experience of counselling and other forms of therapy and had undergone a lot of personal ‘soul-searching’.  I also tried to find answers through reading self-help books and using other resources on phycology and spirituality – all of which were helpful and beneficial to me in different ways.

At the time I began working with Karen, I felt that my mind  had been filled with all kinds of helpful information, ideas and insights, but I was lacking the courage and  focus to incorporate them into my life in a useful and  beneficial way.

I feel that Karen truly helped me to ‘come home’ – to move away from the conflicting picture of my beliefs and ideas- from  living  my life as an artificial sum of my emotional problems, life dilemmas, financial worries, etc., etc. – to being me, just me – the ‘whole’ human-being dealing with whatever life brings day-to-day…

She helped me to discover the deeper foundation of who I am – the perspective from which everything just seems lighter and easier, and everything is possible!

I feel that I have a deep connection with Karen, and I am not just a receiver of a useful service. Karen is truly professional, experienced  and  knowledgeable about the useful techniques and other helpful resources, but, very importantly, I feel that her support to me comes from the person who is real and true, who is not afraid to be open and vulnerable, and who derives her wisdom and insights from her own, very human, life journey, rather than just text books and remote theories.

I find Karen’s approach to be so  ‘true-to-life’, which is very important to me at this stage of my life. What it means to me is being aware and open to whatever events, changes and challenges our lives present us with in an accepting and wise way and potentially transforming these experiences into beneficial and positive outcomes for ourselves and people around us…

Our lives, our thoughts, feelings and priorities are fluid and ever-changing… I feel that my work with Karen mirrors this so helpfully and so perfectly. The way she supports me is non-judging, sensitive and flexible – I feel I can bring up any issue that is on my mind at any time. She also has a unique gift of gently keeping me focused – sometimes with her words, sometimes – with just giving me space (and courage) to be myself and come up with the answers of my own…

The 6 months of working with Karen had been enormously beneficial to me.

Karen helped me realise that our aspirations is not something that is ‘set in stone’, they can be big or small, specific or more elusive, but they all are within our reach… Thanks to Karen’s support, I feel, truly, on my way on this journey…’

Katya Hvass, Qatar

I had just secured a new job following redundancy.  The job was at a higher level than I had done before, and I felt reasonably confident that I could do it, I had a certain amount of apprehension.  Although I had signed a contract, the job was not due to start for several weeks and I therefore felt that this was an opportune time to undertake some life coaching.

Karen’s response gave me so much confidence that I did not hesitate in signing up for an initial one month’s session with her.  What I also like was her flexible approach; not only to scheduling of sessions, but also how the coaching was conducted.  I prefer ‘one-to-one’ sessions, which she was quite happy to do, but she is also happy to use the phone or Skype; which was extremely helpful when we were in different countries.  I even had sessions with her whilst on holiday!

Karen’s knowledge is immense, even when confronted with a random question; she always has an instant and meaningful response.  She has a seemingly unlimited range of skills; I originally wanted Karen to help build my confidence that I had lost along with my sense of direction; and even after the very first session, I was back on track.  I was self-assured and had ambitions again!!  Karen explains solutions in a simple, easy to understand manner.  I always know that the advice she gives is good because it always makes total sense.

Karen’s coaching thoroughly prepared me for my new job; I was eager to start and look forward to working again.  However, she also helped provide me with a framework for dealing with situations as they arise and not only in the workplace, but in my personal life too.  She is not only my coach; she is now my confidante too.  I would have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone no matter what the situation.

Kate Bygrave, Qatar/Dubai