a bit about me
Hey there! I’m Kayla
ON THIS PAGE | A BIT ABOUT ME | THE WOMAN BEHIND THE COACHING | MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY & QUALIFICATIONS | CONNECT
Originally from Preston, I’ve spent the last eight years building a life in Carlisle and now proudly consider myself an honorary Cumbrian.
I’ve always been deeply curious about people - what drives us, how we connect, and why life can feel easy in some seasons and incredibly difficult in others. That curiosity led me to study Applied Psychology at Durham University, where I graduated in 2016. Although I initially planned to pursue a career in Clinical Psychology, time spent shadowing professionals helped me realise my path looked a little different. What mattered most to me was creating meaningful, human-centred support that felt grounded in real life - not simply theory, and that journey eventually led me to coaching.
Alongside my work as an NHS Organisational Development Practitioner, I now run my private coaching practice, supporting people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or tired of constantly pushing themselves to do more. My coaching is rooted in thoughtful conversation, reflection, emotional safety, and supportive accountability. I don’t believe people need to be “fixed,” and I won’t prescribe a path for you. Instead, I offer a calm, supportive space to help you understand yourself more deeply, find clarity, and make changes that feel realistic, sustainable, and aligned with your actual capacity. I believe meaningful growth happens through presence — not pressure.
Whether you’re navigating a life transition, feeling disconnected from yourself, or simply wanting a steadier, more intentional way forward, I’m here to help you build change that feels human, manageable, and lasting.
The Woman Behind the Coaching...
Family is at the centre of my world, and life recently became even fuller with the arrival of our second daughter. At the heart of who I am is connection - to the people I love, to nature, and to creating a life that feels grounded, meaningful, and real. I care deeply about relationships and believe that feeling safe, seen, and connected to ourselves often shapes how we show up in every other area of life.
Outside of coaching, I’m someone who finds a lot of joy in simple things. I’m a huge reader (you’ll find books in every corner of my house), and I love getting crafty with my daughter (even if half of the time we're just making a bit of a mess!) I feel most like myself when I’m outdoors - whether I’m in the garden, convincing my family to join me in the flowerbeds, walking somewhere scenic, or heading to the beach, nature is where I reset. I’ve always felt especially drawn to water, so St Bees is a favourite place of mine! (I also have a slightly unusual love for waterfalls and always enjoy discovering new ones with the family!) Fell walking is something else I enjoy doing, although it happens a little less often these days, with two little ones! One of my proudest mum moments was watching my then four-year-old complete her very first Wainwright... I’ve managed 10 myself, so far, so only 204 Wainwright adventures to go!
A more personal milestone for me was learning to run. For a long time, I never saw myself as “a runner.” It was something that I originally never imagined I could do. Then I started but I often found myself starting, stopping, and struggling to stay consistent. Eventually, with the support of a structured training app, I reached my goal of running 5k - and then went on to complete 10k, something I never imagined I’d do just a year earlier! That experience reminded me how often growth isn’t about becoming someone new, but about gently challenging the stories we hold about ourselves, building capacity at the right time, and learning what steady progress can look like. That belief shapes how I live, how I grow, and ultimately how I support others too.
My Professional Journey & Qualifications
I am an ILM accreditated coach & mentor and a registered member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council |
As a member of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), I am committed to maintaining high professional standards in my coaching practice. I adhere to the EMCC Global Code of Ethics, ensuring confidentiality, professionalism, integrity and respect in every coaching relationship.
Membership Number: 02120097
2016
BSc (Hons) Applied Psychology | Durham University
Gave me a strong, evidence-based understanding of human behaviour, motivation and change, which helps me to support my clients in understanding themselves more deeply, building self-awareness and creating meaningful, sustainable change that is authentic to who they are.
2016-2023
Exploring where psychology, human connection & meaningful support aligned most authentically with my values.
A time of exploration, life experiences, and self-discovery, during which I learned that not all journeys follow a straight line. These years gave me valuable life experience, deeper self-awareness, and clarity about work I felt truly called to do.
2023
Level 7 Leadership Through Transformational Learning Module | University of Cumbria
Explored contemporary leadership and transformational learning, developing a deeper understanding of how reflection, self-awareness, and challenged assumptions can support meaningful growth, stronger self-understanding, and lasting change.
2023-Present
Organisational Development Practitioner | NHS
Working alongside people navigating change, growth and challenge has strengthened my understanding of human behaviour, leadership and well-being, as well as the conditions that enable meaningful and sustainable growth and development.
2024
Level 7 Coaching and Mentoring Module| University of Cumbria
Represented an important step in my coaching journey, providing a strong theoretical foundation and practical experience that strengthened my understanding of coaching, reflective practice and how to support meaningful growth and development.
2026
Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching & Mentoring | ILM
Achieved formal coaching and mentoring accreditation through the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), a globally recognised professional body, reinforcing my commitment to professional, ethical, and evidence-based coaching.