Body-aware coaching
in Morpeth, Northumberland, and online
If you're feeling stuck in patterns of overwhelm, stress, burnout or self-doubt, coaching can help you understand what's driving them and find a clearer, more sustainable way forward. Whether you're struggling with competing priorities, difficult decisions, constant pressure or the feeling that you're never quite good enough, I help you make changes that lead to consistent progress.
My 15 years of experience as a holistic therapist has shown me how the patterns we develop to cope with life can affect both our health and our ability to move forward. Left unchecked, they can result in chronic stress, anxiety, frustration and burnout.
Combining practical coaching with a body-aware understanding of stress and nervous system patterns, I help people feel calmer, think more clearly, trust themselves more fully and take confident action towards the life they want.
What is coaching and how does it work?
My interest in coaching grew from my work with therapy clients, where I became increasingly interested in the connection between how people felt physically and what was happening in their mental and emotional lives. I began to see how the patterns we develop to cope with life can affect both our wellbeing and the way we live.
Coaching isn't only for when life feels difficult. It can also be a powerful, proactive tool when you have ideas, ambitions or goals and want to make the most of them.
As your coach, I can be a thinking partner, helping you gain clarity, explore possibilities, challenge your assumptions and stay focused on the changes you want to make.
Coaching acknowledges that your life reflects the patterns you've been living
The way we think and act is formed by habits and beliefs that were often formed unconsciously. They shape our relationships and often dictate how things turn out for us.
What feels normal may not necessarily be most effective
They ways we respond to pressure, responsibility or change feel normal to us. We often repeat the same patterns without thinking about it - even if we're not getting the results we'd like.
Coaching helps you to change your patterns of thinking and reacting to create a different future
Rather than looking at individual issues, coaching helps you recognise what's driving your choices that lead to the same old outcomes.
Body-aware coaching acknowledges that change happens when the mind and body agree
The way we think and the way our body responds are deeply connected. Lasting change isn't just about changing your thinking; it's about helping your whole system feel safe enough to embrace a new way of being.
What you can expect from a coaching session
We can work together online or in-person.
Choose one, focused 90-minute intensive session...
... Or opt for regular coaching sessions at intervals to suit you
Bring a problem, a difficult decision or conflict ...
... Or bring your aspirations, goals and dreams
We'll untangle the thoughts in your head, and help your body get calm
You'll leave with tangible outcomes and a workable action plan.
Two ways we can work together
Choose the coaching option that's right for you:
Decision and Direction Intensive Coaching
90-minute focused session
Perfect if:
You have one complex problem
You need to untangle competing priorities
You need a decision or a plan
You need momentum
Walk away with:
Clear priorities
Practical next steps
renewed confidence
Cost: £150
This is a self-contained session designed to obtain specific results in 90 minutes.
However, should you decide to continue into a longer-term coaching partnership, there is s 50% reduction on the cost of this session
Coaching partnership
6 one-hour sessions
Perfect if:
You're creating significant change
You're launching a business or changing career
You're managing Neurodiversity or Highly Sensitive traits
You're learning boundaries
You're building healthier ways of working and relating
Benefits:
Each session builds on the last
Time to reflect, experiment and review results
Explore thinking and habits that are preventing progress
An opportunity for deep, lasting transformation
Cost: £390 for the series
Who is coaching for?
I work with people from many different backgrounds, but they often have something in common:
they're thoughtful, capable people who know something needs to change ...
... and they're looking for a different way forwards
People who recognise that their patterns or thinking and reacting are influencing their wellbeing
Neurodiverse and highly sensitive individuals looking for ways to make work and life more manageable
People who feel stuck, overwhelmed or caught in repeating patterns despite knowing what they "should" do
Change-makers looking for a way to turn a big vision into reality - without getting side-tracked or lost in complications
Thoughtful, values-driven people who feel conflicted and confused about important decisions
People looking for coaching that works with the whole person - the body as well as the mind.
What sort of issues do people bring to coaching?
You don't have to be struggling to benefit from coaching. We all develop ways of thinking, behaving and responding to life that help us get by. But they may not still be the best way for us to deal with life. What once was helpful, could now be outdated and keeping us stuck.
Here are some of the things my clients bring to coaching to unpack, explore and resolve:
You have loads of great ideas. How can you make more of them materialise?
Your mind is buzzing with inspiration, but turning it into action is harder.
It's time for your progress to match your potential.
You care deeply about others but how can you protect your own energy?
You keep saying yes to extra responsibilities. It's time to find a better balance between helping others and your own priorities.
People can rely on you, can success feel less exhausting?
You're the dependable decision-maker who keeps everything running. Now you want to figure out how to spread the load.
You're a deep thinker. Now you'd like to act more decisively.
You weigh up every option carefully. How can you stop your brain getting tangled up with possibilities and take action confidently?
You always do the responsible thing. Now it's time for a little more pleasure.
You've achieved a lot, but how can you make space to reconnect with what matters most and shape a life that feels more fulfilling and authentic?
You've tried loads of solutions. Now you're ready for change that actually lasts.
You've set good intentions before, then somehow find yourself reverting to old habits. How do you break the cycle?
A typical 6 session coaching journey
Every coaching journey is different because every person is different. We won't follow a rigid programme or work through a set curriculum. However, this illustration provides a typical example of the way a coaching journey unfolds
Many clients begin with six sessions, which gives us enough time to build understanding, try new approaches and embed meaningful change.
Session 1: Understanding where you are
This session is about laying strong foundations.
We explore:
what brought you to coaching
what you want to achieve
why it matters to you.
We agree:
how we will work together
what will help you get the most out of coaching
how we will recognise meaningful progress
By the end of the session:
we'll know where we are going and
we'll have agreed some practical goals for our work together.
Session 2: Finding a different way forward
We focus on one challenge that is impacting your life right now.
We explore:
where it shows up
the patterns beneath it
the unconscious assumptions that may shape your response
We agree:
practical experiments to test new possibilities
ways to prevent self-sabotage
how we will measure success
By the end of the session:
you'll be feeling less self-critical and more curious about how things could change.
Session 3: Learning from experience
This is where curiosity becomes one of our most valuable tools.
We explore:
what happened when you tried those experiments
how to assess results beyond success or failure
what we can learn
We discuss:
how you can be more compassionate towards yourself
ways you can support your own success
how to handle failure without giving up
By the end of the session:
you'll have a greater understanding of the steps that will take you where you want to go.
Session 4: Working with your body as well as your mind
We explore how your nervous system can sabotage your outcomes.
We consider:
whether you tend to freeze, panic or get overwhelmed
what's happening beneath the surface
practical strategies to interrupt those patterns
We agree:
what self-compassion looks like in practice
how you can find the tools that work for you
how will measure progress without criticism
By the end of the session:
we'll have made serious steps towards change that lives in your body and creates lasting change.
Session 5: Taking your learning into everyday life
We focus on how your learning will work in everyday life.
We consider:
how to apply your learning in everyday work and home settings
what to do when those places aren't particularly supportive
practical adaptations to help yourself cope - and how to handle negotiation
We explore:
what is realistic and achievable
how to remain true to yourself
what is non-negotiable
By the end of the session:
you'll have a clearer sense of how far you are willing to adapt and where your boundaries lie.
Session 6: Looking back and moving forward
Time to recognise how far you've come and what still lies ahead.
We reflect on:
the progress you've made
what young understand about yourself
the practical tools you now possess
We consider:
what challenges might still arise
how you can prepare for them
how you can continue to strengthen your ability to cope
By the end of the session:
we'll have made serious steps towards change that lives in your body and creates lasting results.
Questions people often ask...
Which coaching option is right for me?
Hilary Dancing offers two coaching options to suit your situation.
A 90-minute session is ideal if you have one specific issue you'd like to work through, need clarity on a decision, or want to experience my approach before committing to a longer programme.
The six-session programme is for deeper change. It gives us time to understand what's really driving your patterns, work with both mind and body, and help new ways of thinking and responding become established.
If you're unsure, book a free discovery call and we'll decide together what would suit you best.
Do you work online or in person?
Both.
Coaching sessions can take place online or in person in Morpeth, Northumberland. Some clients combine the two depending on what works best for them.
Do you work with neurodivergent or highly sensitive people?
Absolutely - Many of my coaching clients identify as autistic, ADHD or highly sensitive, while others simply recognise that they experience the world more intensely than those around them.
My approach is gentle, collaborative and adapted to how you think, process and communicate. There is no expectation to fit a particular way of working.
Neurodiversity is a theme in my own family, giving me both personal and professional insight into the different ways people think, process and experience the world. I'm also undertaking specific training to help me support neurodivergent clients more effectively.
How is coaching with you different from counselling?
Coaching focuses on where you are now and where you want to be. While we may explore past experiences when they're relevant, our work is centred on helping you move forwards.
My approach is also body-aware, recognising that lasting change often involves your nervous system and physical experience as much as your thoughts.
How many coaching sessions will I need?
Some people find that a single 90-minute coaching session gives them the clarity they need to move forward with confidence. And if you need another session later, you're always welcome to come back.
For others, the issues they're facing are more complex or have developed over a long period of time. In those cases, working together over several sessions gives us the opportunity to explore things more deeply and create lasting change.
We'll decide on the best starting point together, based on what you want to achieve. We'll review your progress as we go, and there's never any pressure to continue beyond what's genuinely helpful.
How does payment for coaching sessions work?
Payment for coaching sessions is made in advance to secure your appointment.
Six-session programmes are paid for upfront before we begin. This creates commitment to the process and allows us to focus fully on the work together.
What happens during the free discovery call?
A discovery call is a relaxed, no-obligation conversation where we explore what you'd like help with, whether coaching feels like the right fit, and which option would best support you.
If we're both happy to proceed, we'll arrange your first session.
Do I need to have a clear coaching goal before we start?
You do not ned to have a clear coaching goal before we begin our sessions. Many people come because they know something needs to change, but they can't yet put it into words.
Part of our work together is getting clear at the outset about what you want to achieve and why it matters to you. That allows meaningful change to happen.
Is coaching confidential?
Yes, everything we discuss in a coaching session is confidential. Creating a safe, trusting space where you can speak openly is an important part of my role as your coach.
The only exceptions are the rare situations where I have a legal or ethical duty to share information, for example if I believe there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else.
If your coaching is being funded by your employer, the arrangements are slightly different. We may agree to share general information about your progress or attendance, but the personal details of our conversations remain confidential unless we have agreed otherwise together.
I'll explain exactly how confidentiality works before we begin, so you'll always know what you can expect.
How coaching with Hilary Dancing has helped:
Real-life outcomes
From overwhelm to a month of LinkedIn content... in one afternoon
Ellis had taken so many courses and read so many books about marketing but she didn't know where to start.
Our 90-minute coaching intensive helped her identify her target client group and map out her priorities.
She left feeling clear and confident about what to do next.
From too many commitments to decision-making aligned with personal values and priorities
Marion had a key project that demanded full focus but she kept being pulled in all directions. She was frustrated and exhausted.
Over 6 weeks in our coaching sessions we worked together to help her identify the underlying beliefs that were keeping her stuck in a pattern of over-commitment.
Her decision-making became more intentional. She found ways to resist unhelpful demands on her time without damaging important relationships. This allowed her to prioritise her own needs as well as focus on the vital project.
Looking for something different?
Courses, workshops and talks - for you and for your organisation
I also work with organisations, community groups and professional teams, delivering talks, practical workshops and wellbeing sessions. If you're looking to support a wider group of people, or prefer to learn in a group setting rather than individually, I also offer courses and events throughout the year.
What my clients say about working with me
This was the most practical coaching session I’ve had. Absolutely ideal for someone like me with loads of ideas and a mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. I’ve come away with a practical action plan for the next few weeks. Hilary is very thought-provoking, hugely knowledgeable and very inspiring.
My body relaxed more deeply than it has in a long time and I could feel myself letting go of long-held tension. I left feeling calmer, looser, and more at ease. I would happily recommend Hilary to anyone struggling with persistent pain, tension, or stress.
I felt safe enough to explore things I don’t often put into words. I came away with new perspectives on how my body responds to stress and the world around me. I’d recommend her to anyone who feels highly sensitive, easily overwhelmed, or curious about understanding themselves more deeply.
Ready to find a different way forwards?
Whether the challenge is showing up in your body, your work or your personal life, help is at hand.
