Mindful coaching
Words Milly Nolan | Photos Michelle Holt
Warkworth local, Bree Nicholls, founder of The Being Way, offers a blend of counselling, psychotherapy, and mindfulness practices through her unique coaching framework. Bree works one-on-one with clients, holds regular group sessions, and trains people to become certified in The Being Way Method. She has a Bachelor of Counselling, is a certified and accredited ICF Coach and meditates daily.
What is The Being Way?
The Being Way is a style of coaching that blends coaching and therapeutic techniques. My colleague Katharina and I work one-on-one with clients, and I run regular groups and train people to become certified in The Being Way Method.
What led you to found The Being Way?
I started out in counselling as I wanted to get a thorough understanding of how to work with people safely. After I graduated with a Bachelor of Counselling I worked as a counsellor in a private practice and for Youthline and Epsom Girls Grammar School. Something wasn't feeling aligned in my work, so I pursued the corporate world instead, however, after five years, I returned to therapeutic work and set up a coaching practice. After gaining my certification in transformative coaching, I started incorporating the counselling techniques I had been trained in, and hence The Being Way Method was born.
Are there any life lessons that have helped you be where you are today?
In my younger days, I gained confidence by throwing myself in the deep end and saying yes to things that both scared and excited me. This has helped with the confidence needed in running a business. Experiencing several significant losses in my life has taught me that loss is an inevitable part of living. It's grown my understanding of grief, and how to hold space for others in similar circumstances. Going through stressful times has led me to more internal growth. I have found that the bigger the discomfort, the bigger the growth - provided I put the work in, and this growth impacts on the way I work with clients.
Why would someone benefit from coaching?
It is a different conversation than one you would have with a friend or a partner. Having a professional space just for you that is unbiased creates safety and supports people to explore what is right and resonant for them.
What can a client expect from a one-on-one session, and what outcomes may be achieved?
Coaching mostly takes place online. In the first session, we (the coach) work on creating a safe environment while the client shares the background of what has brought them here and what they are wanting. After listening to the person's experience, we ask questions that expand their awareness of themselves and the issue, until new realisations come to the surface. The process helps people get clarity on their next steps. The client then decides how they want to proceed. Usually, we work with clients weekly until they are ready to reduce. I find that the internal metamorphosis of a client feeds into other areas of their lives. Outcomes that we see are: aligned decision-making, increased self-worth and life satisfaction, healthy communication and boundary-setting, fulfilling relationships, and career and salary advancements.
What daily motto do you live by?
Live with your heart open.
Best advice you have ever received?
I found this piece of writing years ago, and the words still reach me in the same way. “Love the battlefield of life, for joy is always breathing secretly and openly in both your victory and your defeat,” - Sri Chimnoy.