Hi, my name is Peter. I am an experienced
BACP and
BPS registered coach and counsellor, specialising in
meaning-centred, evidence-based wellbeing services.
I offer one-to-one coaching and counselling for individuals; and for employers, I offer executive coaching
and workplace wellbeing services, as well as training and compliance programmes.
Bookings are available - , Monday to Thursday, face-to-face or via Zoom, Google Meet, or
Microsoft Teams.
What does it mean to live well? What gives you purpose? When are you most fully alive? The psychology of
meaning affects every aspect of our wellbeing, I can help you find it.
Helping people find meaning is my passion, and my research has been
published in peer-reviewed journals. Through coaching or counselling, I can help you work out what you want from life, find your direction, and grow what gives you meaning, purpose, and
ultimately, happiness.
While the core of any therapy is a trusting working-relationship between client and practitioner, my
approach takes seriously those things which make you feel like you matter, which help you understand your
place in the world, and which drive you to higher goals and a sense of purpose. Even if you're not sure what
that is yet!
Books, videos, papers and more on meaning and its cultivation.
How can I find a coach or counsellor?
Personal Services
Whether you want to heal the past, understand the present, or build a new future, you don't have to do it
alone.
In a safe, non-judgemental, and confidential space, you are free to explore what life, identity, work,
relationships and more have to offer.
My practice focuses on cultivating character strengths, positive identity, and meaningful ways of engaging
with the world around us, so that you can move forward towards a better way of living.
Invest in your potential and create a meaningful future with coaching.
Counselling
Overcome struggles and build self-awareness with our therapeutic services.
Testimonials
What do client's say about my practice?
Does it work?
What impact and return on investment can you expect?
How can I build a meaningful workplace?
Workplace Wellbeing
Poor mental health is the number one reason for staff absence, and at least one in six workers are
experiencing common mental health problems at any time.
Whether you're a manager wanting to build a resilient team, a senior leader looking for executive coaching,
or want to get some training as an investment in your people and your businesses' ISO 45003 compliance, I
can help.
I offer workplace wellbeing workshops, training, and resources, as well as executive coaching for leaders at
every level of corporate or third-sector life.
See the range of workplace wellbeing training and workshop offers.
Executive Coaching
Lead with purpose and authenticity.
Strategy & Compliance
Wellbeing audits and preparation for ISO 45003 certification.
Wellbeing Action Plans
Take a simple proactive step toward staff wellbeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Below are some common questions relating to coaching, counselling, and workplace services.
Can't find the answer you're looking for? I'm happy to answer any questions you have -
get in touch today.
If you find yourself feeling unsafe or in crisis, contact your GP, ring 999, or go to your local Accident and Emergency ward.
There are many issues and situations coaching and counselling can help with, such as depression,
anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues, self-image, stress, self harm, bereavement and loss. The
reasons people seek therapy are highly individual. Get in touch and I can talk you through your
options with no obligation.
Yes! My practice is LGBTQIA+ owned, affirming and inclusive.
Yes, I'm always looking for ways to make my practice more accessible. Let me know your specific needs using the contact page.
Bank transfer is preferred but I accept all major debit and credit cards as well as cash and some
popular cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Monero for added privacy. I do not accept cheques.
Your first session is free! Individual sessions are £60 and I offer discounts for students, unemployed or those on fixed incomes.
Yes, I accept Bitcoin, Monero and other popular cryptocurrencies.
Yes. I offer coaching, counselling, workshops and training via all popular video conferencing
software.
Yes. You can view the working agreements for coaching and counselling services on the
documents page.
Working agreements help you and I set the boundaries and expectations of your sessions.
Coaching and counselling may look very similar but have very different aims and methods. An easy way
to think of them is that counselling deals with healing - whether that's healing from trauma, mental
illness or workplace stress; whereas coaching deals with development or enhancement - whether
developing skills, building character strengths or enhancing our sense of meaning and purpose in life.
Coaching is for anyone seeking to deepen their self-awareness, build new skills or broaden their
personal horizons, but the reasons people seek coaching are highly individual. Get in touch and I can
talk you through your options with no obligation.
Counselling is for anyone seeking healing and understanding of mental health concerns. Many people
seek counselling in times of pain, change and uncertainty, such as mental health problems,
relationship problems or the break-up of a relationship, depression, anxiety, work stress,
bereavement, insomnia etc. But the reasons people seek counselling are highly individual. Get in touch
and I can talk you through your options with no obligation.
You can ask your therapist any questions related to how they work and their training, their
professional memberships as well as their experience, but how you feel in session is most important.
Do your sessions feel comfortable and safe? Do you feel seen and understood? If not, it is
important to raise your concerns. A good coach or counsellor will acknowledge your concerns and work
with you to resolve them. If your concerns cannot be resolved your coach or counsellor can offer you
an introduction or signposting to other practitioners who may be a better fit.
I offer both fixed-term and flexible/ongoing coaching and counselling. Fixed-term services are between
4 and 26 sessions. If you're looking for sessions longer-term, flexible sessions might be the better
option for you. Although some therapy services make an estimate, I believe that this is not ethical.
Ideally, you will find the right time to end your sessions together with your therapists to ensure
that you are leaving with a positive experience of autonomy and independence. Most coaches and
counsellors offer regular reviews every 5-6 sessions to check how you are doing. It is not in the
interest of you or the coach/counsellor to encourage sessions for longer than necessary.
Personal services (coaching and counselling) are currently priced at £60 per 50 minute session.
Discounts are available for fixed-term bookings (e.g., a block of 6 sessions), students and people who
are unemployed.
I am registered with VitalityHealth insurance (provider SP108169).
You must arrange sessions through your insurer and not directly, as they must authorise your claim.
Workplace services are priced based on your organisation's size and charitable status. Get in touch
for a quote with no obligation.
Counselling sessions are usually weekly, in some cases bi-weekly. Coaching sessions are usually
weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. I do not recommend less frequent than this as it would not allow for
continuity which can make therapy less effective, however, this is entirely up to you and I to agree
on.
It is important to attend sessions regularly. If you need to cancel it is important to do this
at least 24 hours in advance otherwise you will have to pay for the missed session.
You can contact me via my email address or by WhatsApp, or phone. My contact details are on the
Contact page.
If contacting me by phone it is very likely that you will get through to voicemail. Please leave
your name and number and also indicate what times it is ok for me to contact you. This is especially
important if you are leaving a landline number that you share with others as I want to protect your
privacy. I will be touch within 24 hours and you can discuss your needs and availability. If you do
not hear back from me, please try again. All your details will be held in strict confidence.
Once you have arranged an appointment, I suggest that you reflect on what you would like to find out
about therapy, what you would like the therapist to know about you, and what is bringing you to
coaching or counselling at this time. That way you can both determine if you are a good match.
I am unable to offer couples coaching or counselling at the moment. However, I work with new associate
therapists, coaches and organisations all the time - check the team profiles page for more details.
I can only offer services to adults (18+) at the moment. However, I work with new associate
therapists, coaches and organisations all the time - check the team profiles page for more details.
If you think that your therapist is not the right match, raise this with him or her. If you don't feel
you can or don't want to, please make sure that you give them enough notice when cancelling your next
session. I always recommend giving feedback to your therapist about how you are feeling in therapy as
this gives your therapist a better insight what works and what doesn't and he/she can tailor their
approach to your individual needs better.
Check in with your therapist regularly about your progress. Sometimes taking the last few steps on
your journey on your own can be more empowering whilst staying in therapy for too long can become
frustrating. Your therapist's goal is always to help you not need therapy, hence, if you reflect on
your journey and where you are at will help you find the right time for yourself.
Some clients also like to keep a journal of their therapy process which can be very helpful.
It is important that you give at least 24 hours' notice in case you need to cancel your appointment.
No-shows are a loss of a session for someone else who might need it, and a waste of time and money for
your therapist. I will always try to accommodate you and in return rely on the courtesy of a
cancellation in case you have changed your mind or would like to rearrange.
How can I find a coach or therapist? Get in touch.
Booking & Contact
Free First Session
Book a taster session over phone, Zoom, or Google Meet. An initial call to get answers to any coaching or counselling questions you have, and get to know my practice.
Hi, I'm Peter. I'm a qualified, experienced, BACP and BPS registered psychotherapist and coach.
After starting my counselling journey at a local recovery charity I worked as a team-leader at the
mental health charity, Mind, overseeing the counselling and coaching services in the North West. I
went on to study on Europe's first Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology Master's degree, where
my research on the psychological benefits of a sense of meaning in life, particularly for young
people, was published in the European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology.
I now offer Positive Psychology coaching and person-centred therapy online and in-person in the
centre of Manchester.
I love my work and helping people lead more meaningful, flourishing lives is a constant joy. Whether
you're facing identity issues, struggling with change or on-going difficulties, or want to explore
the deeper aspects of life, my doors are open.
My Practice
My approach is positive, affirming, and asset-based which means we'll focus on building your
resilience, sense of meaning, and psychological skills to help you help yourself long-term. Our work
together is strictly confidential and non-judgemental. You are the expert on your life and your
experience, I'm here to spot patterns, ask the right questions, and reflect on what you bring to
sessions so that we can unpack what's going on safely and effectively. Sessions are typically 50
minutes, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, but if you have different scheduling needs we can work
something out. My practice is LGBTQIA+ and neurodiverse affirming and inclusive. I follow the BACP
Ethical Framework and have up-to-date insurance and ICO registration. I also have my own therapy,
professional supervision and I stay up-to-date with CPD.
Your First Session
Our first session together will be a no-obligation chance for us to get to know each other and for
us to establish what it is you want from counselling or coaching. We'll spend some time going
through our working agreement to make sure we're on the same page. I'll let you know all about my
experience and what you can expect if we work together (things like confidentiality, etc.), and you
can share what has brought you to the session today and ask as many questions as you have.
Ultimately, your first session is for you to decide whether me and my approach to our work is what
you're looking for. If so, we can make further arrangements. If not, that's not a problem and I'll
be happy to provide recommendations and referrals where appropriate.
What I Can Help With
Abuse, Anger management, Anxiety, Bereavement, Cultural issues, Depression, Disability, Health
related issues, Identity issues, Infertility, LGBTQIA+ issues, Loss, Men's issues, Obsessions and
compulsions, Post-traumatic stress, Redundancy, Relationships, Self esteem, Self-harm, Service
veterans, Sex and sexuality related issues, Spirituality, Stress, Trauma, Work related issues
Coaching: Positive Psychology / Meaning-Centred
Counselling: Person-Centred (Humanistic)
Clients I Work With
Adults (18+), EAP
Delivery Methods
I work with clients online (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet) and in person at my premises in
central Manchester.
Pauline Howard
BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Level 7 qualified Coach (UCLAN).
Pauline is an experienced and professional leader and manager of people in both the public, private
and third sector. A Commissioned Provider to the Local Authority, Voluntary Sector, Education Sector
& Private contractors, Pauline is trained in cognitive behavioural therapy skills (CBT, CPCAB)
and Professional Supervision.
Pauline offers coaching, counselling, and professional supervision services.
Learn more.
My mission is to champion meaning-centred psychological services by making them accessible.
Meaning-in-life is a key component of psychological wellbeing. It can be the difference between an uplifting
career or a dead-end job, between a fulfilling relationship and being stuck in a rut, between languishing and
thriving. If we want to improve the mental health landscape for individuals and organisations, we must take
people's sense of meaning seriously and give people the tools to make life more meaningful.
Values
Affirming - My practice is accessible, inclusive, and takes what matters to you seriously
without judgement.
Safe - My practice upholds the highest standards of safe and confidential practice.
Effective - My practice is evidence-based and produce results clients want.
I make sure my practice is living up to these values through continuous professional development and client
feedback.
Day
Hours
Monday
-
Tuesday
-
Wednesday
-
Thursday
-
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Personal appointments are currently available within 10 working days of
enquiry.
For workplace service availability, contact us to discuss your
needs.
Below are some of the practices in place to ensure good hygiene. If you are in a vulnerable group or have any
need or concerns, please discuss this with me before your session. I offer sessions online if you would prefer
not to meet face-to-face.
Please do not attend your session if you feel unwell, have any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in contact
with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Do not rebook your session until after
you have self-isolated.
Before your session
I will discuss any additional safety needs you may need/want.
I will have carried out a risk assessment on their premises and can share this with you at your request.
I will ensure that any touch points and surfaces are cleaned before each session.
Note that access to facilities such as toilets may be restricted. I will tell you if this is the case for
their premises.
During your session
I will be able to provide anti-bacterial hand gel.
I will not be able to provide refreshments. Please feel free to bring your own.
Social distancing will be adhered to at all times during session. If my premises do not allow for social
distancing, I will let you know beforehand.
My premises will be well ventilated where possible.
After your session
I ask that you take any belongings, including any tissues or refreshments, with you.
We've all wondered about the meaning of life, but the meaning of our individual life is just as important.
Meaning in life has three main characteristics:
Comprehension - a sense that your life and your place in the world make sense.
Significance - a sense that we matter and that our lives are important.
Purpose - highly motivating, long-term goals.
Of course, these aren't the only things that make our lives meaningful, but they are useful central aspects we
can work with in coaching and counselling.
Our approach is non-judgemental and client-led. This means that your frame-of-reference, your experience and
understanding of your life and the situation, is considered the "expert" opinion. Your coach / counsellor is not
there to prescribe or diagnose, instead I use coaching and counselling skills to help you explore your
experience in a transparent, non-judgemental, and empathic environment.
Having a sense of meaning has many physical and psychological benefits. The evidence for the importance of
meaning in life is clear:
"MIL decreases substance misuse and need for psychiatric intervention, while 'strong negative associations'
exist between MIL and 'depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity and general psychological distress'.
Presence of MIL also increases life satisfaction and 'global psychological wellbeing, self-acceptation,
environmental mastery, and positive relations'."
Hughes & Lomas (2021); European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology
New research is published regularly in this field. If you are academically minded, you may like to check the
Journal of Positive Psychology and European Journal of Applied Positive Psychology for the latest research.
Our practitioners are trained in positive psychology and are not only experienced counsellors but active
academics in the field of meaning in life research. We take what makes you feel a sense of comprehension,
purpose and significance seriously and provide a non-judgemental space for you to explore what makes your life
most meaningful.
Below are some resources for you to learn more about the psychology of meaning-in-life:
I offer effective Positive Psychology Coaching in the heart of Manchester.
"For many, coaching is a life-changing experience that dramatically improves their outlook on work and life
while improving leadership skills. Coaching helps people tap into their potential, unlocking sources of
creativity and productivity."
Association for Coaching
Sessions last for 50 minutes each and are priced at £60. I offer coaching online through video-conferencing
software (Zoom etc.) or in-person in central Manchester.
Trust and a good working relationship are central to making progress in coaching. Our first session together
will be a no-obligation chance for you and I to get to know each other and for you to establish what it is you
want from the process. We'll spend around 20 minutes going through our working agreement to make sure you're
informed and comfortable.
Our coaches are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work under the
BACP Ethical Framework. All coaches hold an up-to-date extended DBS certificate.
Our coaching practitioners are trained in positive psychology and are not only experienced counsellors but
active academics in the field of meaning in life research. We take what makes you feel a sense of comprehension,
purpose and significance seriously and provide a non-judgemental space for you to explore what makes your life
most meaningful.
"Am I living in a way which is deeply satisfying to me and which truly expresses me?" - Carl Rogers
I offer confidential help with any personal issues affecting work, self-esteem, relationships, sexuality, race,
identity issues, mental health and general well-being.
Our approach to counselling is person-centred. Every person is unique - this includes our experiences and our
needs. I do not believe in a 'one size fits all' approach to therapy. Trust and a good working relationship are
central to making progress in coaching and counselling. Our first session together will be a no-obligation
chance for you and your therapist to get to know each other and for you to establish what it is you want from
this process. You'll both spend around 20 minutes going through our working agreement to make sure you're
informed and comfortable with the process.
Sessions last for an hour each and are priced at £60. I offer counselling online through video-conferencing
software (Zoom etc.) and in-person in central Manchester.
Our counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work under
the BACP Ethical Framework. All coaches hold an up-to-date extended DBS certificate.
I can help you make the changes that you want in a confidential, calm, and non-judgemental way. Please feel free
to contact me to explore more about what service you feel would best suit your needs.
"So good. Great rapport and I always come away from coaching invigorated." - C.B. (Coaching)
"Totally got it, the results speak for themselves. Well worth it." - L.J. (Counselling)
"It took me a few sessions to get deep into what I was thinking but being able to have the space to look at what my life means is incredible!" - C.L. (Coaching)
There is lots of evidence for the benefits of coaching and counselling, though both are highly
personal, and the more you are willing to engage in the coaching process the more
you will get out of it.
80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70%
benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective
communication skills. Other studies show that coaching and talk-therapy is effective in reducing
procrastination and facilitating goal attainment, work attitude, improving wellbeing,
coping skills, and self-regulation.
Is coaching cost effective?
Yes, but coaching requires personal effort, the more you are willing to engage with
the process the better your results will be. While I cannot make any guarantees
about your individual return on investment, the ROI for coaching has been reported
at between 221% and 788%. The most commonly reported return on investment is
700%, while 86% of companies report that they recouped their investment on
coaching and more.
Whether you're looking to help your team beat the post-lockdown blues, build resilience, or handle stress, our
bespoke and off-the-peg workshops and trainings are for you.
Did you know that looking after your team's mental health is part of your duty of care as an employer? 17m
people in the UK suffer from a common mental health concern. Our workshops and trainings provide you and your
people with the knowledge needed to tackle issues head-on and thrive.
"Fostering employee wellbeing is good for people and the organisation. Promoting wellbeing can help prevent
stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive. Good health and
wellbeing can be a core enabler of employee engagement and organisational performance.""
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development
Workshops
All workshops can be adapted to timings between 1 hour and 1 day (i.e., 8 hours).
Workplace Wellbeing
Managing Stress
Making Work Meaningful
Digital Wellbeing & Working from Home
Returning to Work Well
Team Building & Relationship Management
Mindfulness
Having Mental Health Conversations at Work
Training
Mental Health Awareness (half-day & full day)
Mental Health Awareness for Senior Leadership Teams (half-day)
Creating Meaningful Workplaces (half-day)
Workplace Wellbeing Champion Training (full day)
Developing Wellbeing Action Plans for Managers (half-day)
Bespoke Packages
Our team of coaches and counsellors love to create trainings and workshops tailored to your specific needs.
Get in touch for a custom project plan with no obligation.
Costs
Our offers are flexibly priced based on the size of your organisation and the required timings. Half-day is
equivalent to 3.5 hours, full-day is equivalent to 7 hours.
Want to maximise your development, find your leadership style, or just want a sounding-board for those difficult
ideas? Our team are pioneers in the field of coaching psychology.
To see our coach profiles, visit our about us page.
Executive and leadership coaching offers are limited and bespoke. For a custom coaching programme,
get in touch today.
Creating an effective staff mental health and wellbeing strategy is central to your duty of care. Our Wellbeing
Audit gives you the information you need.
With 17m people in the UK experiencing a common mental health concern today, having an understanding of your
employees' needs is essential. I offer an effective, sensitive and evidence-based wellbeing audit to get you
ahead of the curve on potential wellbeing risks, gaps in policy and implementation, and opportunities for
maximising staff resilience.
Our comprehensive Wellbeing Audit offer includes:
Self-Report Staff Feedback & Review
Peer-Reviewed/Validated Assessment
Policy and Implementation Review
Wellbeing Risk Assessment
Actionable Recommendations
Workplace Wellbeing is important to us, and our wellbeing audits are designed to be accessible to organisations
of any size, especially in terms of price. I also offer discounted prices for charities and community groups.
Get in touch to discuss your organisation's needs, today.
Don't wait until problems arrive; small, practical steps today can make all the difference tomorrow.
Mental health is the number one reason for staff absence. Helping your people stay well is a win for everyone -
who wouldn't want to work in a well workplace?
For managers I offer training on developing wellbeing actions plans that work for your context. For wider teams
I have a range of workshops on topics from managing stress to having mental health conversations at work.
I can also develop and deliver bespoke wellbeing actions plans for your organisation, or deliver existing WAPs
from the mental health charity, Mind, as a neutral, sensitive third-party.
Workplace Wellbeing is important to us, and our offers are designed to be accessible to organisations of any
size, especially in terms of price. I also offer discounted prices for charities and community groups.
Get in touch to discuss your organisation's needs, today.
