Find meaning in life

Evidence-based wellbeing services for you and your workplace.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy registered member number 375000
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What is The Meaning Coach?

Welcome

Peter's Headshot

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.

Tap the options below to learn more. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch and I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Meet The Team

Get to know me and my colleagues.

My Mission

Northern, LGBT, and making an impact.

Availability

Business hours and general availability.

COVID-19 Safety

Information for in-person sessions.

What is meaning in life?

How can I find meaning in life?

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!

Tap the options below to learn more. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details.

What is Meaning in Life?

What is it all about and why does it matter?

Resources

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.

Tap the options below to learn more. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details.

Coaching

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.

Tap the options below to learn more. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details.

Workplace Wellbeing

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 have an enhanced DBS check and I'm insured through Holistic Insurance Services.

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.

Email

peter@meaning.coach

I aim to respond to all messages within 1 working day.

WhatsApp

Send message

I can take bookings through WhatsApp and aim to respond the same day.

Phone

07434616121

I might be with clients during working hours, please leave your name and preferred contact method in a voicemail if I don't answer straight away.

Directory Listings

You can also find me on Counselling Directory and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's Therapist Directory .

Use the tabs below to read the team profiles.

Peter Hughes GMBPsS

MSc. Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology.

Dip. Therapeutic Counselling.

About Me

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.

Team Member Headshot British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy registered member number 236761
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

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

During your session

After your session

Additional information

You can download my COVID-19 Risk Assessment for additional information on our safety practices.

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:

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'."

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:

Books

Journal Papers

Websites

Videos

Questionnaires

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."

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.

Be sure to check out our frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details with no obligation.

"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.

Be sure to check out our frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details with no obligation.

"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)

Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch for further details with no obligation.

What sort of results and benefits can I expect?

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.

Sources

Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions page or get in touch to find out how coaching or counselling could work for you.

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.""

Workshops

All workshops can be adapted to timings between 1 hour and 1 day (i.e., 8 hours).

Training

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.

I offer a discount for non-profit, charity and community groups. Let me know your organisation's needs.

Employees £p/h
< 10 £250
< 50 £750
> 50 Price on enquiry

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:

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.

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