Melanie Hoskin
is the founder of Life Coaching and Counselling in Dublin. Launched in 2015, specifically to help facilitate the growth of Tower Counselling & Life Strategies which was launched earlier in 2008. Life Coaching and Counselling in Dublin now facilitates a more diverse platform in terms of how clients access help, what help they need and the resources available to them before they take that step.
As a life coach and motivational speaker, Melanie has supported workshops and projects that embrace the whole concept of community and finding our place within this space. She is an advocate for social inclusion and community building. She works individually with clients at her private practices in Dublin and Cork, globally through Skype and/or phone.
She produces and presents the very popular self help show (Life Talk Live) on Dublin south FM, which is has been downloaded globally.
Melanie has also presented Purple Psychology Podcast, with resident Doctor Naoise O’Reilly, which was recently Shortlisted for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards.
Melanie is usually the one asking the questions, so lets see how she does! Any questions for Melanie? Send them to us via email and we’ll be sure to put them to her.
WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE LIFE COACHING INSTEAD OF COUNSELLING?
People do choose counselling, and work well with counsellors. I have developed working relationships with counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and doctors, who have diverse approaches and disciplines. I believe that matching client with therapist is essential and I have a huge referral database of therapists that I trust, so that I can facilitate this.
Life coaching isn’t a new concept, so when clients attend my clinic, they are no longer surprised at how the relationship works, how goal focussed processes work, and how quickly they can see a change. I suppose the expectation has changed too, and clients feel very empowered by the process. Life coaching is a very practical process, this tends to resonate with personalities that value the need to be pro-active. Basically Life coaching, places emphasis on creating awareness, personal responsibility/strenghts, and being proactive. Counselling is a lot more analytic than life coaching, and often concentrates on past events, life coaching tends to focus on the present and the future.
WHAT DO YOU HELP PEOPLE TO OVERCOME?
People present with difficulties that they can’t figure out on their own. Often, this is because they are too close to the issue to be impartial about the navigational process of solving a problem. Often, regardless of how insignificant they think that the problem is, it can really impact their lives. Many people will present and the first thing they will say is ‘on the grand scheme of things, this isn’t really a problem’, however, difficulties are subjective, and should be measured in that way.
I help clients who are experiencing difficulties in relationships, health, personal development, career development or difficulties at work. People present with a diverse range of difficulties that are really impacting their lives.
HOW DO CLIENTS PRESENT TO YOU?
It depends on why they are coming to see me. Some feel very upset, while others just want to get an issue resolved. It’s not uncommon for some to feel a little overwhelmed as they begin to discuss why they have attended. It’s normal for people to feel overwhelmed, especially when they are getting the chance to speak freely in an environment where they aren’t being judged.
WHY DON’T YOU SEE CLIENTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS?
I see some clients weekly, however, in most cases I will only see clients every two weeks as opposed to weekly. The reason for this is because I want them to have time to process whatever strategy we have put in place, or I want to afford them the space and time to fill developmental gaps in terms of awareness.
YOU PRODUCE AND PRESENT A SELF HELP RADIO SHOW?
I do. The show is called Life Talk Live on Dublin South Fm. It’s a self help style show, as you say. The show has been running for a while now, and because I had prior experience in Radio, I was offered my own show, so the next step for me was to produce it, as well. I talk to people from all walks of life about events and experiences meaningful to them. Mental health professionals are always eager to come and talk about mental health issues that are common. It’s great to be contacted by those who feel unheard too, because they feel that it gives them a voice too. The show has a listenership in several different countries. It’s a good resource.
I presented the Purple Psychology Podcast with Dr Naoise O’Reilly too. It focussed a lot on children, their personality types, and how we, as parents can help them to understand who they are. The show was shortlisted for a global award
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE NERVOUS ABOUT MAKING AN APPOINTMENT?
Most things seem impossible, until done. Sometimes encouraging yourself to take that first step is the most difficult part of the process! It’s worth it though . . . . and so are they.
WHAT MAKES YOU AN EFFECTIVE LIFE COACH?
Actually, I think a good life coach can built rapport very quickly with clients because we believe in the process.
I have developed excellent communication skills. I am experienced at reading micro expressions and I have a developed sense of intuition, along with strong empathic listening skills. This coupled with a strategic and goal orientated development plan makes life coaching extremely effective.
YOU HAVE AN EXTENSIVE REFERRAL BASE. DO YOU NETWORK A LOT?
No. I am not a fan of structured networking. I don’t see the point. I love meeting people, individuals and professionals alike. I have always been interested in diversity and difference of opinions.
In terms of business networking, I have never done this in my life. I tend to call or email people whom I want to connect with professionally. I usually invite them for coffee or lunch and will always be transparent about why I am making a connection with them.
Transparency in business is, in my mind, extremely important, as is integrity. That’s why I have such an extensive database, I have had a lot of lunches, even more coffee – and always on my own time.
ANY CLOSING WORDS?
Of course!
Life is so incredibly short. Years pass by so quickly. Our lives move forward so quickly. Our children grow up, our parents grow old and our careers develop. Many of us look back and try to find the part of ourselves that we left behind. The part of us that couldnt fit in to all of the future plans. Those of us lucky enough to find that part of ourselves, who move forward with new ideas and dreams close the gap that completes the cycle. I think a lot of us feel that we reach these epiphanies too late – the fact is, we reach them at the perfect time!