Adult Coaching
Sometimes, life changes faster than we can keep up.
An unexpected redundancy or health diagnosis, difficulties selecting a career path after graduation, finding your existing work unfulfilling, or experiencing other blocks to confidence, purpose and thriving.
These moments can leave even the most capable people feeling stuck, overwhelmed or uncertain.
As a Cognitive Coach, my role is to help you slow down, think clearly, understand what's getting in the way, and take practical steps towards the future you want to create.
Together, we'll build a clearer direction for your life and create positive momentum towards your goals.
Using evidence based cognitive behavioural coaching frameworks, I can help you find clarity, confidence and practical support for navigating life's transitions:
You graduate and realise nobody has given you a roadmap for adulthood.
You lose a job, start a new role, face a health challenge, or reach a point where the life you're living no longer feels aligned with who you want to become.
You receive an ADHD diagnosis and suddenly your entire past makes more sense: but you're left wondering what to do next.
What I offer
1:1 Coaching Sessions for Adults Aged 21-40
Navigating Life Changes, Goal Clarification, Uncertainty
or Seeking Accountability for Making Positive Life Changes.
You may be experiencing challenges in one or more of the following areas:
Individuals who know they're capable of more, but feel stuck in patterns that no longer serve them
You know you have strengths, ideas and ambitions. You may have experienced success in the past, or have projects and goals you want to make happen. Yet despite your capabilities, you find yourself repeatedly getting caught in the same patterns.
These patterns, such as a lack of confidence or clear direction, procrastination, imposter syndrome, avoidance of opportunities or difficulties with follow-through, can be frustrating. The gap between what you know you're capable of and what you're currently achieving can feel increasingly uncomfortable.
Coaching helps you understand what's keeping those patterns in place, develop practical strategies for change, and build the confidence to take meaningful action towards the life, work and future you want to create.
Adults adjusting to a significant life event, diagnosis (e.g. Adult ADHD or Chronic Health Diagnosis), or change in circumstances (redundancy, or starting a new role)
Sometimes we're asked to adapt to changes we didn't choose, and even positive changes (such as a new job) can leave us feeling uncertain, overwhelmed or disconnected from ourselves.
These experiences often affect more than our practical circumstances: they can impact our confidence, identity and belief in our ability to move forward.
Coaching provides a supportive space to process change, reconnect with your strengths, and develop practical strategies for navigating the next chapter of your life with greater clarity and confidence.
Early and mid-career professionals seeking greater fulfilment, confidence or direction.
Perhaps you've built a successful career on paper but feel disconnected from your work. Or you've stepped into a new role and are struggling with confidence.
You might be considering a career change, but feel uncertain about the right path forward: questioning whether the career you originally chose still aligns with who you are now.
You may be seeking clarification on reconnecting to your values and motivation.
Iwork with professionals who want to move beyond simply getting through the working week and towards a career that feels both sustainable and meaningful.
Graduates who are seeking a supportive and structured space to explore their strengths, values and ambitions
Together, we'll help you pinpoint what matters to you: the impact you want to make in the world, to identify a career path that feels meaningful and realistic.
For many graduates, the structure, goals and milestones that have guided them for years suddenly disappear.
Questions emerge around career path, confidence, identity, or developing practical strategies for turning long-term aspirations into achievable next steps.
If your mind is the barrier holding you back, I'm here to help.
I offer psychologically-informed coaching for graduates and young adult professionals.
My non-clinical coaching interventions currently combine Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness and Person-centred Coaching within a warm, supportive relationship.
I strongly believe this it is within the practitioner-client relationship itself that the deepest positive life change occurs: my goal is to help you:
1) Build confidence in your strengths
2) Identify strategies for overcoming specific roadblocks, or
3) Come to terms with changes and/or a new direction in your life.
My Coaching Methods & Training
Ashiyana Kesari Desay
I have a BA (Hons) degree in Human, Social & Political Sciences from Cambridge University, and hold an NCFE CACHE 3 Counselling Skills Diploma which informs my ethical referral and coaching scope policy, alongside short course certificates in Introductory Psychology, Existential Therapy (Oxford University), Level 2 Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (NCFE CACHE) and CBT Foundations (Reading University).
I am currently undertaking the following courses (in progress) as part of my continuous professional development:
- UK NCFE CACHE Level 3 Counselling Skills Diploma (completed)
-- Practitioner Training in Creative Mindfulness for Young People (on-going)
- Professional Diploma in Cognitive Coaching & Mentoring - ACCPH-accredited, student member ID #4215. (on-going)
- CPD in ADHD, Positive Psychology & Neuroscience (on-going)
Fees for Adult Coaching
Available for a Limited Number of Adult Clients
(21+ years old)
I am currently offering a limited number of sessions of adult coaching free of charge, while completing my ACCPH professional training as a student practitioner (member ID #4215) and working under supervision, to a limited number of clients, depending on availability.
We'll begin with a free 60- to 75-minute introductory call to explore your goals, answer any questions, and decide whether cognitive coaching feels like a good fit for you.
Adult Coaching FAQs
1
Is cognitive coaching the same as therapy?
No. Coaching is forward-looking, goal-oriented and focused on helping you move towards meaningful practical changes in your career, mood and fulfilment.
My work draws on evidence-based, non-clinical applications of psychological frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioural Coaching, Positive Psychology and Mindfulness Techniques.
We work with your current goals, challenges, habits, decision-making and personal development (we do NOT go deeply into your childhood or address clinical mental health challenges).
Coaching is not therapy, counselling, diagnosis or treatment for mental health conditions.
If I believe your needs would be better supported by a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or other healthcare professional, I will discuss this with you and help you access appropriate support where possible.
2
How many sessions do people usually have to see positive changes in their lives?
This may vary, depending on your goals and specific situation.
Some clients come with a very specific objective and achieve what they need in a small number of sessions.
Others prefer a longer period of support while working through a significant transition, developing new habits or building confidence over time. You are very free to stop our sessions anytime, if your needs change.
At the beginning of our work together, we'll discuss your goals and create a personalised coaching plan that feels appropriate for your specific needs.
Throughout the process, we'll regularly review progress and make sure coaching continues to feel useful and worthwhile.
3
How do I know whether coaching is right for me?
Coaching tends to work best for people who are functioning reasonably well day-to-day, but would like support with achieving goals, navigating change, building confidence or creating positive change in their lives.
You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin working with me. In fact, many clients come to coaching because they feel uncertain, stuck or overwhelmed!
Our first introductory conversation is an opportunity to explore what you're looking for and whether coaching feels like a good fit for your situation.
Coaching is most appropriate when the focus is on growth, wellbeing, habits, performance, life transitions or personal development. It is not a substitute for diagnosis, crisis support, or therapy.
I am currently training to work with adults with ADHD who would benefit from practical, strengths-based coaching support.
For ADHD professional clients, coaching can be particularly helpful for developing strategies around executive functioning, organisation, planning, motivation, self-understanding and confidence.
Some clients may come with a formal ADHD diagnosis, while others simply want help understanding how their mind works best and developing practical systems that support their goals.