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Frances McDougallMA (Oxon), MA (UEL), PG Dip. Couns, Dip. Performance Coaching, A.M.A.C.has seventeen years experience and training in counselling, psychotherapy and group dynamics, and five years experience as a personal coach to a wide range of individuals. She has an MA in Literature from Oxford University, an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies from the University of East London/Tavistock Clinic and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling from the University of London. Frances worked for many years in mental health and social services running groups and counselling services for a wide variety of individuals whose problems included depression, extreme anxiety, eating disorders and relationship difficulties. She has also provided counselling in GP surgeries, and to university students and staff. Although her principal therapeutic training was psychodynamic, she also has experience working with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Inter-Cultural therapy and Group Consultancy. She is currently training in Cognitive Hypnotherapy as these techniques offer effective treatment for a wide range of personal problems. Over the years Frances has had more than 750 hours training in psychotherapy and counselling and continues to update her skills with regular CPD. CoachingFrances has trained in coaching with the Centre for Coaching, UK College of Life Coaching, Coachville, and Newcastle College, and has qualifications in Personal & Performance Coaching. She has had over 150 hours of specific coaching training and continuing professional development. Frances originally began experimenting with coaching skills in 1993 when she was a staff member at a residential group relations seminar, facilitating small work consultancy groups. In 1998, after having a long-awaited son, Frances decided to change direction to have more time for what mattered most. Over the past five years she has switched predominantly to coaching, using it to help individuals in many different situations - finding their personal direction, confidence building and assertiveness, relationship issues, communication skills, career development, time management and organizational skills - especially for academic situations. You can read examples of the way she works on these pages: overwhelmed, underachieving, unheard, life crisis. Central to her way of working is Frances' belief that coaching and counselling both depend on creating an exceptional relationship which allows a client to explore any aspect of their behaviour, freeing them to move forward. Although coaching and therapy have important differences they also have fundamental links: in order to change your future it is vital that you have some understanding of the past. Many coaching strategies are actually remarkably similar to the approach and techniques used in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). For instance they share an emphasis upon a clear goal, problem-solving and assertiveness skills to increase confidence, and addressing negative thoughts. There is increasing evidence that CBT can be effective for many typical problems such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and under-achievement. Once a trusting relationship exists, other areas of life that you want to explore and change may emerge, but as Frances is qualified in both counselling and coaching you have the reassurance of knowing that you are in safe hands. Whatever comes up can be addressed with sensitivity and understanding, and the benefit of many years experience. Recent developmentsIn the last four years, Frances and her husband Gordon McDougall, have lived in London, USA and most recently in the country near the beautiful city of Bath. Drastic Action - a new business for a new home - combines her extensive experience of coaching and therapy with Gordon's internationally recognized skills as a theatre director, Principal of the Guildford School of Acting (one of UK's leading professional drama trainings) and Director of Drama at a major US university. Together they have pioneered a series of coaching tools specifically designed to help clients clarify issues to do with identity, confidence, and self-presentation. These techniques combine insights from psychodynamics, narrative therapy and CBT, with methods used in actor training, to achieve coaching goals with added depth of understanding. Frances is a member of several professional bodies including the Association for Coaching, the International Association of Coaches (IAC), and Coachville, and subscribes to their codes of ethics and conduct.
Frances' qualifications and training include:
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