I remember one of my very first sessions so well.
A young woman, just 25 years old, doing her best to look after her daughter and herself, on her own. As we wrapped up, I asked how she had found the session. Her response is something I will never forget.
She looked at me and said:
“This is the first time anyone has ever really listened to me.”
That moment has stayed with me, and it perfectly captures what Health & Wellbeing Coaching is truly about—a space where people are heard, seen, and valued. It’s a place of compassion, non-judgment, and encouragement, where individuals can explore their challenges and strengths without fear.
Coaching isn’t about prescribing solutions or telling people what to do. Quite the opposite. It’s about empowerment—helping individuals recognise that they already have the tools, insights, and ability to take control of their health and wellbeing.
In my Primary Care Network (PCN), patients are offered a block of six sessions. During this time, we focus on an area of wellbeing that is most important to them. Whether in-person, online, or over the phone, the sessions are designed to be flexible and accessible. We also ensure language is never a barrier, offering translators where needed.
Every session is unique because every person is unique. However, there are a few key principles that guide our work:
Every individual I meet already holds the potential to improve their life. My role is simply to support and guide them in unlocking that potential.
It is vital that every patient feels safe, valued, and free to share openly without fear of judgment. These sessions are their space, their time to be heard.
Health is never just physical or just emotional—it’s deeply interconnected. Many of my patients come in with physical conditions that weigh heavily on their mental and emotional wellbeing. We don’t just address one aspect; we look at the bigger picture.
In the past three years, I have worked with people facing an incredible range of challenges—severe anxiety, overwhelming stress, long-term conditions like diabetes and fibromyalgia, cancer recovery, and even the deep grief of losing a loved one.
The sessions are completely personalised depending on what is needed. For example, when Stacey (name changed for confidentiality) came to me because she has fibromyalgia and was in constant pain, we started by Stacey having the right resources to truly understand the pain response in the body, so that she could have the most up to date knowledge available for her condition and feel empowered by that.
Then Stacey wanted to know if there were any techniques she could learn to help relieve the pain that did not depend on her medication. I taught Stacey specific breathing techniques and mindfulness based practices that are scientifically proven to release tension in the body and calm the mind.
Stacey found these really helpful and so by the end of our time together she had knowledge, insights and practical tools that she could use to support her in day to day managing her condition and relieving some of the symptoms.
What I have witnessed in that time is nothing short of extraordinary. The resilience, courage, and strength of people who walk through my door leave me in awe. I have seen individuals who felt completely lost find their way back to happiness. I have watched people regain confidence after years out of work and step boldly into new opportunities. I have seen lives transform—people shedding weight, overcoming anxiety, managing pain, rediscovering joy, and embracing life again.
This is why I am so passionate about what I do. Time and time again, I see the ripple effects of change when people choose to invest in their wellbeing, nourish their bodies and minds, and truly value their health.
The journey isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it. And I feel privileged every day to walk alongside those who take that brave first step toward a healthier, happier life.
Alex Kyriakidis, Health and Wellbeing Coach – Central Walthamstow PCN
