Samantha and Jenny
There are so many life coaches and psychological therapists out there, with varying qualifications and experience. Finding the right one can be a daunting experience. This section aims to tell you more about our team at Be Brilliant Life Coaching, Samantha and Jenny, to help you in that process.
Samantha Bennett, Life Coaching and Psychological Therapy
I am Samantha Bennett Life Coach and Psychological Therapist and founder of Be Brilliant Life Coaching. Having a healthy work/life balance is most important to me. When I am not coaching, I enjoy quality time with family and friends.
My story so far:
Qualifications
- Undergraduate Honours degree in Psychology from the University of Glasgow in 2005
- Postgraduate Masters degree in Psychological Therapy from the University of Dundee in 2007
- Qualified as a Psychological Therapist in 2008
- Membership to the Association of Coaching 2017
Working as a Psychological Therapist
Following my Master’s Degree, I worked in Adult Clinical Psychology for NHS Tayside, Scotland from 2008 until 2011. During this time I helped hundreds of clients overcome a range of mild to moderate mental health problems. My primary training is in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which I continue to practice today. Over the years I have taken a keen interest and completed additional training in Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassionate Mind Therapy.
Combining Psychological Therapy and Life Coaching
It has been an exciting journey continuing my professional development into coaching. In 2011 I left my secure permanent position in the NHS, as a Psychological Therapist, in pursuit of my love of travel and sports. After helping so many others to listen to their needs, I had to listen to my need to experience other cultures. From taking this leap out of my comfort zone, I developed personally and professionally beyond my hopes.
After I returned to the U.K in 2014, I worked in senior positions for two successful businesses in Edinburgh whilst pursuing my career in coaching. During this time, I learnt vital skills in business management which assist me as a Coach. Furthermore, I discovered how to be successful in work, whilst being happy and healthy. Coaching has helped me realise what is important to me, how to create clear goals and live focussed on them. I founded Be Brilliant Life Coaching in 2017 and it is growing strength to strength year on year.
Continual professional development (CPD) and developing training is very important to me. In January 2018, I joined a thriving private psychology practice in Edinburgh, Craigie Partnership. I am part of a supervision group within the practice and offer two clinics for individual therapy.
Most recently, in November 2020, I rejoined the NHS as a Psychological Therapist part time. The combination of working both privately and publicly for the NHS allows me the balance between structure and flexibility. Within my NHS role, I have gained substantial experience working with trauma. This has informed my private practice and has further developed my skills as a coach and therapist.
Finally, I am pleased to have flexibility to run my own business, whilst being part of a team of Psychologists at Craigie Partnership and within the NHS.
I am available for daytime and evening sessions.
Email info@bebrilliantlifecoaching.com for more information or enquires to my availability.
For more information click Services and Pricing.
Jenny Kerr, Life Coaching and Psychological Therapy
I am Jenny Kerr, Life Coach and Psychological Therapist with Be Brilliant Life Coaching. I am passionate about helping others find their direction in life, being a guiding hand in times of confusion or need. When not working, I enjoy cold water swimming, travelling, being creative and spending time with my family and friends.
My story so far:
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Glasgow 2005-2009
- Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Skills from the University of Edinburgh 2010-2011
- Postgraduate Masters in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care from the Universities of Dundee and Stirling in 2014
- Qualified as a Psychological Therapist in 2015
- Member of the Association of Coaching and British Psychological Society
My professional career has been an exciting one so far. It has taken me to unusual places, provided interesting working opportunities and has allowed me to work with people from all walks of life. Prior to my psychology training, I worked within the third and public sector, working as a researcher in the Shetland Islands and as a Health Promotion officer within the corporate arm of the NHS. Within these roles, I learned important business management and networking skills which has been invaluable in my work as a coach.
Working as a Psychological Therapist
Following my counselling skills training, I was offered the opportunity to develop my therapy practice within a Cognitive Behavioural Framework. Since then have worked both in Adult Clinical Psychology for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Fife, and in private psychiatric care for the Priory Hospital in Glasgow.
My experience has gifted me the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life, helping them overcome a range of mild to moderate mental health problems. Although my training equipped me to work within the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach, my experience working within multidisciplinary teams both within the NHS and privately and further training has allowed me to build other approaches and therapeutic techniques into my approach. My additional training includes Compassion Focussed Therapy, Positive Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Solution Focussed Therapy.
Working with unconditional positive regard and working with a person as a whole rather than just the problems they are experiencing has always been a core tenet of my work as a therapist and is something which I bring to my work as a Life Coach.
Combining Psychological Therapy and Life Coaching
As I continued my therapeutic career, I recognised that many people would often come to therapy seeking direction in their lives, but not necessarily with associated mental health issues. This sparked my interest in researching different approaches which might focus more heavily on this need, and led me to reading further into life coaching, the skills of which I have used in my practice since.
This learning was key in recognising that within my own working life at the time my own core values and needs were out of sync, and I used coaching skills to develop clearer goals for myself. Most recently this practise ultimately led me to leave my role within the NHS in order to set up my own small business and join the private psychology practice Craigie Partnership. This experience has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the importance of coaching and I am passionate about spreading the word.
Further more, I believe wholeheartedly, that everyone is entitled to and is capable of living authentically according to their own values and needs – but that often, through the hurley-burley of modern life, we can get pulled in different directions and away from clarity and ultimate contentment. Life Coaching can help recognise, re-align, and up skill any individual, and I am delighted to be able to offer this within Be Brilliant Life Coaching.
I am available for daytime and evening sessions.
Email info@bebrilliantlifecoaching.com for more information or enquires to my availability.
For more information click Services and Pricing.
Why choose Be Brilliant Life Coaching?
- You will be in the safe hands of an experienced Life Coach and Psychological Therapist.
- We don’t believe coaching should break the bank. Our rates are cheaper than most other life coaches and Psychological Therapists in Edinburgh.
- You will be in a friendly, non-judgemental and professional environment. Online sessions via Skype or telephone sessions means you can attend session from where you are.
- In person sessions take place in a comfortable and private therapy space in the centre of Edinburgh. Alternatively, we can arrange to come to you.
- Sessions use effective evidenced-based coaching techniques based on sound psychological principles. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Coaching, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Positive Psychology Coaching.
- We, Samantha and Jenny, are both full members of the Association for Coaching and adhere to their Code of Ethics. We continue to attending further training and supervision.
