Kate James

Kate James is the Director of Total Balance Group and The Change Project. She is based in Melbourne but works with clients in all parts of Australia.

Kate works with clients on important life issues like building confidence, developing self awareness and clarifying personal strengths, values and needs.

Having always been fascinated by what makes people tick, Kate has spent the past ten years at Total Balance in her own dream role.

Kate experienced a few career changes herself and she understands how dissatisfying it is when you lack direction. She now coaches leaders and business owners (and people who want to be leaders or business owners) to help them gain clarity and confidence about how to use their unique strengths as they pave the way forward.

Kate is known for her calm, insightful approach which has been strengthened by over twenty years experience in meditation.

She facilitates meditation classes and retreats and continues her own studies into Positive Psychology, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness.

As a sought after work-life balance and meditation media expert, Kate is regularly quoted in the press, on radio and television.

Kate was one of the first Australian coaches to achieve PCC accreditation with International Coach Federation (ICF) in 2005. She is a member of the Australian Coaching Industry Research Advisory Board.

She has first-hand experience of the work life balance challenge, having spent the past 24 years juggling marriage, motherhood and a successful career. When she's not teaching meditation or working with clients, you'll find her cooking for friends, walking along the beach, taking photographs or visiting a gallery.

Total Balance Group works with a diverse range of clients in a multitude of sectors including legal, property, advertising, banking, media, public relations, FMCG, government, small business and not-for-profit.


What Kate's clients say

'I loved my sessions with Kate and miss them now we’re done! In a very friendly and professional manner, Kate helped me pinpoint exactly what l was looking for in my career. We identified my passions, my strengths, ultimate job criteria and a whole lot more including balancing career and family life. As a result of our sessions, l am about to launch my own business – something Kate helped me realise l’d been wanting to do for years and that if l didn’t give it a go, l’d likely have regrets. Her supportive and no nonsense approach, including a wealth of experience and professional network, were invaluable in assisting me take the first very exciting steps.' Sarah Fisher, denu, Berwick

"Kate has helped me a lot to firstly see my goals more clearly and secondly achieve them by breaking them down into manageable chunks.  She is very talented at 'listening' between the lines and gives easy to follow advice on how to move forward in life.  Her positive feedback and constructive criticism have helped me stay on track when I was lacking motivation.  Thank you, Kate, for helping me to see areas of my life in a different perspective and showing me how to work on my goals in order to feel more in control of my life." WK, Melbourne

"I had decided to see Kate for coaching during a stage when I was unhappy with the way my life was progressing. I was stuck in a job I no longer cared for and had lost direction with what I wanted and in fact liked about myself and my career. I had become anxious and full of self doubt. By slowly breaking down what I wanted to achieve in long and short term goals I was able to tackle (and continue to) each point. After two months of coaching I have found a job in an area that has more careers prospects and I am now tackling larger issues of friendships and relationships. My anxiety dissipated and my self esteem improved. Kate doesn't provide the answers for you, just the skills to help you build the blocks to taking control of your life." KM, Melbourne

" Kate James is an inspiration! She has the natural talent of being able to read a person like a book. During my time as a client of Kate's I found myself in a situation of blaming someone else for my problems and Kate was able to read both the situation and myself perfectly by gently prodding me to address the situation in a way that achieved the desired result for both parties. I want to thank her for her compassionate nature and her gift of understanding what was required by backing her intuition and her judgement. Kate truly knows people." Mark Durkin, National Account Manager, Bolle Australia