Get in touch: [email protected]
life coach melbourne
  • About
  • Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Business coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Mindfulness coaching
  • Workshops
    • Compassionate Conversations
    • The Confidence Course
    • Free Monday Talk & Meditation
    • Build Self-Belief Audio Course
  • Retreat
  • Freebies
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • 0 items
  • About
  • Coaching
    • Life Coaching
    • Business coaching
    • Career Coaching
    • Leadership Coaching
    • Mindfulness coaching
  • Workshops
    • Compassionate Conversations
    • The Confidence Course
    • Free Monday Talk & Meditation
    • Build Self-Belief Audio Course
  • Retreat
  • Freebies
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • 0 items

Career Coaching

Kate James is a career coach in Melbourne, Australia. For over 23 years, she has worked with leaders and business owners to improve confidence, find direction, overcome imposter syndrome and discover their unique values and strengths.

Career coaching will help:

  • Find your career direction
  • Understand how to play to your unique skills and strengths
  • Improve your mindset
  • Overcome imposter syndrome
  • Build your career confidence and self-belief
  • Feel a greater sense of meaning and purpose in your career
  • Discover your unique leadership style
  • Find a side-project to boost your career satisfaction
  • Transition into your own creative or wellness startup
GET IN TOUCH »
career-coach-melbourne

How do career coaching sessions work?

Before we begin, you’ll complete some preparatory paperwork to gain clarity about your most important career coaching objectives. We commence with a free introductory phone call and from there, decide the best way forward.

A standard coaching program includes either three or five one-hour sessions with appointments scheduled fortnightly but you’re also welcome to begin with single sessions.

The career coaching program is designed to be a positive, validating and supportive experience. Clients report feeling a greater degree of career confidence, clarity about their direction and a higher degree of self-awareness. The result is improved motivation and focus, more effective communication, better relationships and a greater sense of balance.

career-coach-melbourne

Who is your career coaching for?

Kate works with clients from all over Australia who want clarity and confidence in their career.

  • Get unstuck and move beyond uncertainty
  • Start to design your own career
  • Live and work in alignment with your core values
  • Gain clarity about a direction that inspires you
  • Develop your unique leadership style
  • Feel fulfilled and confident in your career

Kate has coached lawyers, creatives, psychologists, bankers, consultants, leaders from NFPs and government. She’ll work with you to help you to move in your chosen direction as well as helping to build your confidence and self-belief.

Career Coaching Options

Single session

Begin with a 60-minute appointment, held online via Zoom or in-person on the Mornington Peninsula.

Fee: $275 AUD (includes GST)

BOOK INTRO

Three session program

3 x 60-minute appointments held online via Zoom or in-person on the Mornington Peninsula.

Fee: $795 AUD (includes GST)

BOOK INTRO

Five session program

5 x 60-minute appointments held online via Zoom or in-person. Option to pay in instalments.

Fee: $1,250 AUD (includes GST)

BOOK INTRO

What people are saying

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

CH, Lawyer, Melbourne

‘Hi Kate, it’s a while now since I’ve seen you, so I hope you remember me. I came to see you in the first half of 2005, when I was working at a big corporate law firm and trying to work out what to do with my life – primarily in a career sense, but, of course, that led to all sorts of other questions. As you may remember, with your encouragement I eventually applied for a different role which fit much better with my personal goals and values. I was so ready to change directions, but I just couldn’t find a way to do it without that support. And the conversations that we had and the resources you gave me – the questions about values and the books you referred me to – were so helpful then and are still helpful now. I really value the experience of working with you, it has made me appreciate the choices I have so much more and realise that whenever I feel like I’m not where I want to be, I can do something to change it.’
Grace, Queensland

Grace, Queensland

‘My thanks to you for your career coaching guidance and direction over the past six weeks. You have provided me with the focus and tools to think deeply and broadly about where I am at and what I want to be and given me insights that have shone a light on what I need to do and how to go about it. It has been a truly rewarding learning experience.’
Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

Dennis Danaher, Director Danaher Legal

‘I’m a lawyer and I approached Kate for career coaching to seek direction about my future practice. Kate was fantastic. Together we worked through the ideas and workshopped the different career options available. From our discussion, I decided to start my own law firm which was something I previously had not fully considered. I have not looked back. Through this process, Kate offered advice and assistance from the preparation of the business plan and projected earnings to advising on the branding of the business. Without her assistance, I would not have achieved what I did in such a short space of time. Highly recommended.’
Leader, Sydney

Leader, Sydney

‘When I began career coaching sessions with Kate, I was at a very low point in both my personal and professional life. Kate’s thoughtful guidance has proved to be a turning point. She created an environment of complete trust that allowed me to provide information that was at the heart of the matter. In response, Kate was both kind and firm, as required. Her personal follow-ups created a clear set of practical action items, without losing sight of longer-term life goals. I have now emerged from my darkness, and Kate’s advice continues to guide me toward a more positive future. I strongly recommend Kate James to join your own personal team.’
Executive, Melbourne

Executive, Melbourne

‘I can’t recommend the coaching sessions with Kate James highly enough.  I was very sceptical about them before starting – imagining they would be full of corporate psychology jargon.  But in fact, I gained far more from them than I ever imagined, on both a personal and professional level.  The career coaching sessions are interactive, conducted in a warm and positive manner that encourages honesty and self-reflection, and are extremely practical in focus.  Their great strength is that they focus on your whole life and the way you live it, not just on your role as a manager.  I’ve learned a great deal both in terms of how I lead my life and how I perform in management, the one informing the other.  This holistic, down-to-earth approach has been the most helpful and realistic career counselling I’ve ever had.’

About Kate James

Kate is passionate about helping her clients to find meaningful careers. In her early-30’s she went through a time of career uncertainty and a lack of clarity about her direction. The turning point for her was learning about her personal values and strengths.

These days, Kate works from home on a small acreage on the Mornington Peninsula that she shares with her partner of 40 years. She is a mother and grandmother, who spends her spare time walking in nature, paddleboarding, gardening, cooking and reading.

Kate has worked as a career and business coach for over 23 years. She has a PCC level coaching accreditation from International Coach Academy and was one of the first coaches in Australia to achieve a PCC accreditation with International Coach Federation.

life-coaching-kate-james

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a career coach and career counsellor?

Career coaching is similar to career counselling in that you’ll be supported to find a career that you love. Kate’s coaching sessions offer the opportunity to explore your strengths, your values and consider what you want from the whole of your life so you can choose a role that will feel meaningful to you.

Career counselling sessions typically also include psychometric testing, resume writing and interview coaching too. We offer low-cost strengths testing and we’re very happy to review your resume and support you with interview coaching too.

How is Kate different from other Melbourne career coaches?

Kate’s career coaching clients in Melbourne describe her as supportive, compassionate and creative. While Kate is results-driven and she’ll help you work on your goals, her approach is to support you to do things in your own way, rather than push you in any given direction. Her clients describe her as kind, motivating, an excellent listener and someone with a great sense of professional integrity.

I'm not sure of the best career path for me. Can you suggest the best role?

People often come to coaching when they’re unclear about direction so I regularly work with clients to support them to find the right role. More often than not, I’ll be helping you to find your own answers rather than specifically advising you about which role you should take.

Do you offer specific leadership coaching?

I do. I work with leaders who want to build self-awareness, overcome imposter syndrome and build their confidence. Learn more about my leadership coaching here.

I’m not that interested in mindfulness. Does that mean you’re the wrong career coach for me?

Not at all. Not everyone we see is interested in mindfulness but it still influences our approach to working with you. Being mindful is really just another way of saying being present, curious, self-aware and non-judgmental. If those qualities appeal, you’ll enjoy working with us. We are not at all dogmatic in our approach and we’re respectful that it might not be everyone’s thing.

How do I know if Kate is the best career coach for me?

Kate’s clients describe her as being down-to-earth, kind and supportive. She’ll work with you to help you find your own answers and her coaching packages are flexible so you won’t be locked into a long-term commitment. In fact, many clients find that they have clarity about the way forward after just a couple of sessions.

With over 23 years experience, Kate works with clients online from all over Australia and offers in-person career coaching appointments for clients in Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. She has coached lawyers, creatives, psychologists, bankers, consultants, technology professionals and leaders from all walks of life. She’ll work with you to help you to move in your chosen direction as well as helping to build your confidence and self-belief.

Have a career coaching question?

If there’s something we haven’t answered, please reach out. We would love to hear from you.

ENQUIRE NOW

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

An invitation to go a little more gently this week. To let go of some of your striving. To notice the things that you already have. And to make sure that you really do treasure them. ✨💛
Since writing last week's post, I've had my value of 'inner harmony' front of mind, because it's something I don't always find easy. I've been a worrier all my life, so even after years of meditation practice, I sometimes find it hard to create a quiet mind – unless I'm immersed in nature. When Chris encouraged me to try paddle boarding a few years ago, I had no idea if I'd be able to do it. I'm not naturally sporty so things like this don't come easily. But something magical happened when I first stood on that board and looked into the beautiful clear water. I felt (and still feel) transported to a place that removes me from all of my worries. I become immersed in the wonder beneath me. The forests of seaweed, the schools of fish, the way the sunlight creates patterns on the seabed and once, we paddled with dolphins. All of it is truly magical (and quite miraculous that I can keep my balance). I didn't mention last week that one of my other values is courage, which is the one I embraced when I first went out onto the water. The irony is that some of the moments that bring the most peace are made possible when I do something that scares me. ✨
One of the things I do with almost every new client I work with is a values exercise. It's such a powerful tool to help you identify what really matters in your life. Once you've chosen your personal values, you begin to understand why certain choices, places or relationships, feel so right. And why others really don’t. Your values will help you make meaningful choices that shape how you live every day. And as soon as you start living in alignment with your values, your life immediately becomes more meaningful. Do you know your top three values? I’d love you to share them if you do. Mine are inner harmony, kindness and connection. As well as connection with others and myself, this includes a deep sense of connection with nature which is why we live where we do. 🌿 If you’re interested to discover your values, I’ve included a link in my bio to an easy exercise that will help you gain clarity on yours. It really can be life-changing. ✨
This morning on @insighttimer Live, I spoke about the practice of gratitude and how research has found it to be an antidote to many physical and psychological challenges. It can improve sleep, reduce fatigue, and lower levels of cellular inflammation. One study found that those who practice on a regular basis experience less depression and are more resilient following traumatic events. Another called it “the mother of all virtues”, in that it encourages other virtues such as patience, humility, and wisdom. In my own life, it has been a daily practice for a few decades now. At the end of each day, an app on my phone called Grateful sounds a reminder and allows me to add a few words and photos. The best thing is that I now have a collection of my favourite memories that I can scroll through at any time. I took this pic just over a week ago at our local beach. At the end of an afternoon of swimming and paddling with Meg and me, Oscar said, “Grandma, that was the best day ever.” I love that he’s already grateful for the simple pleasures. ☀️
Five ways to be more true to yourself this year. I spent so much of my time in my twenties and thirties doing things to please other people instead of trusting myself and listening to my heart. It wasn't until I found the courage to accept that I might be criticised no matter what I chose that I found the courage to be true to myself. And I can honestly tell you, it's life changing. I hope the following quick tips help. 1. Let go of the idea that you need to do what’s expected of you. In Bronnie Ware's book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, number one on the list is, "I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me." 2. Believe that you’re strong enough to handle some criticism. It might still be hurtful but after a short amount of time, that hurt will pass. The more you're being real, the less critical you'll be of yourself, and that's energising. 3. Trust that you already know what fulfills you. Often when I meet a new client they tell me they don't know what they want. Once we get talking, it turns out that they do, but like all of us, it can be confronting to be really honest with themselves. 4. Give up one thing that hasn’t been serving you. This can be literally anything. Whatever it is that you choose, do it from a place of self-love not from a place of self-criticism. 5. Take one courageous step towards the life of your dreams. It doesn't need to be huge but when you want something to change, there has to be some action taken. Make the phone call, update your profile, send (or accept) an invitation, join a class...it doesn't matter what you choose, just do something. ✨
Join my wonderful colleague and clinical psychologist, Catherine Morey-Nase and me tomorrow for the first workshop in a new series that we've called Compassionate Conversations. Catherine and I have been hosting retreats together in Byron Bay for six years now and we've decided to get together each quarter to share some of the teachings we've found most helpful in our own lives and the lives of our clients. Tomorrow morning we'll be chatting about the benefits of setting intentions. When: 9am - 10.30am Saturday 18 January (AEST) Where: Online via Zoom Cost: $29 AUD You'll find the booking link in my bio. We would love you to join us. ✨
Recently, my daughter Meg shared a teaching from trauma-informed therapy that I've found hugely helpful when we want to judge ourselves and others more gently. When someone is going through a period of difficulty or displaying behaviours you find a bit tricky, instead of asking, "what's wrong with them?", instead ask, "what has happened in their life to make situations like these difficult for them?" All of us have had experiences that have caused us distress in some way and we carry those stresses in our bodies. These unconscious influences can lead to habitual ways of responding to the world that are sometimes framed as deficiency. And when we behave like this ourselves, we also judge ourselves as deficient in some way. When Meg shared this research, I found it a wonderful pathway to self-compassion and it can also be the beginning of true healing. If we tune into our bodies and learn about what’s happening during times of difficulty, we can also learn how to better regulate our nervous systems. It's a transformative approach and one that is enormously helpful when we want to find a more peaceful way of interacting in all of our relationships – including the one with ourselves. If you want to learn more about a trauma-informed approach to healing (I think it’s great even if you haven’t experienced trauma) have a listen to Meg's brilliant course on @insighttimer - Journey to Self-Healing. ✨
I hope you’ve had a beautiful start to the year. I’m still taking it pretty slowly. My intention this year is to see if I can continue to keep the pace a little more gentle. To live in the present as much as possible and savour the small precious moments. Have you found time to reflect on what will make your year truly meaningful? ✨
5 questions to reflect on as the year comes to a close. You might like to grab your journal and make a note of your answers there. 1. What have you done this year that you can allow yourself to feel proud of? Put aside your humility for a moment and include even the smallest things. 2. What can you forgive yourself for? Turn your attention to self-kindness as you ask yourself this question and accept your imperfect moments (all of us have had them). Remind yourself that we build inner strength and resilience when we embrace opportunities for growth and avoid getting caught in a shame spiral. 3. What are the places, people and activities that have filled you with energy? For me it's anywhere that connects me with the natural world, the friends who love deep conversations and anything to do with creativity. I'd love to hear yours in the comments. 🙏 4. And what are the things that have most depleted you? Intuitively, you know what they are but sometimes they can be hard to admit, even to yourself. Can you move away from any of these next year? 5. What are you looking forward to and who do you most want to be? This is really two questions, but when we put them together, the focus becomes hopeful and positive and filled with possibility. I won't be posting for the next couple of weeks but next Monday 30 Jan at 9.30am Melbourne time, you'll catch me doing a ‘Finding Inner Peace' meditation on Insight Timer. I would love you to join me if you're free. I hope you have a beautiful few weeks and for those who find this time of year a little more difficult, my love and thoughts are with you. 🥰✨
© Kate James 2025

Menu

  • About Kate James
  • Kate’s ideal client
  • Life coaching
  • Career coaching
  • Business coaching
  • Leadership coaching
  • Workshops & courses

 

  • Kind words
  • Freebies
  • Giving back
  • FAQ
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Get in touch

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands we live and work on, the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

FOLLOW US