Catherine and I first met almost a decade ago, when she was living in Switzerland. At the time, we were exploring her options for a career change.
When she visited Melbourne the following summer, we met for coffee at St Edmonds on a sunny December morning. Catherine had just been for a run and she had a beautiful glow of health about her but what I remember most from that meeting is how readily she laughed – and what a lovely sound her laughter was.
We have worked together for several years now in various different capacities. I have called on Catherine to help me in my business when I’ve been busy, I supported her when she set up her own small business, The Wellbeing Corner and we hosted several Byron Bay retreats together. Most recently, I interviewed Catherine as an expert for my new group coaching program, The Confidence Course.
These days, Catherine works as a clinical psychologist in her own practice (you’ll find more information about how to make a booking with her on her website). She is passionate about empowering and supporting her clients to make the changes that are most important to them. She believes that people are their own best healers and she loves nothing more than walking alongside and supporting people who are open-minded, curious and courageous.
It’s an honour to feature Catherine on the blog today. I know you’ll find her as humble and inspiring as I do. She’s a very special human being.
Can you tell us a little bit about your business?
With your support Kate, for which I will always be so grateful, I started The Wellbeing Corner about 8 years ago. Initially, I ran six-week beginner meditation courses as well as ‘Mindful Hiking Days’ for women. While this early iteration of The Wellbeing Corner holds a very special place in my heart, I stepped away from it several years ago to complete my psychology training and gain some experience working as a psychologist. Then in mid-2021, The Wellbeing Corner came back to life as the home of my own psychology practice. I absolutely love working deeply with my clients. It’s such an honour and a privilege to walk alongside them as they do the courageous, and at times challenging, work of becoming more whole. I have a sneaky suspicion that there is a further iteration of The Wellbeing Corner to come. Quite what that involves I’m not yet sure but something nurturing and soulful!
What do you love about working for yourself?
I love the flexibility and variety it gives me. I love that I get to decide what I do and when. Occasionally this can feel a little overwhelming but mostly it’s really fun and exciting. I also love that I’m doing something I really believe in and am passionate about.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I tend not to have a typical day which I really like! While my clinic hours are set, I work different hours depending on the day of the week. Some days I start with clients early in the morning and finish in the afternoon whereas other days I start seeing clients in the afternoon and into the evening. I also have non-clinic days to catch up on paperwork and engage in professional development. I make sure I meditate and spend time in nature each day whether that’s taking our dog for a walk, going for a run or doing a yoga class in the park.
What’s one thing you would do differently if you had your time over?
That’s a tricky one! I want to say I’d do lots of things differently but also that I wouldn’t change a thing. Can I have it both ways? It probably sounds a bit clichéd but everything I’ve done, including the mistakes I’ve made, has made me the person I am today and I like to think that I’ve learned something from each and every experience along the way. I will admit, however, that I’ve had to learn the same thing over and over a few times and of course there are still lessons I’m learning!
Who are your role models?
Kate, you are one of my role models. I admire the passion you have for your work, your willingness to put yourself out there in the world in such an authentic way, and how kind and caring you are. Brene Brown is another one of my role models (you introduced me to her way back when!). I love her work and find her endlessly inspiring. I would also consider my supervisor and clinic director to be role models. They are both wise, courageous women. I think I’m most inspired by people who have the courage to be themselves (and to do the work that this requires), to turn towards the darkness as well as embrace the light.
What’s been the best thing you’ve done to grow your business?
I’m not sure I can name one particular thing. I consider myself a classic introvert so traditional marketing is not comfortable for me. I’ve tried to find ways of putting myself out there that feel true to me. Connecting with like-minded peers has, and continues, to be really important.
How did coaching help you?
Coaching helped me enormously. I can honestly say there is absolutely no way I would have started The Wellbeing Corner without it! It helped me break down preconceived ideas and barriers I’d subconsciously constructed that were holding me back and gave me the confidence to take that first step and then keep going.
Where do you go for inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere – nature, books, art, radio, blogs, Ted Talks, podcasts, colleagues, friends and family. My favourite podcast is ‘This Jungian Life’ – there is so much rich material in there!
What are you reading at the moment?
I usually have a few books on the go at once but at the moment I’m focusing my attention on Wild Mind – A Field Guide to the Human Psyche by Bill Plotkin and loving it.
How do you maintain a sense of balance while running your business?
This is something I’m very much still working on but being really deliberate about creating more space in my life to simply ‘be’ rather ‘doing’ all the time. For me this includes spending time in nature, being physically active, meditating and cooking. I recently started learning basket weaving which I’m also loving and am keen to make more space for.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m really looking forward to seeing how The Wellbeing Corner changes and evolves over the coming years.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone wanting to go into their own startup?
There is no one right way. Keep checking in with what feels right for you and do that. Also, you don’t have to buy into a definition of success that is based on profit alone. For me, a successful business is as much about the contribution it makes and how it makes people feel.
What is the change that you’d like to make in the world?
To support people as they heal and become more whole; to support people cultivate loving and supportive relationships with themselves as well as with the greater Earth community.
