Evaluation, Facilitation and Coaching

Helping people to think, learn and make lasting change

get in touch with paula
Hi, I'm Paula Phelan

A skilled professional with over 25 years experience working in cultural and community sectors specialising in evaluation, facilitation and coaching

I have passion for and experience working with individuals and teams in Arts, Education and Community settings.

My work focuses on supporting individuals and teams to use their minds as their greatest resource. I am compassionately fierce but also fiercely compassionate and I craft the safest of spaces for individuals or teams to try out new ways of thinking and doing.

”

Of course I want to be successful

but I don’t crave success for me,

I need to be successful to gain

enough milk and honey

to help those around me succeed.

– Rupi Kaur

About Paula

Paula Phelan is a development coach that offers both 1-2-1 and group coaching for people and organisations that need support from a creative and modern perspective.

She is able to utilise her impressive experience and unique bridging skills to support clients to gain insight, understanding and give them the push to make change. Her modern approach and ability to create a safe space for clients helps them feel empowered to reach their full potential.

get to know paula
Frequently Asked Questions

Coaching is a form of development and provides a welcome opportunity to take some time for yourself and look inward. A qualified and experienced coach will work with you to support your thinking. They will take their cue from the coachee, whilst offering questioning, space for silence and reflection, different perspectives on your story and supportive challenge.

Coaching sessions are 55 minutes in length, and typically a client will engage in 4 to 6 sessions. 

A session costs €80 and payment is made in advance. Bundles are also available and include 4 sessions and save you €20.

Both options are available.

Generally the first two sessions happen within 2-3 weeks and fortnightly or monthly after that. Every coaching pathway is different so we’ll decide together what works for you.

No specific preparation needs to be done, you just need to come with an open mind and patience for the process. You don’t need to have a specific problem to discuss but a willingness to talk about your story and how you’re feeling at present. People often arrive at coaching unsure of why they are feeling discomfort, coaching supports the development of clarity in these moments.

Yes, we’ll work together to decide how you can take the thinking and learning into your life.

Most forms of therapy, including counselling, focus on the past. They are concerned with healing trauma and developing coping mechanisms. Coaching focuses on the present and what is possible. It is future focused, action oriented and supportive in helping coachees move towards their future possible self.

A mentor tends to be offering their own experience as guidance or advice to the client. A mentor is seen as the expert on the topic. Coaching is future focused and believes the client is the expert on their own lives. Coaching works to help support thinking in that space.

If you feel ready to make beneficial changes to your life, then coaching can help you make those changes. Coaching is not a therapy; it’s a way of helping people think about things differently, better and more effectively. It can help you deal with difficult situations and think more positively about yourself and your abilities.

Coaching is confidential by nature. Many coachees wish to offer a testimonial while maintaining their confidentiality.

Stirring, intense and challenging – yet safe, confidential and supportive. It may feel strange at first to have the focus of a conversation on yourself and your life or professional situations. As you commit to new actions and thinking you may feel determined and purposeful

Testimonials
Kind Words
My coaching sessions with Paula have been a hugely positive experience. Paula has helped me dig down into and reflect on what's important to me, her approach is refreshing, honest, kind and professional… With a special superpower gift; she seemed to be able to tap into my deeper consciousness, draw out my core values and see ways to bring them to the fore. I'm excited for anyone who decides to work with her as I know she’ll have an impact on them too.
Becky - Illustration & Creative Engagement
Paula was wonderful to work with and really helped guide me in a professional but client lead manner. Through my sessions with Paula, I not only received guidance about the near future of my career but also received helpful steps to implement in the long term. I found being given work to do myself after sessions beneficial as it was an interactive experience whilst also feeling like I had a guiding hand in decisions and thought processes. I would definitely recommend Paula to anyone who feels they need support or an outside perspective in any matter relating to career choices
Hannah - Trainee Solicitor
Initially I was a bit nervous about life coaching as I didn't know what to expect but I have to say I have gained far more than I ever could have expected from it. Paula is so friendly, approachable and personable with a great sense of humour. She has a knack for making you think about things in a different way. I found it a challenging but rewarding experience and it has given me confidence for the future which I am excited about. I would highly recommend Paula as a coach.
Yvonne - Clerical Officer
I worked with Paula over a series of 10 sessions with the goal of gaining more confidence in my leadership capacity. Paula was friendly and knowledgeable and helped me to see my skills and experience in a new way. Paula also helped me to think about some of the barriers I had caused for myself, and this has resulted in a new way of thinking and renewed self-belief in my professional life.
John - Team Leader (Banking Sector)
Paula worked with our senior staff to help support the thinking around leadership and performance in our organisation. Paula helped us think about our values and how our values would underpin our work. Paula has a way of seeing things from another perspective which is hugely helpful, she is approachable, open minded and generous in her facilitation and we hope to work with her more often in the future.
Mark - Chairperson (Community Development Sector)
At the end of my coaching sessions with Paula I always left thinking, how does she do that? How does she make me see my life so differently and what's her magic formula? A year on from our sessions I can still see the impact on my daily and professional life, if you get the chance, work with Paula.
Caoimhe - Teacher
Ways to work with Paula
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