A Little About Me
Embracing New Horizons:
My Story
I would like to start by sharing my story – a story that has led me to where I am today as a life coach dedicated to guiding people like you toward your own path of empowerment and growth.
Life, as we know it, is a journey of highs and lows, victories and challenges. I've navigated my fair share of these twists and turns. There were times (and some times still are) when fear, self-doubt, and uncertainty held me back. I found myself standing in the shadows of my potential, playing small and allowing the weight of these emotions to shape my choices. Blaming external circumstances seemed like the easy way out, and I embraced the role of a victim in my own story.
But at the age of 30, life granted me an abrupt and unexpected crossroads. The path I had mapped out for myself was veering very much off course, and the feeling of victimhood resurfaced. It was during this pivotal moment that fate intervened through a series of chance conversations. The universe nudged me to embark on a life-altering journey – I signed up for a life coaching diploma.
That moment when the person I am talking to drops their shoulders, releases a deep breath and finally allows themselves to drop their guard and see for maybe the first time in a long time, what is really going on for them. When that person allows themselves to feel vulnerable and the lens through which they have being seeing themselves switches. When that person sees that it ok to be a bit scared of the unknown and change, that that doesn't make them weak, it just makes them human. When that person sees that it is not waiting for the absence of fear to advance but bravely moving forward trusting in themselves. When that person realises that they are so much more resourceful and empowered than they had realised and have all the answers that are right for them but just didn't know it and when that person realises that they deserve a life of meaning and fulfilment (whatever that might look like for them) , that they are worth it and that the more they live aligned to their core self the more they can serve others better too......
THAT MOMENT, that is why I do the work that I do and I love it so much.
I too am that person and in my work I also have the privilege of witnessing that person countless times.
My Professional Journey
With a background in Human Resources, I discovered my passion for working with diverse individuals from around the world. This experience ignited a deep fascination with personal and professional development. Then I discovered Coaching and I haven't looked back since. My journey in HR has given me invaluable insights into the complexities of human interactions, and now, as a coach, I channel that knowledge to help clients from all walks of life navigate their unique paths towards success and fulfillment.
What Some Clients Had To Say
Derval came highly recommended and I was not disappointed. It would be difficult not to have the “click factor” with Derval – She is a very warm, understanding person with a deep empathy and a willingness to listen and understand. As a coach myself, I am aware that listening and questioning are the most important qualities – she has these in droves. It is easy and a pleasure to work with her. I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is great fun to work with too so it doesn’t seem like work. Highly focused and intuitive, Derval is a super coach – I learnt a lot from the experiences and was not long in netting out the areas I wanted to focus on
Ralph P, Dublin
I went to Derval at a time where I had to make some important decisions that I was very hesitant about. Derval helped me to dig deep and discover a lot about myself and my values, which shaped the path I eventually chose, and am now very happy with. I felt completely comfortable speaking with Derval and knew I was truly being listened to. It felt as though the answer to my issues was within me the whole time, and all I needed was someone to help me extract it. Derval did just that, and I am so grateful for her help.
Rachel Gray
Derval’s guiding rather than directing approach has been the right fit for me.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a life coach or how to approach our meet-ups but Derval reassured and proved there was no right or wrong way - it’s been a fluid, collaborative process and our sessions run according to whatever works for me at the time.Within a short time, I had structured my goals and focused my mind in ways that I hadn’t done before. My analytical and decision-making abilities have improved and my path is clearer. I have a new home as a result of Derval’s coaching and know what I’m working toward. What I take most from working with Derval is that it is a continuous, day-to-day process - our sessions are check-points along that process, always with take-always to think about until our next session. Derval has helped me bring out me.
Emma P, Dublin
I was feeling very restless and struggling with determining my future path. During the sessions with Derval, she asked me many, many questions which enabled me to go the core of my feelings. She helped me concluding, that all my questions were based on a deeper sentiment which needed to be fulfilled and not so much on the practical answers on my life questions. Since then I've found peace in me again, knowing that no matter what job I'm doing or in which country I am, I'll need to keep on challenging myself in life and make sure that my real emotions and sentiments are fulfilled. Based on that, I can make the decisions I need to make on all practical questions I have. Thanks Derval!
Mary-Jane
I started work with Derval not knowing really what to expect. Wow, was I blown away! Derval is so good at what she does. I was immediately comfortable albeit new to the world of coaching. Derval guided me through the self-paced discussions going where the flow took us. The goals were set by me, the ways to achieve them were brought up by myself but with Derval supporting. Within a short timeframe, I saw things happening in my work and personal life that have been life changing. My self-esteem and confidence have grown so much with me finally realising I had the answers all along within, Derval just helped me unlock them. I have taken a break from our sessions as I have achieved the set-out goals but no doubt I will have more shortly and a catch up with Derval will definitely be on the cards. I highly recommend anyone who needs a bit of guidance or clarity to have a call with Derval and they will not be disappointed!
Amanda, Cork
Having worked with Deval pre and during Covid-19 I would recommend her services if you have any career or life aspirations you wish to achieve. Derval can provide the clarity you need to achieve your goals and I have to say the zoom interactions are on par with sitting in her office.
I approached Derval for some career and life coaching whilst I was going through a significant career change and an upheaval in personal circumstances having recently returned to Ireland from abroad.
Working with Derval I have found the structure I need in both professional and personal life, this has helped me chart a path towards what I want to achieve and has allowed me to thrive and succeed each step of the way. I utilise what we work on daily and find her personality very warming and genuine, an intuitive listener with a clinical pose to ask the right, probing questions.
Finding someone to speak to in a comfortable, unbiased, secure environment was really important to me and Derval provides this and more. By listening and really understanding what I was saying Derval was able to reflect some really fundamental realisations for me and some powerful tools to utilise this new found awareness.
I couldn’t recommend Derval high enough for any life or career coaching you may need. You will not regret reaching out to her it will be the best call you make today.
I look forward to working with Derval for years to come and through all the peaks and troughs
Graham, Dublin
Derval provided me with tools to help me identify the drivers in my life, which during our ensuing discussions helped me to focus on the issues that really mattered during a time of crises in several areas. She is a good listener and asks pertinent questions that helped me to see my issues from an outsider’s point of view. The conclusions drawn by following Derval's process helped me decide on the courses of action I wanted to take and reinforced my willpower to follow them through the inevitable low points, before reaping the benefits several months later. As my own ideas became clearer and as outside circumstances evolved, we were also able to accommodate change in the process.
In addition to learning and applying an incisive process, I felt supported by a warm personality and a friendly and caring approach.
It was a pleasure working with her and the on going turnaround in my fortunes is, as I wrote, related to the focus and strength I found then.
Christopher
Life coaching with Derval proved to be a decisive period in my life. It enabled me to ask myself the right questions and look at my situation in a new, clear and constructive way. Through pertinent questions, demonstrations and exercises, Derval leads you to think outside your box and provides you with the mental tools to get on top of your personal situation/problem. Thanks to Derval's insight and professionalism, I was able to make key life-changing decisions.
Fabrice, Paris
Derval developed and presented a series of wellness webinars for Offaly Libraries which received excellent feedback from participants and were well attended. Derval is an incredibly competent and approachable presenter who paces her workshops well and she is welcoming, enthusiastic and engaging. Her conversational style is easy to follow and also stimulating. Derval’s slides and visual aids were relevant and easy to understand. The webinars contained very high-quality content, were delivered with passion and genuine desire to share the knowledge and present it in a way it becomes useful to a range of people. They were tailored to address new issues that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges we have all faced. I would highly recommend Derval
Lisa, Offaly Libraries
Derval recently hosted a productivity & motivation workshop for Xilinx and she was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. Derval was keen to understand the audience and to meet their needs. She wanted to ensure that the attendees would see something change in their behaviour as a result of the session. She provided the attendees with immediately useful take-aways and the audience left feeling excited and motivated.
We received very positive feedback on her workshop and look forward to working with Derval again in the near future.
I would highly recommend Derval as a speaker and presenter
Rachel D’Alton, Executive Assistant to the MD EMEA, Xilinx
The individual coaching sessions I had with Derval were excellent. I loved her positive energy, genuine enthusiasm for life, and the way she gently pushed me to search for the answers I still hadn't found. Her very practical let's-get-on-with-it approach was just what I needed when I found myself at a crossroad in my life. Thinking out of the box and encouraging me to see that there isn't just one way to find happiness both with yourself nor your career. Moreover, that you can include happiness in your life from today. You needn't wait till tomorrow. Derval helped me to take the decision to move country, go back to university and follow my dreams. I feel more alive than I did in years. I have and would highly recommend Derval to anyone who feels stuck in their choice of career.
Maria, Dublin
I made contact with Derval at a a career crossroads in my life. I had been wanting to change my job and lifestyle for years but couldn't quite make the leap. I wanted to create a life where I could prioritise my personal wellbeing, and take control of my lifestyle in particular my work life balance. I love how Derval works, from our first session I felt immediately supported by Derval and as we did more work I felt I was able to provide myself with that support from within which is a fantastic thing to be able to do. I now have a job that I enjoy and feel makes a difference which means I am so much happier in my personal life too. I feel so much more fulfilled from day to day and able to be the best version of myself.
Jessica, Dublin