Dr Caitlin McDonald

My coaching helps people find courage in the complicated.

Your unique strengths can emerge most powerfully during periods of significant challenge or transition. As someone who has transformed personal adversity into a catalyst for growth, I bring authentic empathy to our work together. You won't just receive theoretical guidance; you'll partner with someone who has practical experience turning obstacles into opportunities for deeper self-discovery.

I have a multidisciplinary career as an award-winning academic researcher and strategic advisor. I’ve contributed to national and multinational innovation programs supporting the creative industries and tech sectors through UKRI and Horizon Europe following a decade as an industry analyst strategically advising Fortune 250 companies and key public sector institutions on digital ethics, innovation strategy, and collaborative working practices. I am also an artist whose work has been exhibited around the world from Edinburgh to Venice to Durban, South Africa.

I’ve been an ICF member since 2017 and I draw on my background in anthropology for a coaching approach rooted in curiosity and empathy. I love working with clients who are seeking ways to find “courage in the complicated,” because as a cancer survivor I know deep in my bones how a catastrophe can transform into an opportunity to explore personal growth, uncovering hidden reserves of resilience and inner strength. 

You don’t have to navigate uncertainty alone. Whether you're seeking clarity in a pivotal transition, refining your leadership style, or reconnecting with a sense of purpose, coaching gives you the tools to approach challenges with confidence. You can expect a coaching approach that honors both analytical clarity and intuitive wisdom as we work together toward your goals.

Why not come along to one of my free monthly Courage Pie meetup groups where we explore low-key activities to build your inner resilience? Sign up here: https://caitlinmcdonald.com/coaching/courage-pie/

My coaching package for £540 can be any of the following:

• 6 60-minute sessions: the classic coaching package; great for steady, frequent progress to create rapid change in a defined timeframe – usually within 6-12 weeks.
• 5 70-minute sessions: more exploring room in each session to create space for greater insight, awareness and growth in defining and moving towards change.
• 4 90-minute sessions: useful for intense deep dives that need a more spacious shift in perspective away from the day-to-day to create the conditions for change, typically with a longer interval between sessions.

In addition, I offer 6 30-minute sessions for £300. These brief sessions are brilliant for offering a concentrated, focused space to clarify thinking. If a 60-90 minute session is a slow and steady hike through an expansive landscape of the mind, a 30-minute session is a brisk, refreshing walk. They both help you understand your inner landscape to gain clarity and forward momentum, but in a very different way. I have limited availability for these shorter sessions!

Other hours available on request. Book a complimentary discovery call with me here: https://cal.com/caitlin-mcdonald-coaching/pre-coaching