FAQs

Your questions, answered

Choosing the right wellbeing support is an important decision — and it’s one that deserves clarity, honesty and trust.

This page is here to help you understand how Tip the Balance works, what we stand for and whether we’re the right fit for you, your family or your organisation.

You’ll find answers to the questions we’re most often asked, covering our approach, experience, services and the practicalities of working together. From how sessions work and how progress is supported, to when we collaborate with our trusted referral partners through The Clinic Without Walls™, everything is designed to help you make an informed, confident choice.

We believe wellbeing isn’t about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about understanding your unique context, meeting you where you are and providing the right support at the right time. If you’re looking for evidence-based guidance, compassionate coaching and a joined-up approach that works in real life, you’re in the right place.

If you still have questions after reading, we’d love to continue the conversation.

Do you specialise in supporting families with different needs and ages?

Yes, we support families of many different needs and all ages and I am DBS checked and cleared to do so. Families often come to me with competing schedules, stress, neurodiversity, hormonal changes, busy routines and communication challenges. I help you find shared rhythm, structure and connection without aiming for perfection. When additional expertise is needed (e.g., children’s mental health, nutrition, movement, neurodiversity, sleep), I can involve the appropriate Clinic Without Walls™ referral partner to provide specialist support alongside our family coaching.

What does the family intake process involve?

I begin by learning your family’s story; its dynamics, pressures, routines and priorities. From there, we identify which wellbeing elements need the most attention and build an Elemental Family Wellbeing Plan. Sometimes this includes recommending collaborative work with a specific referral partner, such as a parenting specialist, family therapist, movement coach or youth mentor.

How do sessions with families work?

Sessions with families generally take place online and combine practical tools, coaching, communication strategies, nutrition and movement support, and age-appropriate conversations with each family member. The busy lives we lead often result in breakdown in communication between family members, which can cause a real sense of ‘disturbance in the force’. Family coaching sessions allow each person to have their ‘safe space’ to get things off their chest, talk things through and find their voice to express themselves, their feelings and share their experiences more effectively in the family setting. If your family would benefit from more in-depth expertise, we coordinate with a Clinic Without Walls™ practitioner to ensure every member receives appropriate care.

Is family coaching safe for everyone?

Yes, family coaching provides a safe space for everyone to have their say, share their experiences and come together with a new shared understanding. We work with everyday habits, communication, routines and wellbeing, individually at first, then work to combine the needs and wants of the individuals in a way that is achievable as a family unit. Any clinical needs are referred to trusted specialists through the Clinic Without Walls™.

How do you support families when motivation drops?

Life gets busy, especially in households. We adjust the plan, break goals down, create simple routines, revisit priorities and ensure each family member feels involved, heard and supported. When challenges fall outside coaching, such as complex emotional needs, developmental issues or specialist nutritional concerns, the relevant Clinic Without Walls™ expert becomes part of the support system.

How long does it take to see results as a family?

Families often feel calmer and more connected within a few weeks, with deeper shifts building over time as routines settle. But family life is complex and change takes time and patience, with the process and each other. As a widow, mother and now stepmother, business owner, home-owner, part of a recently blended family who have houses in two different countries, I know how challenging family life can be! Change takes time which is why we pride ourselves on developing these trusting, long-lasting relationships with our family clients. Collaboration with our referral partners can sometimes help accelerate or deepen progress if specialist insights are needed.

What will we need to do between sessions?

Between your sessions we look at supporting you in implementing small changes to routines, shared activities, communication practices, meal tweaks or agreed “family experiments.” Nothing perfectionist, these changes need to be practical and achievable with the chance for every family member to feedback and shape the progress we are hoping to achieve.

What do we NOT do for families at Tip the Balance?

We are not here to fix your family or solve all your problems for you. I am not a caped crusader who needs to be recognised as the person who sorted your family troubles! Nor will I fire a loaded gun that you would like to but are unable to aim at your family member! I am not Super-Nanny or by any means the perfect wife, daughter, sister or parent!

I will be a sounding board to share your thoughts, ideas, fears and challenges with, but I am also an action-focused professional who will challenge you to look forwards and keep making progress, however small those steps might be. I do not have all the answers, YOU DO, so I am going to keep focused on the questions we need to answer to find those solutions together.

Can you share success stories?

Yes, we have many testimonials from families who’ve rediscovered connection, clarity and healthier day-to-day rhythms.

How do you work alongside other professionals supporting our family?

Yes, we work with other professionals to support you, with prior consent. Many families benefit from a joined-up approach that includes schools, therapists, nutritionists or specialist practitioners within our Clinic Without Walls™ network, ensuring integrated support.

What are your credentials, certifications, and experience working with clients with goals similar to mine?

I’m Dr Rebecca Brooks, with 30 years’ experience in human and health sciences. My background spans biological sciences, infectious disease research, nutritional sciences, lifestyle medicine, behavioural science, meditation teaching and coaching. I’ve supported thousands of people - individuals, families and organisations across countless sectors, helping people navigate everything from energy, stress and hormonal health to performance, mindset and family wellbeing. My approach is grounded in science, delivered with compassion, and shaped by real-world experience of working with people who want meaningful, lasting change. Importantly, you’re never working with me alone — Tip the Balance is supported by The Clinic Without Walls™, a trusted network of referral partners including specialists in physiotherapy, psychotherapy, nutrition, functional health, movement, sleep, women’s health, bodywork, and more. Together, we ensure your support is comprehensive and collaborative. As a professional working with individuals, families and organisations, I am also fully DBS checked.

What is your coaching philosophy and approach?

My philosophy is built on meeting you where you are, understanding your story and designing personalised, evidence-based strategies that actually work in everyday life. Wellbeing isn’t an all-or-nothing pursuit; it’s about small shifts with big impact. I use our Elemental Approach to identify the areas that need support, like rest, food, sleep, movement, mindset, connection, structure, joy; and coach you through sustainable habit changes with accountability, education and empathy. No overwhelm, no “perfect plan”, just personalised support. When additional expertise is needed, I collaborate with Clinic Without Walls™ partners to ensure you receive the most appropriate specialist input.

What areas of health and wellness do you specialise in?

I specialise in holistic wellbeing, including:

• Energy, sleep, circadian rhythms and stress regulation
• Hormonal health (including perimenopause, puberty and men/women’s hormonal balance)
• Nutrition and intuitive eating
• Digestive health
• Family wellbeing and behaviour change
• Mindset, resilience and performance
• Workplace wellbeing, team dynamics and leadership support

While I do not “treat” medical conditions, I support clients managing concerns such as chronic stress, digestive discomfort, low energy, burnout, perimenopause symptoms and lifestyle-related challenges; I support behaviour, lifestyle and habit change.

When your needs require more targeted expertise, I can introduce one of our referral partners, ensuring you’re never left navigating support alone.

What does the consultation and intake process involve?

Our consultation and intake process begins with a Discovery Session; a conversation about your challenges, your goals and what’s getting in the way. This is followed by an observation and feedback phase, where I learn more about your routines, lifestyle, habits and history so we can identify which wellbeing elements need the most attention before building your personalised plan. You won’t need to prepare anything complicated, it’s about honesty, curiosity and a willingness to explore your wellbeing story. Where appropriate, I may recommend early collaboration with a relevant Clinic Without Walls™ partner, ensuring your plan is holistic and safely supported from the outset.

Are there risks or contraindications?

My work is coaching-based and rooted in behaviour, lifestyle and habit support, so it is generally low risk. If anything arises within our sessions that requires clinical oversight, for example, medical symptoms, mental health concerns or red-flag indicators, I will always advise you to seek appropriate medical guidance. I work closely with trusted specialists via my Clinic Without Walls™ referral network to ensure your care is safe, coordinated and appropriate. Your wellbeing always comes first.

What happens during a session?

Sessions are a blend of exploration, education, strategy building and coaching. We discuss what’s going well, what needs support, and what practical actions will help you progress. You can expect to leave sessions feeling clearer, supported, more confident and equipped with next steps that feel achievable rather than overwhelming. If we identify an area where another expert would add value (e.g., physio, psychotherapy, nutrition, hormonal support), I coordinate with the appropriate referral partner to ensure joined-up care.

What is the cost per session?

Costs vary depending on whether you’re accessing individual, family or organisational coaching. Whilst I am insured myself, as you would expect for a practitioner in my field, I am not able to take fees covered by health insurance providers, as coaching is not classified as medical treatment. We can discuss your specific programme options, which begin at £55 per hour, to help you choose a level of support that suits your needs and goals.

How do we measure progress?

I measure progress using a blend of:
• Elemental wellbeing profiling
• Practical tools for habit design
• Nutrition and lifestyle guidance
• Mindset and resilience coaching
• Behavioural science frameworks
• Easy-to-follow resources, guides and worksheets
• Accountability systems
• Optional referrals to specialist practitioners

Everything is personalised and real-world focused. “Success” isn’t a single destination, it’s steady, sustainable change. If we involve a Clinic Without Walls™ partner, their insights may be woven into your ongoing plan so all areas of your wellbeing work together rather than in isolation.

What methods and tools do you use?

The tools and methods we use include Elemental profiling, habit design, nutritional guidance, behavioural science, mindset coaching, practical worksheets, tracking tools, and (if needed) collaborative care through the Clinic Without Walls™.

How often will we meet, and how do you communicate between sessions?

Most clients meet every 2–4 weeks, depending on their goals and pace of change. Between sessions you’ll have access to online support; typically via messages or shared digital tools, to help keep you accountable, motivated and connected. If you’re also working with a Clinic Without Walls™ specialist, session frequency may be adjusted to ensure a balanced, sustainable rhythm of support.

How do you support clients through setbacks?

Setbacks are part of the process, they’re data, not failure. I help you identify what’s driving the plateau, adjust your plan, break goals into manageable steps and reconnect with what matters most. Whether it’s mindset work, shifting expectations, changing routines or adding more support, we problem-solve together. If your plateau requires additional expertise (for example, chronic pain, trauma support, specialist hormonal input), we bring in the right referral partner to support you compassionately and collaboratively.

How many sessions until I see results?

Most clients begin to notice positive shifts within 4–6 weeks, though this varies depending on your goals and consistency. Deeper, more sustained change usually develops over several months. Your programme is tailored, not timed, and we progress at a pace that works for you. I have some clients who work with me for a few months and are ready to spread their wings. Others have leaned into support for longer periods of time, determined by their needs and confidence and this coach-coachee relationship is reviewed regularly together. When relevant, combined work with Clinic Without Walls™ partners can accelerate clarity and ensure your foundations are properly supported.

How much time do I need to commit between sessions?

I design actions with you, that are realistic, not overwhelming. Expect small, meaningful commitments: adjusting routines, practising new habits, experimenting with strategies and reflecting on how things feel. Most clients dedicate a short amount of time each day or week, depending on their goals.

What homework will I need to do?

Homework often includes:
• Small habit changes
• Practical exercises (e.g., sleep routines, meal tweaks, movement goals)
• Short reflections or mindset prompts
• Communication exercises for families or teams
• Resource-based learning if you enjoy it

All tasks are personalised, purposeful and doable in real life. We are all busy people!

Can you share success stories?

Yes we have many success stories to share! Our website features testimonials from individuals, families and organisations who have worked with Tip the Balance. I’m also happy to share additional references where appropriate.

How is your role different from a therapist or doctor?

Whilst I am a PhD qualified professional, I am not a medical doctor or therapist. I focus on lifestyle, behavioural change, habit design and everyday wellbeing. I do not diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions. If you require medical, psychological or specialist clinical support, I will refer you to an appropriate professional; sometimes within our Clinic Without Walls™ network, sometimes externally. This is always done transparently and with your consent.

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

Coaching and therapy are distinct entities, but working with you may feel like quite the blend! Coaching looks at where you are now and where you want to get to, using tools, habits and strategies to create forward movement. It can be challenging and, with me, is absolutely action-focused. Therapy often explores past experiences, emotional processing and mental health conditions. When deeper clinical support is needed, I’ll always recommend you are seen by the right professional; probably one within our Clinic Without Walls^TM network.

What do we NOT do for you at Tip the Balance?

We are not here to fix you,or solve all your problems for you. I am not a knight in shining armour or a caped crusader who needs to be recognised as the person who sorted your life out for you! Whilst many value having a sounding board to share their thoughts, ideas, fears and challenges with, I am also an action-focused professional who will challenge you to look forwards and keep making progress, however small those steps might be. I do not have all the answers, YOU DO, so I am going to keep focused on the questions we need to answer to find those solutions.

Do you coordinate care with my GP or specialists?

Yes, we can coordinate with your GP and other specialists, with your explicit consent. Coordinated support often creates better outcomes, and I’m happy to communicate with the relevant professionals to ensure your care is aligned and safe. We have a wide array of specialists within our Clinic Without Walls^TM network.

How do you align your programmes with our organisational culture and goals?

We align out programmes with your organisational culture by understanding your organisation’s values, pressures, goals, demographics and current wellbeing landscape. Programmes are then tailored so they are relevant, realistic and meaningful to your people, not generic tick-box offerings. We can also draw on insights from relevant Clinic Without Walls™ specialists (psychologists, leadership coaches, movement experts or stress/trauma-informed practitioners, etc) to shape programmes that truly fit your organisation.

How do you measure impact and success?

We measure impact and success of our programmes through metrics that may include changes in:

• Stress and burnout indicators
• Absence or sick-day data
• Staff engagement and morale
• Performance, motivation and focus
• Leadership resilience
• Qualitative feedback from teams
• Behavioural changes linked to your Elemental priorities

We evaluate impact throughout our partnership and adapt accordingly. When specialist assessments or additional interventions are needed, our referral partners can contribute their expertise to ensure a deeper, multi-disciplinary evaluation.

How do you protect employee confidentiality?

Confidentiality is fundamental. Individual coaching sessions are private, and personal data is never shared with employers unless the employee explicitly requests it or there are genuine safeguarding/welfare concerns. By its very nature, coaching is challenging. It is not uncommon to uncover challenges and conversations that would be beneficial to feedback to the wider organisation. Coaching sessions can provide a safe space to explore how to shape this conversation and determine the right people and places to feed back to, to create real change. Organisational reporting is always anonymised, thematic and compliant with data protection standards.

Can you share organisational case studies or references?

Yes, we have many testimonials from organisations we have worked with that we are proud to share. We’ve partnered with organisations across education, law, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, the military, public service/local authorities, engineering, construction, manufacturing, emergency services and more. I can provide references or anonymised case studies on request. Many of our organisational programmes have involved both Tip the Balance and our referral partners, allowing us to support complex, multi-layered needs across a range of industries.

How do you tailor content for different job roles and demographics?

I adapt delivery based on team needs, job pressures, shift patterns, cultural differences and learning preferences. Whether it’s executive/senior leadership, frontline staff, remote teams, hybrid workers, apprentices, managers and multi-site teams or mixed groups, sessions are designed to be accessible, inclusive and practical. If specific expertise is needed, such as trauma-informed support, leadership psychology, ergonomics or movement therapy, a Clinic Without Walls™ or other external practitioner can be integrated into the programme.

What formats do you offer, and can this scale across our organisation?

Delivery formats for organisations include:
• In-person workshops
• Virtual sessions
• Blended programmes
• Recorded training
• Walk-and-talk coaching
• Bespoke leadership support

We can also offer Specialist sessions delivered by Clinic Without Walls™ partners. Scalable programmes can be deployed across departments, regions or entire organisations.

How do you partner with HR, L&D and leadership?

We work collaboratively with your people departments, aligning wellbeing initiatives with your existing systems, policies, training pathways and organisational rhythms. This ensures what we deliver feels embedded, not bolted-on tokenism. When needed, our referral partners contribute specialist expertise (e.g., psychological safety, communication, trauma awareness). We are not here simply to ‘take the noise away’. Feedback from coaching sessions can be incredibly valuable to an organisation, so it matters to us that we can establish a feedback process with you, for the greater benefit of your team. These are not always easy conversations to have, or easy feedback to hear, but they are the ‘gold’ that can help you instigate real people-centred change for good.

What makes your organisational approach unique?

Our organisational uniqueness comes from The Elemental Approach + the multi-disciplinary expertise of The Clinic Without Walls™. Our Elemental Approach combines behavioural science, lifestyle medicine, relational health, leadership coaching and real-world practicality. It is not a one-size-fits-all model. It’s deeply human, adaptable and built to create meaningful, lasting cultural change — not just pleasant workshops where we have a nice chat! Your organisation benefits not just from coaching and behavioural science, but from a network of specialists ready to support the deeper or more complex needs within your workforce.

How do you maintain engagement after initial training?

We use follow-up sessions, digital resources, accountability touchpoints, leadership support and partnership/longer-term programmes to ensure concepts embed into everyday behaviour and organisational culture. Typically, our partner organisations then negotiate retained support with us; banking hours every month for their team members to ‘tap into’ when they need it (cited by one partner recently as “an insurance policy for happy people”). This monthly provision provides a continuity of care for your team and can also help maintain momentum and accountability between whole-team sessions.

What do we NOT do for your organisation at Tip the Balance?

We are not here to fix your team or solve all your problems for you. I am not a caped crusader who needs to be recognised as the person who sorted all your challenges for you – fixing your team, business or organisation! Nor will I fire a loaded gun that you would like to but are unable to aim at your team members!

What is your fee structure and what’s included?

Fees vary depending on the scope — workshops, strategy support, leadership coaching, audits or multi-layered programmes. Fees typically include preparation, delivery, materials, resources, follow-up recommendations and travel where applicable. A clear proposal and contract will outline everything included. The fee range is from £400 to £2000 per session depending on your requirements and the input provision we need to resource.