Samantha turned personal growth into a professional calling, blending finance, counselling and coaching to help others find their way.
From Finance to Foundations
When Samantha first began studying with the Association of Learning, she was working in finance, helping students navigate funding challenges. But beneath that practical day job, there was something deeper brewing.
“I started looking into wellness and coaching, and I realised how much it aligned with what I was already doing,” she says.
After completing a series of courses, including counselling and coaching, Samantha is now preparing to launch her own practice. The name is already chosen: Journey of Transformation.
She’s designing her business cards, planning workshops, and starting to see her first clients. It’s the result of nearly a year of planning and personal investment.
A Personal Journey Turned Professional
Samantha’s passion for helping others comes from her own experiences. “We all go through times where we lose ourselves. Sometimes we carry things from the past that we never properly dealt with,” she explains.
It was through her studies that Samantha began unpacking these experiences. “The counselling course helped me break things down, not in a personal way, but in a way that helped me understand others. Everyone needs someone to listen, but not everyone has that.”
That perspective now shapes the core of her practice. “I enjoy helping people find who they are, step out of their comfort zone, and know someone’s walking alongside them as they do.”
Putting Knowledge into Practice
Even before launching her business, Samantha has been applying her skills at work. In her current finance role, she often supports clients who are in crisis or struggling with financial decisions that have gone wrong.
“I’m able to sit down with them, talk through the problem, and actually help them find a way forward,” she says. “That listening ear and coaching mindset has made a real difference.”
She’s also used her training to run group workshops, helping participants map out their personal goals and get from where they are to where they want to be. “Sometimes people don’t know what they need. Coaching helped me learn how to ask the right questions.”
Studying That Sparked a Shift
Samantha completed several courses with the Association of Learning, including coaching and counselling qualifications. Each one played a part in building her confidence and giving her the tools she needed to take the next step.
“The courses gave me more than just qualifications. They gave me direction,” she says. “I even bought extra books that were recommended during the course. That’s how invested I became.”
She felt fully supported throughout. “The feedback I received was always helpful, and the content was detailed. I’ve used what I learnt both in my job and in planning my future business.”
Looking Ahead: Building a Wellness Practice
With the foundation laid, Samantha is preparing to balance her finance job with growing her client base on weekends and evenings. Her long-term goal is to transition fully into her own wellness and coaching practice.
“I’m planning to reduce my days at work so I can take on more clients. It’s all coming together now.”
Journey of Transformation will offer one-to-one coaching and counselling support, with a focus on helping people overcome blocks and rediscover their sense of self.
“Sometimes we all need help seeing things from a different angle. I want to be the person who helps others get there.”
Inspired to Make a Change?
Samantha’s journey shows what’s possible when personal growth meets professional ambition. If you’re interested in helping others or building a business rooted in empathy and wellbeing, the Advanced Counsellor & Psychotherapist Level 4 course is a powerful place to start.