About
MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND SIMPLY BEYOND
Hi, I’m Debra
Life has taken me on many paths, shaping my strengths, skills, and passion for working with people.
One of my most defining experiences was spending 17 years with a growing software engineering company, balancing its evolution from a start-up to a mid-sized business alongside my own journey through marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood. This exposed me to the intricacies of business, the power of people development, and the value of creative, Agile thinking.
It was during this time that I discovered solution-focused coaching—an approach that transformed my own life. That spark led me to become a certified Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Coach, eventually expanding my expertise to Masterful Coaching, Mentor Coaching, Coaching Supervision, and Team Coaching. Now, I guide individuals, professionals, teams, and aspiring coaches on their own paths to growth.
My Approach
I don’t fit the traditional “life coach” mould, and honestly, I don’t love the term. If I had to choose, I’d call myself a transformational mentor, wellbeing navigator, or life choices strategist – because coaching isn’t about telling people what to do, but walking alongside them as they discover their own way forward.
My coaching and mentoring approach is influenced by a variety of factors, most significant among these being my ‘SIMPLE’ philosophy of solution-focused coaching and my personal values and interests.
The SIMPLE Philosophy
Insoo Kim Berg, the co-founder of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), said that taking the next step in life should be “Simple, but not easy. People think simple is easy, but simple takes a great deal of discipline.” In my own work, I encourage realistic goals and a desired future while keeping it SIMPLE:
Sensitive to who the client is and what they want
Intuitive to that which is not spoken
Mindful of being present in the moment
Purposeful in creating a comfortable, safe space
Listening attentively with compassionate interest
Encouraging the client to take action towards their desired outcome
“Emphasising the importance of simplicity in exploring new possibilities.”
A Personal Touch
First and foremost, everything I do in life is guided by my core values of Faith, Love, Growth, and Harmony. My faith is the foundation of who I am and what I believe, and I approach my work knowing that there is a divine purpose in everything I put my mind, heart and hands to.
I also find inspiration in nature, which is why, whenever possible, I offer walking sessions in the beautiful landscapes of Somerset West – because sometimes, clarity comes when we move.
“My greatest learning has been that it is less about what you do and more about WHO you are,
doing what you do with what you have.”
Explore the Blog
Beauty of Writing
Beauty of WritingBy Debra Thurtell The beauty of time to writeReflect restore reignite Pen and paper in handAllowing thoughts and emotions to land Hand to heart as words and feelings convergePictures, visions and dreams emerge A time to think and ponderExploring and...
Ethical Value-Based Leadership Culture
Ethical Value-Based Leadership Culture Would you agree with this statement?“An organisation is only as strong and successful as its employees and teams.” Would you agree with this next statement?“An organisation’s employees only work as efficiently and as productively...
Presence
Presence How do we present ourselves in conversations that create presence?And also, how do we respond to another person’s presence? Would we be able to know this if we don’t know what presence is? What is presence? “the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being...