Build creativity and confidence for life, work and art.

Whether you’re writing a book, building a business or creating a new chapter in your personal or professional life, our individual and group coaching is the ideal space to discover and celebrate your voice.

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Client words

  • “My time with Rachel has been an incredible journey of self-discovery, focus and newly instilled faith. There's no pressure, just a gentle unraveling of purpose, self-belief, progress and the discovery of tools I never knew I had.

    It's incredible how I can look back and see all of the goals she helped me visualise and plan, and then see how I actually moved forward to achieve them.

    What seemed like tiny steps led to things I wanted, it was Rachel’s guidance in tackling difficult thoughts and thought processes that helped me to progress.”


    Simret Cheema-Innis
    Producer and performer

  • “I have been coached by Dr Rachel Knightley for about seven months now, and it has transformed every aspect of my life.

    Rachel is kind, intuitive and insightful.

    She has helped me show up with greater authenticity.

    As a result, my health, work, relationships, hobbies and spirituality are all stronger – and also more fun.

    I now experience greater curiosity, feel more adventurous and more in flow.

    Thank you, Rachel!”


    Dr Kim Fleet
    Author and academic

  • "Rachel is kind, empathetic and direct in her approach, while offering tailored guidance and support. I have already learned a lot from our work together; she’s helped me not just with specific issues, but has also helped me develop my way of thinking about and dealing with clients, which I implement every day.

    Rachel provided guidance on difficult work-related communications, and I have found her help invaluable.

    I would absolutely recommend her to anyone struggling with succinctness and clarity in work-based communications."

    Vanessa Thompsett
    Tutor and writer

  • “When I look at my life before and after discovering Rachel’s coaching, I’m a different person. My confidence has grown not only in my work but in myself. The way I approach my mental health, what I want in my life... the change in how I show up for myself is almost unrecognisable.

    Rachel helped me realise I am not alone, that the thoughts that happen inside my head don’t alienate me but actually connect me to others.

    I feel like I’m putting myself first for the first time in my life, without judgement – and reminding myself I can choose the life I want to live.”


    Isabella Barbieri
    Office manager and performer

  • “I was so hamstrung by perfectionism and had a whole load of stories going on about what it meant to ‘get it wrong.’ You were just the right combination of warm and encouraging, all of my reasons for not doing it were just taken away.

    No one has ever been perceptive enough to realise I'm editing constantly, every second of every day, speaking or writing, there's a constant editing process going on. And you just saying don't edit anything yet, that was transformational. I even signed up for a programme to write my website which I would not have signed up for without having done work with you.”


    Karen Maddock
    Business and personal coach

  • “Rachel provides the most nourishing, unconditional, loving space to feel safe, heard and supported. My confidence has flourished. As a branding expert I knew the importance of finding your unique voice. I had lost mine through past experiences.

    Now it couldn’t feel more different. Rachel has supported me to find myself again. I’m free now. I have done a lot of deep reflecting, triggered by our sessions.

    I can’t believe the ripple effect this is having. Rather than looking for inspiration, I learnt that I am my own inspiration, and I can’t thank Rachel enough.”


    Caroline Gardner
    Brand strategist

About Dr Rachel Knightley

Rachel’s lifelong love of connection, communication and performance began with acting and directing in theatres, schools, workplaces, charities and universities. It formed her fascination with perception and reality, and how the stories we tell ourselves shape our identity.

This is a deep theme in her writing and coaching: unearthing the stories we’ve grown from, and the stories we can choose to grow towards.

Rachel has an MA and PhD in Creative Writing, and PGCerts in Teaching Creative Writing (University of Cambridge) and Business and Personal Coaching (University of Chester and Barefoot Coaching). She holds PCC accreditation (Professionally Certified Coach) and is full member of the International Coaching Federation and Society of Authors. Rachel’s background in writing, speaking and directing showed her confidence was never about being loud. True confidence was always about authenticity.

Being at home in our voices means unearthing the power, potential and possibility of the tools we already have; owning and expressing our values; creating the life we want. This happens when we experience the freedom to show up as ourselves. And that’s what Rachel Knightley Coaching – and our InkCouragement newsletter, workshops and membership – are here to create.

Sessions with Rachel take place either online via Zoom or in London, with bases in W1D and SW13.

Rachel offers flexibility on coaching fees for emerging professionals and those on lower incomes.

Enquire here

How we can work together

Whether it’s the book you want to write, the business you want to create, deeper connection with your career, relationships or personal goals – the change you want begins here.

One-to-one coaching

1:1 coaching and supervision for coaches. Explore where you are, where you want to go, and how we’ll get you there.

Enquire here

Group coaching

InkCouragement, Coffee & Creativity and Barnes Writers’ Gym take place in central and southwest London and online.

Enquire here

Under-18s

Creative writing, speech and drama coaching for 6-18 year-olds, building confidence and joy in the written and spoken word.

Enquire here

Listening to the stories we’re already telling ourselves, owning the changes we’re ready to make.

Rachel’s own career has never been about predictability or easy options. As an author, freelance writer, lyricist, director, performer, Professionally Certified Coach and member of the International Coaching Federation, she knows how hard – and how transformational – learning to listen to our inner sense of direction can be.

Rachel’s gently powerful facilitation creates a confidential, supportive and aspirational space to tune into who you are and create the circumstances you truly want.

There is nothing Rachel loves more (apart from writing) than helping others find clarity in what they want to create, on the page and in the world. Rachel partners with you to get curious and creative about your goals and how, together, you’ll make them reality.

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Clients Rachel Knightley Coaching has had the pleasure of supporting

About the team

The Rachel Knightley Coaching office is managed by Bella Barbieri. Rachel and Bella met at Roehampton University, where Bella was Rachel’s MA student on the Short Story and Novel-writing modules. Upon graduation with a master’s degree in creative writing (distinction), Bella was awarded the Creative Writing Pathway Prize and was one of only two in her year to have their short story chosen for publication in The Rook, a short story anthology by Fincham Press. Bella now edits the anthologies of Green Ink Sponsored Write for Macmillan Cancer Support, founded by Rachel in memory of her fellow Roehampton BA student Sophie Porter (1982-2007).

Bella oversees the day-to-day administration of Rachel Knightley Coaching and The Writers’ Gym. As a member and client herself, Bella knows just how much goes into the process of creative writing and of creating a writing life – as well as the satisfaction that comes out of showing up for yourself in this way.

When Bella is not working on her own writing, she spends most of her time staring lovingly at her dog and reading as many books as she can!

Contact Rachel Knightley coaching

Discover how Rachel Knightley Coaching can help you unearth your voice.

Curious about where your next chapter could take you? Then you’re already on your way to finding out. Open the conversation here.

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