Coaching For Success

Karen Cousins Author

Music and Dyslexia Educator, Instrumental Music Teacher, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach

I have over 25 years experience in instrumental music teaching, specifically piano, music theory and composition. I understand dyslexia from every angle: Personal, Parent and Teacher. As well as being neurodivergent myself and a Mum of 2 neurodiverse children, I have taught many neurodiverse learners, which include those with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Aspergers and ADHD.

After returning to education as a mature student to study Music, I have a BA (Hons) from Southampton University. My 1 year research project, Music and Dyslexia, gave me a greater depth of knowledge on a subject that I was already passionate about. I also hold a Music Teaching and Dyslexia:Practical Insights certificate from the British Dyslexia Association.

I went on to train as an NLP Coach with the Co-creator of NLP (neuro linguistic programming) Dr. Richard Bandler, and also trained as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach with the NHS.

I am passionate about experts working together to make a positive difference. I am on the Hampshire Dyslexia Association Committee, a member of Dyslexia Scotland, The NeuroDiversityGiFTS (NDGiFTS) Group and the Incorporated Society of Musicians.

The Book

I was inspired by my talented students to write the book Dyslexia and Success:The Winning Formulas, to empower the thousands of children who are struggling unnecessarily with dyslexia. The book shows real life examples of what is possible when you focus on your talents and strengths and have the right support for any challenges.

I am on a mission to support as many students, parents and teachers as possible. Through the Dyslexia and Success GoFundMe campaign, I aim to give a copy of the book to every state secondary school, sixth form college and young offenders institute in the UK.

Neurodiversity Coaching

1:1 Coaching focusing on both strengths and strategies to achieve goals and support positive Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Combining the Winning Formulas to Success that many amazing leading role models such as Sir Richard Branson, Sir Tom Jones and Kelly Hoppen have shared with me, along with the NLP Coaching and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching work that I do with the NHS, I am able to offer a unique Neurodiversity Coaching and Mentoring service that achieves amazing results.

1:1 Coaching is available face to face and online.

Music and Dyslexia

1:1 lessons for students with dyslexia who are learning a musical instrument are currently available via online lessons. Applying personalised strategies that can be taught in just a few lessons can benefit positive life long learning with dyslexia. Many strategies including multi-sensory techniques to help with processing information, and planning skills can be transferable to other subjects.

1:1 and group training for instrumental music teachers is also available online. This is particularly useful for instrumental music teachers who teach children in a 1:1 lesson. It is often easier to spot children who may have undiagnosed dyslexia in this setting, compared with a large classroom teaching environment. Training can be given on how to spot children who may have dyslexia as well as successful strategies to help with learning a musical instrument.

Coaching for Success

My mission to ensure neurodiverse students can achieve their very best led me to train and qualify as a professional coach. Helping students to achieve their wider goals is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.

Testimonial

Parent, New Forest Hampshire

“Karen Cousins taught my Son, Charles piano, from age 9 years – 15years. During those six years, Karen brought out the musicality in Charles and helped him to become a truly talented pianist. Karen encouraged Charles to enter many competitions and grade exams in which he enjoyed much success and gained confidence. He took 1st place at Bournemouth music festival to become junior pianist of the year in 2014. He achieved A* in his GCSE music exam. After studying Music at A-Level, Charles went to The Royal Holloway College to study music at degree level. He graduated with a BMus and is now an organ scholar at the Christchurch Priory. Charles has Asperger syndrome, diagnosed at age 12, Karen recognised his need for a unique teaching approach long before his diagnosis and was correct in her observations of his Dyslexia.
Karen is not only, kind, caring and very patient, but has inspired Charles to enjoy learning and love, in particular, classical music.
I believe we were extremely fortunate in finding Karen Cousins and really don’t know what we would have done without her.”