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Performance Coaching: Empowering Your Success in Interviews and Exams

Our team of coaches, a mix of doctors with coach-specific training and professional coaches experienced performance coaches, are pleased to have helped clients secure the very competitive spaces in College specialist training programs, enabling junior doctors pass specialist exams including for some, on their last attempts, as well as building capability and confidence for healthcare leaders succeed in high stake job interviews.

Testimonials

Many doctors who engaged Capstan Partners for performance coaching and completed their post-program evaluation were successful in achieving their outcomes whether that be passing their clinical exam, being accepted into their training program or job interview.

“Definitely glad I did it. Online, coach was also an MD, she was very practical, it really helped me when I was losing my mind”
“Overall excellent experience”
“It has been a 5 star experience to say the least with Rita's performance coaching throughout my specialist exam preparation. Rita has been incredible and supportive throughout the entire journey so thank you again Rita!”
“I liked having the sessions virtual as it was more convenient and felt more comfortable as well.”

Preparing for specialist training, job interviews and clinical exams can be an overwhelming experience. In fact often accompanied by unproductive levels of stress and anxiety. However, with coaching support, clinicians and healthcare workers can and do transform these challenges into opportunities for growth and success. Performance coaching offers a structured and effective approach to help clinicians and healthcare workers navigate through the high stakes process. Addressing three key factors that impact unhelpful levels of stress and anxiety, therefore influencing preparation and performance becomes an important part of the solution focus enabled by coaching.

Read more about stress and anxiety and three common themes that emerge from my twenty (plus!) years of performance coaching. 

Risks of Unhelpful Levels of Stress and Anxiety

Do you find yourself over-thinking, over-aroused, tense, and with brain fog?

Unmanaged stress and anxiety can have detrimental effects on interview and exam performance. Excessive levels of stress is likely to impair cognitive function, leading to difficulty in thinking clearly, recalling information, and problem-solving. 

Are you noticing unusually more sweatiness, a sense of loss of control, and feel your heart pounding?

Anxiety can hinder concentration, decision-making abilities and limits effective communication especially during crucial moments. Moreover, persistent anxiety can negatively impact overall mental and physical well-being, eating away at your confidence and motivation.

Capstan Coaching Manage Stress

If not now then when?Performance coaching is available virtually with four, 45 min sessions. Get in touch for an obligation free chat. Register your Expression of Interest to receive more information, T&Cs and fees detail available now.

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Capstan Coaching

Three themes often addressed in performance coaching

Embed higher levels of cognitive functioning and better strategies for successful preparation and outcomes. You can think more clearly, plan and follow through on effective study and preparation techniques, practice new memory enhancement methods, and time management skills. Better critical thinking, problem-solving, and help in building mental resilience, allows clinicians and healthcare leaders to approach and perform interviews and exams with clarity and confidence.

The socio-emotive aspects of performance coaching focuses on managing emotions and building self-belief. Insights often help clinicians and healthcare workers recognise and manage their inner-critic, reduce anxiety and give power to their inner-coach! Have a safe space to purge automatic negative thoughts, develop a positive mindset and boost self-belief, whilst leveraging a healthy and positive dose performance-related stress. What often emerges are more effective communication skills, so that you can express yourself coherently and confidently and build rapport during interviews and exams.

Behaviours play a huge role in interview and exam preparation and success. Developing effective preparation strategies, such as setting realistic goals, creating study/preparation schedules, and implementing accountability measures, practicing mock interview/exam questions, refining presentation skills, and seeking constructive feedback are all important. By addressing behavioural factors, you can approach interview and exam preparations, and the high-stakes on-the-day event with a structured and disciplined approach that you have decided works for you.

Why performance coaching works

Performance coaching is likely to take you from the fear zone to the growth zone by addressing the factors that you decide are important enablers of your success. 

The trusted relationship between you and your coach provides a personalised approach, a psychologically safe place and a supportive environment to learn and grow, that encourages self-reflection, continuing existing habits that have served you well, as well as embedding new, helpful habits, in ways you decide are the priorities. 

Coaching instils a sense of accountability and motivation too, helping you stay focused, enhancing self-awareness, confidence, and resilience, fostering a positive mindset and improving overall performance.

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Capstan Coaching OSCE

Boost Your OSCE Interview Performance with Performance Coaching

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations are a practical assessment method commonly used in medical, nursing, and other healthcare education programs.

Performance coaching helps you prepare for OSCE interviews by building confidence, sharpening communication skills, and reducing anxiety under pressure.

Rather than teaching or directing, coaching provides a reflective space to explore how you respond to clinical scenarios and patient interactions. Through guided self-awareness and insight, you’ll develop your own strategies for handling complex communication and ethical challenges. With practice and thoughtful feedback, you’ll learn to engage patients empathetically while staying clinically accurate.

Coaching empowers you to perform at your best—where knowledge and interpersonal connection matter most.

On the day of your interview, you’ll be equipped to stay calm, think clearly, and present your authentic, capable self.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Performance Coaching with Capstan Partners. If you have a question that isn't answered here and you'd like it answered, please let us know.

What is performance coaching for doctors?

Performance coaching helps healthcare professionals stay focussed, prepare and perform at their best in high-stakes, high-stress events such as fellowship clinical examinations, College and job interviews, training-scheme selection and other high-pressure assessments.

Working with a Capstan coach, you identify self-management techniques that suit you, then practise and refine them so you can manage anxiety, build confidence and present well under pressure.

Can coaching help with fellowship exam anxiety?

Yes. Managing fellowship exam anxiety is what performance coaching is designed for. Preparing how to remain calm and present well in a clinical examination requires self-management strategies that are hugely important yet rarely taught in medical training.

Performance Coaching targets the self-defeating thoughts, negative emotions and behaviours that undermine exam performance, and replaces them with rehearsed, personalised techniques you can rely on under pressure.

What's the difference between performance coaching and an exam preparation course?

An exam course teaches clinical content; performance coaching addresses how you prepare for and perform on the day. Capstan's coaches do not teach medical knowledge. They work on the psychology of performance: anxiety management, confidence, focus, composure under observation and clear communication.

Most candidates use training and coaching simultaneously, preparing content through their College or a course and performance development through coaching.

I keep failing the clinical exam despite knowing the content. Can coaching help?

Yes. Performance Coaching can help when exam failure reflects performance barriers rather than a lack of knowledge. A coach can help you identify the main issues you would like to address. Typical barriers include exam anxiety, exam performance technique, time management, confidence, synthesising clinical knowledge, or difficulty communicating under pressure or observation — followed by developing and practising a targeted action plan.

Coaching is most effective alongside scheduled practice, feedback and, where anxiety is significant, appropriate psychological support. Evidence for coaching specifically improving clinical examination scores is still developing, so it is not presented as a guaranteed solution. However, related research suggests structured coaching can reduce test anxiety and improve exam performance and outcomes.

Can Performance Coaching help with College or job interviews?

Yes. Preparing for a high-stakes interview such as selection onto a training scheme takes the same self-management skills as an examination: staying calm, thinking clearly under pressure and observation, and presenting yourself credibly. Performance coaching covers interview composure, structuring answers under pressure, managing nerves and projecting confidence authentically.

As with coaching for exam performance, coaching for interview performance is most effective alongside scheduled practice, feedback and, where anxiety is significant, appropriate psychological support. Evidence for coaching specifically improving interview outcomes is still developing, so it is not presented as a guaranteed solution. However, related research suggests structured coaching can reduce interview anxiety and improve interview performance and outcomes.

What techniques does Performance Coaching use?

Capstan's Performance Coaching uses a range of cognitive behavioural and evidence-informed coaching techniques to help participants understand and improve how they perform in challenging situations. Depending on your needs, this may include goal setting, strengths-based coaching, reflective questioning, solution-focused approaches, performance planning, visualisation, mindset and cognitive strategies, and developing practical strategies for managing pressure.

The approach is individualised rather than prescriptive. Coaches help participants identify what is affecting their performance, build on what is already working, and develop strategies to apply in real time.

How many Performance Coaching sessions do I need before an exam?

Capstan Partners' programs comprise a minimum of four sessions, ideally scheduled over three months or more before an exam, interview or other high-stakes event to optimise the coaching process.

How far in advance should I start my Performance Coaching program?

A Performance Coaching program should ideally be started at least three months prior to an exam, interview or high-stakes event.

Can I get Performance Coaching the week before my exam?

We generally don't recommend starting Performance Coaching in the week immediately before an exam. Meaningful preparation and performance change takes time, and coaching is most effective when there is an opportunity to understand the underlying challenges and strengths, develop strategies and put them into practice.

We'd encourage you to start earlier where possible, so there is time to work on your approach to preparation and performance before exam pressure peaks. If you're already in the week before your exam, we may recommend focusing on your existing preparation and support rather than commencing a new coaching program.

Who delivers Performance Coaching?

Capstan's Associates panel includes credentialed professional coaches accredited by the International Coaching Federation (at PCC and ACC levels), the Association for Coaching or the European Mentoring and Coaching Council. Some are doctors, and most have healthcare backgrounds.

The panel includes practising medical specialists, a registered psychologist, a senior nurse, and corporate coaches with extensive experience coaching in healthcare. Coach profiles and full credentials are published on the Capstan Partners team page.

Is Performance Coaching only for exams?

No. Performance coaching applies to any high-stress, high-stakes professional event: presenting at a conference or Grand Round, giving evidence, chairing a difficult meeting, negotiating a role, or returning to work after a break or adverse event.

The common thread is performing well under pressure, being observed and judged (formally or informally), and feeling scrutinised.

How much does Performance Coaching cost?

Individual coaching programs with Capstan start from $2,728.00 and include pre- and post-program psychological wellbeing surveys and debriefs, and between-session reflection and preparation support.

RACP members receive a 10% discount through the RACP Member Benefits platform.

Is a Performance Coaching program CPD eligible?

Performance Coaching may be eligible for CPD recognition in Australia and New Zealand when the program is relevant to a clinician's scope of practice and completed within the requirements of their CPD home, medical college or recertification provider.

Participants should confirm eligibility before enrolling and retain appropriate evidence of participation, learning, reflection and outcomes.

Are Performance Coaching sessions online?

Yes. Performance coaching is delivered virtually, so you can participate from any location in Australia or New Zealand.

Can Performance Coaching sessions fit around my roster?

Yes. Performance Coaching sessions are scheduled around your clinical and study commitments. Evening and weekend sessions can be agreed between you and your coach, so your program can continue through rotations, night and on-call shifts, and study or annual leave.

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Capstan Partners

Tracy Tresidder

Coaching Supervisor, MCC

Tracy Tresidder is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach, mentor, and esteemed teacher of coaching skills.

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Tracy Tresidder is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Master Certified Coach, mentor, and esteemed teacher of coaching skills.

With over 7000 coaching hours and 1000 mentoring hours, Tracy has honed her craft to guide and empower professionals in unlocking their full coaching potential exemplified by her over 15 years’ experience as Coaching Excellence, Credentialing Expert for ICF Australasia.

Her dedication to excellence and deep understanding of effective coaching techniques makes her a sought-after mentor. Tracy’s passion lies in supporting individuals to become impactful coaches, fostering growth, and achieving transformative results.

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    Capstan Partners

    Sara Thorn

    Program Administrator

    Sara Thorn is a former medical doctor and specialist medical administrator

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    Sara Thorn is a former medical doctor and specialist medical administrator with an interest in coaching, communication, conflict resolution, iterative improvement and effective implementation. Sara’s credentials include holding a clinical leadership role in Queensland Health and a Diploma of Leadership Coaching. She is the Program Lead for The Coaching Exchange,  Admin Support for Capstan Partners, and the Head of Operations for the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches.

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      Capstan Partners

      Karen Smith

      Associate Coach

      Karen is a career, leadership and performance coach who is enthusiastic about facilitation and team development opportunities.

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      Karen is a career, leadership and performance coach who is enthusiastic about facilitation and team development opportunities. With over 25 years in the healthcare sector, her background in Intensive Care Nursing and Organisational Development, brings evidence-based expertise spanning her clinical career, leadership development programs, and coaching practice.

      Her coaching approach draws on cognitive behavioural coaching, strengths-based practices, and person-centred principles to support wellbeing, balance, and communication in professional relationships. Karen’s shared experience of working in healthcare creates the foundation for an authentic coaching partnership, built on a genuine understanding of the complexities and challenges facing today’s healthcare professionals.

      Karen has held senior leadership positions, including Intensive Care Clinical Nurse Consultant, and holds a Master of Clinical Nursing (Intensive Care), a Graduate Certificate in Health Science Education, and is a Master of Science: Coaching Psychology candidate (2026). She is an ACC credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

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        Capstan Partners

        Marina Reid Wilson

        Associate Coach

        Marina Reid Wilson is a Registered Psychologist and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and leaders through meaningful, lasting change.

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        Marina Reid Wilson is a Registered Psychologist and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and leaders through meaningful, lasting change. Drawing on her Masters in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney, Marina integrates evidence-based approaches from positive psychology, neuroscience, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness to help clients thrive, not just cope.

        Marina has worked extensively with professionals in high-pressure environments, supporting them to build sustainable habits, strengthen resilience, and align their work with their values. She understands the particular demands placed on healthcare professionals; the complexity, the pace, the personal cost, and brings both rigour and warmth to every coaching relationship.

        Certified in Hogan Assessments and the Leadership Circle, Marina is dedicated to helping her clients find clarity, build confidence and lead with purpose in work and in life.

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          Capstan Partners

          Dr Eugene Wong

          Facilitator, FRACMA

          Eugene is a compelling voice as an educator and facilitator dedicated to developing the leadership and coaching capabilities of clinicians.

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          Eugene is a compelling voice as an educator and facilitator dedicated to developing the leadership and coaching capabilities of clinicians. With over 20 years’ experience as a medical doctor, his career spans remote clinics to major hospitals, offering a broad, system-wide perspective on healthcare. Eugene brings deep insight to his roles in clinical education, leadership, and wellbeing—mentoring many colleagues towards healthier, more fulfilling careers.

          His wide interests include Simulation Debriefing and Complexity Leadership. They enrich his facilitation style whilst championing a human-centred, restorative approach to leadership. Eugene various qualifications and Professional Memberships include a Master of Health Services Management and as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA). He is known for his curiosity, empathy, and belief in the potential of others.

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            Sharon Gillan

            Program Administrator

            Sharon is a detail-oriented administrator who loves to bring structure and organisation wherever she goes.

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            Sharon is a detail-oriented administrator who loves to bring structure and organisation wherever she goes.

            With over 15 years of experience, Sharon excels at implementing systems and processes to streamline workflows and is a project administration superstar – always making sure everything runs smoothly while organising and monitoring timelines and resources, and providing clear communication to all parties to ensure project success.

            Sharon has a Bachelor of Computing (Information Management) from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication) from Swinburne University of Technology.

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              Capstan Partners

              Dr Ira van der Steenstraten

              Executive Coach & Psychiatrist

              Ira is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with a background as a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and systems therapist.

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              Ira is an executive coach and leadership facilitator with a background as a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and systems therapist. With over 35 years of experience, she supports doctors and other professionals in high-stakes roles to lead with clarity and purpose. She is valued for her warm, insightful, and direct style—grounded in clinical expertise and a deep understanding of the challenges professionals face.

              Her coaching is person-centred and draws on a wide range of evidence-based approaches. Ira developed and facilitated the award-winning Wellbeing at Work programme for the Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) which to date has supported over 4,500 doctors to take better care of themselves and their colleagues. Ira delivers coaching and workshops across Australia and internationally.

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                Capstan Partners

                Ben Brearley

                Associate Coach, MBA

                Ben is a leadership coach, consultant and trainer with over 15 years of leadership and coaching experience.

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                Ben is a leadership coach, consultant and trainer with over 15 years of leadership and coaching experience in various sectors including healthcare, aged care, IT, construction and utilities.

                Ben has hands-on experience working alongside clinicians in major programs and projects in challenging work environments, including major new hospital development projects and healthcare technology implementations.

                Ben’s qualifications include a Diploma of Professional Coaching, Masters of Business Administration (MBA), a Bachelor of Science (Biochemistry), a Bachelor of Computer and Mathematical Science as well as various training and public speaking certifications.

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                  Capstan Partners

                  Dr Anne Whiteside

                  Associate Coach, EMCC SP

                  Anne is a Career, Performance and Leadership Coach with over 10 years of experience coaching doctors.

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                  Anne is a Career, Performance and Leadership Coach with over 10 years of experience coaching doctors. Anne has a passion for improving the wellbeing of doctors through focussing on strengths, values and supporting healthcare professionals to thrive.

                  Anne is Clinical Director of a large General Medicine department, a Specialist in General Medicine and Intensive Care and a business owner. She has held senior leadership roles in Quality Improvement and as Training Programme Director.

                  Anne is an EMCC Senior Practitioner certified coach, and has undertaken additional accreditation in career coaching. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians and Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (UK), and holds Diplomas in Medical Leadership and Medical Education.

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                    Capstan Partners

                    Meaveen Sullivan

                    Associate Coach, PCC

                    Meaveen is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 15 years’ experience working across a broad range of sectors.

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                    Meaveen is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with over 15 years’ experience working across a broad range of sectors including tertiary and vocational education in multicultural contexts with results-focused, high-performing international and domestic professionals.

                    With a passion for evidence-based best practice, her work focuses on leveraging strengths, values-aligned work/life integration, supporting wellbeing and building quality relationships. Her coaching approach fosters curiosity and innovation, enabling clients to develop the mindset, resilience and leadership skills to help them and their people thrive.

                    Meaveen is accredited as an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and holds a M of App Sc (Coaching Psych). She is a member of the University of Sydney Coaching and Mentoring Association and has MBA-level credentials in Leadership and Leading People and Change.

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                      Capstan Partners

                      Dr Dave Wood

                      Associate Coach, ICF ACC

                      Dave is a leadership, professional and executive coach, paediatric emergency physician, and Associate Professor with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare.

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                      Dave is a leadership, professional and executive coach, paediatric emergency physician, and Associate Professor with over 20 years’ experience in healthcare. He works across leadership, performance, coaching and mentoring, supporting individuals and teams to perform at their best.

                      Dave, as Associate Professor at a Queensland medical school, leads a clinical placement coaching program supporting medical students. Previous executive appointments include Clinical Director, Children’s Emergency Department and Director, Emergency Medicine Training.

                      He is Co-Founder and Co-Medical Director of a private paediatric healthcare service, having developed a strong interest in digital health, innovation and new models of care.

                      Dave holds Diplomas in Professional, Leadership and Executive Coaching and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC). He holds an MBChB (Hons) and is a fellow of the RACP (Paediatric Emergency Medicine), ACEM, and an Associate fellow of RACMA.

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                        Capstan Partners

                        Sue Sims

                        Associate Coach, MSc Coaching

                        Sue is an executive coach with over 10 years experience coaching health professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health leaders.

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                        Sue is an executive coach with over 10 years experience coaching health professionals including doctors, nurses and allied health leaders.

                        Sue has also designed and delivered coaching skill development programs to promote a coaching style of clinical practice to enhance patient outcomes, supervision of medical trainees and leadership of health organisations; co-founder of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Centre for Coaching and facilitator of the Mindful Doctors series for JMOs at Prince of Wales Hospital.

                        Sue has a Masters in Applied Science – Coaching Psychology, a Graduate Certificate in Health Leadership and Management and is a registered physiotherapist.

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                          Capstan Partners

                          Dr. Tania Morris

                          Medical Advisor & Coach

                          Tania is a leadership, performance and communication coach, an Anaesthetist and Pain Medicine Physician and a business owner.

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                          Tania is a leadership, performance and communication coach, an Anaesthetist and Pain Medicine Physician and a business owner. She has almost 30 years of experience working in healthcare.
                          Tania is accredited as an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), holds a Diploma of Leadership Coaching and Mentoring (FireUp) and a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis (ASH) and has trainer certification in both Process Communication Model and Leading out of Drama. She is a Supervisor of Training, Royal Hobart Hospital; a Staff Specialist Pain Medicine Physician and Co-Director of the Persistent Pain Medicine Service, Nambour Hospital; and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Pain Medicine.

                          Recent relevant projects:
                          Avant Micro-grant Recipient Coaching Program 2023/24
                          Westmead Hospital – Performing Better Together Trainee Education Program 2024
                          HNECCPHN – Leadership Coaching Program 2024
                          SWITCH: Learning to Ask not Tell (Public Program) 2023 & 2024
                          SWITCH: Learning to Ask not Tell (WSLHD ICU Program) 2022 & 2023
                          Individual Professional Coaching 2023 & 2024.

                          Qualifications:
                          Diploma of Leadership and Mentoring, Coaching, FireUp Coaching
                          International Coaching Federation: Associate Certified Coach
                          Hogan 360 Certification
                          Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, The University of Queensland
                          Diploma Clinical Hypnosis

                          Professional Memberships:
                          Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
                          Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Faculty of Pain Medicine
                          American Board of Independent Medical Examiners
                          International Coaching Federation

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                            Capstan Partners

                            Rita Holland

                            Director & Founder | PCC

                            Over the past twenty years Rita has successfully designed, led and delivered a range of behavioural science-based programs

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                            Rita is a program lead, facilitator and professional leadership coach. Over the past twenty years Rita has successfully designed, led and delivered a range of behavioural science-based programs. These services include group and individual coaching for leadership, professional development, performance improvement and career transition coaching programs, wellbeing & resilience training and coaching programs, and organisation and cultural alignment consulting programs.

                            Her coaching experience includes over 2,000 hours with senior leaders, including clinical and non-clinical doctors and healthcare professionals.  Rita graduated in 2007 with a Masters Applied Science (Coaching Psychology) Uni of Sydney and was awarded Professional Certified Coach (PCC) accreditation from the International Coach Federation (ICF) in 2020. Her ICF PCC Assessor accreditation in 2024 involves evaluating coaching competencies and ensuring adherence to ICF guidelines for quality and effectiveness for coaches who have completed at least 500 hours of coaching experience.

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