Meet HQ Coaching

I’m Charlotte Hetherington, and I lead HQ Coaching, where I focus on confidence coaching for neurodivergent young people aged 11+ and their families. My specialty lies in supporting them during times when confidence, self-belief, or a sense of belonging feels fragile, particularly after challenging educational experiences. My approach to life coaching is calm, respectful, and non-pathologising. I firmly believe that effective neurodivergent support is about understanding differences rather than attempting to fix them; it requires the right kind of support and space.

I’m a very proud mum to two wonderful (and wonderfully exhausting) daughters. We live in the beautiful East Riding of Yorkshire, where we settled after moving up from London in 2016. My southern roots still show when I’m trying (and often failing) to pronounce local place names, or when it’s what Yorkshire folk would firmly describe as big coat weather.

I love being outdoors and take far too many photographs—including many of the images you’ll see on this site—though I’ll happily admit that I’m at my happiest returning from a muddy walk to a hot shower and a strong cup of Yorkshire tea.

As a life coach specializing in confidence coaching and neurodivergent support, I’m endlessly curious about people and how they experience the world. This curiosity means I’m almost always learning something new, which is one of my greatest strengths as a coach: I’m genuinely interested in you, and equally committed to continuing to invest in myself so I can offer thoughtful, informed support in return.

HQ Coaching provides coaching-led pastoral support, emphasizing confidence coaching instead of therapy or clinical treatment. I do not diagnose, assess, or treat medical or mental-health conditions, nor do I offer academic tutoring. My approach is future-focused and strengths-based, aimed at enhancing self-belief, identity, and readiness for change. This method can be particularly empowering for those seeking neurodivergent support. For young individuals already receiving assistance from a therapist or other professionals, life coaching can serve as a complementary resource by addressing different goals. I always clarify when a different form of support may be more suitable. These boundaries are essential, ensuring that the support remains safe, ethical, and genuinely beneficial.

Gardening is not one of my greatest skills, but I do love watching things grow. I’ve had some success with lavender, roses, and tulips, and I experience particular joy when my herbs survive long enough for my husband to cook with them, or when the strawberries mysteriously disappear into my daughters’ hands (and mouths) before ever reaching the kitchen. 

That love of growth—slow, uneven, sometimes surprising—sits at the heart of HQ Coaching, where I specialize in confidence coaching and life coaching, with a particular focus on providing neurodivergent support. 

Outside my family, my biggest passion is helping people recognize the wonder I can already see in them. There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching someone step into their self-belief through confidence coaching and realize they are capable of far more than they had come to think.

Alongside HQ Coaching, I bring over 20 years of experience in public-sector leadership, focusing on safeguarding and wellbeing systems. My work also includes hands-on life coaching with young people in alternative provision, ensuring my coaching is rooted in real, current experience rather than just theory. 

Having spent my life in neurodiverse environments, I understand that neurodiversity is a natural aspect of how people function. This long-standing exposure allows me to provide steady, practical neurodivergent support without alarm or labels, fostering confidence in those I coach through tailored confidence coaching approaches. 

HQ Coaching is named after my grandmothers, Hambleton and Quinn, whose quiet strength, resilience, and care continue to inform my approach to coaching and the values I uphold.

Every family arrives in a different place, often carrying uncertainty about what might help next. If you’re considering support, whether it’s confidence coaching, life coaching, or neurodivergent support, and aren’t sure if HQ Coaching is the right fit for you, we encourage you to reach out for an initial conversation. 

There’s no pressure and no expectation — just a calm space to talk things through and explore what feels right.

Earners of DISC Accreditation have a deeper understanding of the 4 DISC preferences, which enhances their capabilities in areas such as confidence coaching and life coaching. They recognize the differences between the graphs and possess the ability to provide clients with a complete DISC reading based solely on these graphs. Additionally, they are aware of special patterns, blends, and the intensity of each style, allowing them to effectively approach clients, including those seeking neurodivergent support. This understanding helps clients recognize their own strengths and developmental areas, ultimately maximizing their performance. This is a CPD Standards Office Accredited training programme.

Earners of NLP Practitioner possess essential tools and skills for confidence coaching, empowering individuals to uncover their personal genius and excel in their lives and the lives of others. They concentrate on what sets apart excellence from average performance across various fields. These practitioners provide life coaching and neurodivergent support, assisting clients in accessing their most resourceful states and internal resources. This guidance helps to 'clear internal clutter' and transform thoughts, feelings, and habits. Such a process is particularly beneficial for those looking to advance and achieve their goals and desired outcomes.