Can The Good Witches of the North work their magic on flagging confidence levels? Frances Wright checks in for a North Yorkshire empowerment boost

WHEN 'The Good Witches of the North' invite me to a 'Grab Your Wand' taster session, I'm intrigued. The workshop has nothing to do with frogs' legs or broomsticks however; these witches - aka life coaches Dannie-Lu Carr and Bec Howard - are all about working magic on women's confidence and empowerment.

Dannie-Lu is an assertiveness coach and a specialist in the psychology of performance, while Bec is a psychotherapeutic executive coach, specialising in the psychology of identity. They're combining their skills and experience to help women realise their utmost potential and self-worth, through a range of empowerment sessions and workshops held at the five-star Cleveland Tontine Hotel in North Yorkshire. The pair have held sessions across the county, including running training in York.

A 'Grab Your Wand' one-day workshop allows up to 24 women at a time to explore their reasons for wanting to change and take control of their lives, while simultaneously forming friendships with the rest of the group. Participants also get to enjoy the hotel's fabulous food - transforming your life is hard work, after all. The Witches have worked with women from all walks of life, from actors and company CEOs to housewives and grandmas. Their overall aim is simple: for women to feel confident and comfortable with their own brilliance.

In need of a boost after the breakdown of a long-term relationship, I was also eager to focus on the positive changes going on in my life, like my exciting new job. A wave of empowerment and self-confidence was exactly what I needed, but I was unsure if the Witches would really be able to help me.

I needn't have worried. The session began with a traditional psychotherapy-style discussion with Bec, where she introduced me to the concept of the 'drama triangle'. This is a pyramid with a persecutor, rescuer and victim that are always present - a typical negative behaviour pattern many of us will be familiar with (for me, it was becoming a 'rescuer' for men that probably weren't all that good for me, which meant I'd eventually become the 'victim' of the equation too).

Bec emphasised the need to extract myself from the drama triangle in order to approach things in a calm and considered way, and fully accept responsibility for my life and happiness (in other words, my own actions and participation in such dramas).

Next, Dannie-Lu filmed me listing my perceived 'virtues', and then made me watch the footage back. Talking about ourselves in a positive way isn't something that comes naturally to many of us; when asked to list my positive physical attributes, I was embarrassed and struggled at first. But once I got going, it was easier than I'd imagined. Watching myself back was very uncomfortable but Dannie-Lu brushed my embarrassment aside and explained it's important to see how you come across in order to convey the best version of yourself. She was right, of course - it really does help.

Together, we compiled a list of everything I wanted to achieve in my future, both personally and professionally, and she was resolute that absolutely anything was possible - providing, as mentioned, I took responsibility for my own empowerment, broke those negative cycles and based my actions on positive outcomes for myself.

Bec and Dannie-Lu's positivity was contagious, and refreshing. In just one short session with the Witches, it had become clear that by accepting myself and beginning to feel comfortable in my own skin, I would be enabling myself to reach my full potential - and unleash my inner magic.

7 WAYS TO FEEL MORE CONFIDENT AND EMPOWERED Keen to unleash your own inner magic? Here, Good Witches Dannie-Lu Carr and Bec Howard share seven top tips to help you on your way...

:: Make an 'I'm Awesome' list Every time someone says something pleasant about you, gives you credit, acknowledgement or a compliment, the best thing you can do (after saying thank you, of course) is write it down. Compile a list and read it back to yourself every day. You might cringe at first, but do it anyway - there's nothing quite like seeing yourself with all of your qualities and strengths at the forefront of your mind.

:: Tell others they rock!

We aren't suggesting blowing copious amounts of smoke up others' behinds. But when you notice something someone does or says in a positive light, tell them so. Make it specific, leave the saccharine smile behind and simply say what you need to say, because if this were you, you would like to hear it too. When people are acknowledged for something, they do more of it, and by telling others they rock, we realise how much we rock too.

:: Keep your eyes on the prize By going into any situation knowing what you want - whether it's to find out information, create a new connection, laugh as much as you can or whatever - you are more likely to achieve it, and enjoy yourself in the process.

:: Say it as it is Most of us worry way too much - about what people will say, think, the judgment... All this is wasted worry. If your eyes are on the prize and you have information about where the other person is at, then you can absolutely say things as they are in order to serve your own wants and needs, while making it appropriate in relation to the other person. All you need to do is trust yourself, open your mouth, say it then stop. No justification or explanation needed. Just be clear, confident and to the point.

:: Send the dirty boots away Do not ever allow yourself to be somebody's doormat. If someone does or says something that oversteps the mark, tell them. It doesn't have to be confrontational. Just clear and simple (see above). If they continue to attempt to treat you like this, then move them out of your world. You do not need other people's dirty boots in your life. You are not a doormat for them to clean them on. You are a confident human being. Got it? Great! Moving on...

:: Play at being grown up People play a lot of games. But like chess, Monopoly and Scrabble, they can only play with you if they have your permission. And how you play is also entirely up to you. So when the life games begin, ask yourself: Do I want to play? If the answer is no, then don't. If the answer is yes, then ask yourself: How do I want to play? We'd suggest as a grown-up on a level playing field, rather than child's play in a playground, where many people fall down and scrape their knees. Remember how much that hurts? It's your call. Confidence lies in the level playing field.

:: Hold your own Whatever you do, wherever you go and whoever you are with - stand in your height, stand in your width, stand in your depth. Own your voice. Own your space. Own your right to breathe and make noise. Do not shrink, shush, apologise or ask for permission. Ever. Simply be your full authentic self in your full authentic body and live your life in the way that makes you happy. Over and out.

:: For more information about The Good Witches of the North, their life-coaching and workshops and to get your free 'Confidence Booster Pack', visit www.thegoodwitchesofthenorth.co.uk