The recession has left many of us with low self-esteem, says life coach Sophia Davis.

Miss Davis, 31, is the newly-appointed resident life coach at woman's weekly Look, where she writes a column responding to reader concerns. She tells People: "Due to the difficult economy, people are feeling very unsettled. They are associating their value with money and people who are watching the pennies are struggling with their self-esteem.

"They need to value themselves for who they are, not for how much they earn. I am seeing a lot of people who are looking to revaluate their life, and it's all stemming from the economy."

Miss Davis, who lives in Borehamwood, Herts, qualified as a life coach five years ago. She has spent a lot of her time working with businesses. Today, she advises on issues ranging from relationship problems and to getting a pay rise to dealing with conflicts.

She also describes herself as a psychic medium, adding: "I am able to work with higher energies, which assist me in knowing the right questions to ask at just the right times."