Manage stress.
Enhance communication.
Improve outcomes.

Well-being. Performance. Leadership.

Coaching & Education for Medical Professionals.

Irene Contreras. ICON. Icon-coaching. Confident, smiley coach looking directly into the client eyes inviting to open up and trust.


I support surgeons and faculty leaders in managing stress and preventing burnout — while strengthening the clarity, balance, and communication skills needed to lead and teach effectively.


For those who are committed to excellence, growth, and meaningful impact, clarity becomes the foundation for sustainable performance and professional fulfillment.
 

Let's talk

Coaching surgeons beyond burnout

Professional coaching for surgeons seeking clarity, balance, and sustainable growth.

You’ve spent your career caring for others. Now it’s time to take care of you.

You lead under pressure, make critical decisions, and carry responsibility that few understand.

Even the most skilled surgeons can feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure how to find balance again.

Coaching gives you space to pause, reflect, and realign.

To protect your well-being, and reconnect with the purpose that brought you to this profession.

You don’t have to face burnout alone.

Let’s find your way forward.

You lead a surgical team and shape the next generation of surgeons.

To bring out the best in your team, you need an environment of open communication and trust in the operating room and beyond.

Seamless collaboration among surgeons, residents, nurses, and staff to drive excellence in patient care.

At the same time, you’re guiding your department through change—new technologies, evolving surgical techniques, shifting leadership roles, and the ongoing demands of education and innovation.



How do you set a clear course, inspire your team, and lead them with confidence while developing your career?

Take Action

FAQ

  • Often, you know by how a conversation feels.
    If there’s ease, if something clicks — that’s enough to begin.

    This isn’t about convincing or promising.
    It’s about showing up, listening, and seeing if there’s a fit.

    We can start there — simply, and without pressure.


  • We’ll meet on Zoom, weekly or bi-weekly to keep the momentum going, for an agreed period of time.

    We can also meet face-to-face, for one focused day of working together.

    But the work doesn’t end when our session does.
    Life continues between conversations, and so does our connection.

    That’s why I offer ongoing support via WhatsApp while we work together.
    For when something unexpected shows up.
    For sharing a small win, a moment of clarity, or simply staying close to what matters.

    You’re not just booking sessions.
    You’re investing in a partnership.

  • Individual coaching packages are designed to make it easier for you to invest the time needed to reach your goals.

    Each package is tailored to your specific needs.

    One-off sessions are also available for addressing a specific issue or decision—pricing available upon request.

Let's start

About me

I’m a medical educator specialized in faculty development, teaching non-technicals skills in surgical education, and a professional coach for healthcare professionals seeking more human-centered ways of working, without neglecting their performance nor their well-being.

I work with individuals and teams navigating complexity in high-paced environments. I support them in finding clarity, confidence and direction. Tansforming challenges into opportunities, guiding them toward grounded, meaningful solutions.


Curious by nature, I’ve followed a path that’s anything but linear: from freelance translator to language teacher, from the halls of the United Nations to the heart of medical education and professional coaching.

Originally from Madrid, Spain, I live in Winterthur, Switzerland, a place I now call home after years of crossing disciplines, cultures, and languages (I can speak spanish, italian, english, french and german fluently).

Beyond work, I’m a mom of two vibrant little girls, a handcrafter, a life-long learner, and a curious traveler.

Know more

Certificates & Accreditations

The ICON Approach™

A Human-Centered Framework
for Change That Lasts

My work is shaped by the ICON approach™, my simple yet powerful framework that guides every coaching conversation, workshop, and facilitation session.

It stands for:

I — Inclusive Leadership
True leadership invites difference. We explore how to lead with presence, embrace diverse perspectives, and create spaces where every voice has weight.

C — Cultivating Empathy
Empathy is more than understanding, it’s connection in action. Together, we build the skills to listen deeply, hold complexity, and respond with clarity and care.

O — Open Communication
When we communicate with authenticity and courage, relationships shift. You’ll learn to speak your truth with intention, navigate tension with grace, and foster trust.

N — Navigating Change
Change is constant. With the right tools and mindset, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We focus on building resilience, staying aligned with your values, and moving forward with confidence, even in uncertain terrain.

This is more than a method. It’s a mindset. Flexible, compassionate, and designed to support real transformation. Whether you're a seasoned leader or in the midst of redefining your path, the ICON approach meets you where you are and grows with you.

Contact me

Curious to connect or explore working together?

Speaking with a potential coach is an important step in finding the right partner for your growth.

To see if we match well, I encourage you to schedule a free discovery call here.