Holmes employs teacher for dating lessons

Katie Holmes has reportedly hired a dating coach.

The actress is keen to move on from her marriage to Tom Cruise and the 34-year-old beauty - who has six-year-old daughter Suri with her former spouse - has sought professional help to boost her confidence around men.

A source said: "It was after her birthday at the end of December that Katie decided it was time to give her love life a different approach.

"She's had one-to-one sessions and the occasional phone session, and she's learning how to approach people, as well as dating and flirting tips to get her confidence back.

"With a little bit of help, Katie now feels she's armed with enough confidence to start dating again and taking that next step to finding a perfect partner."

Katie's friends are said to have been keen to matchmake for her, but she opted to take a different approach to re-energising her love life.

The source added to Grazia magazine: "It's a new year and she wants to do something about it.

"It's really hard to meet people in New York, especially when you're a single mother. If she's lonely, it would be understandable.

"Friends have suggested setting her up with people, but she wasn't that keen, so she has now turned to a professional to give her a much-needed boost."