Why is it important for coaches to be trauma-informed?

Dear Coaches and Practitioners,

Imagine yourself in the following situation with a coaching client. You have established a collaborative thinking space and a relationship of trust, rapport and connection. The session (or course of sessions) seems to be going well. You ask them a simple coaching question that generates an answer you neither expected nor asked them for. Your client discloses details about adverse events from their past that were traumatising to them. What do you do if this is beyond your coaching agreement, client contracting and professional boundaries, your scope of professional practice, training level or current skillset?

Maybe this has already happened to you, as many coaches find themselves in this situation with clients who disclose trauma. It has often been my professional experience as a coach, trainer and co-coaching facilitator. When I’ve asked many newly certified as well as experienced coaches if they’ve ever been in a situation like this too, almost all of them have. Coaches have asked me what to do in these situations, how to stop this from happening, and whether I’ve written about my experience and approach. The need and enthusiasm for more information inspired me to write my book to trauma-inform and support you as a coach, as well as your clients, sharing some content from my signature trauma-informed coach professional development course.

Now is the time for us all to consider new and additional client centred approaches, including a coaching and change work approach based on individual needs and outcomes. The mental health and emotional wellbeing of adults and children all over the world have been impaired by the pandemic, social distancing restrictions and other significant global events including wars and conflicts. Mental healthcare provision in the UK was stretched before the emergence of COVID-19, with only the most urgent cases being able to access help. This is a global issue that’s not unique to the UK. A large body of evidence-based research links the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on both physical and mental health and life expectancy. Therefore, it’s vital for us to become a more trauma-informed, trauma-aware society. Coaches are well positioned to make a positive impact with their specific skills, knowledge and awareness. Whether you coach in an organisation, private practice or as a volunteer, you’ll find helpful information and unique coaching models in my book. As you read, you’ll be invited to explore your response to the case studies as if they are your clients, and to identify your professional practice and training needs. Coaching is primarily focused on working with clients in the present moment and orienting them to the future. However, sometimes a client’s past prevents their progress. Some find it a challenge to be fully present; they can ruminate on and relive their past while feeling anxious and worried about their future.

Many psychotherapists and counsellors are adopting a coaching and change work approach with their clients. They are trained in coaching and change work methods, including mindfulness, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Integral Eye Movement Techniques (IEMT), but not all of them also have in-depth trauma training. Other coaches have attended coach training specific to their professional field, niche or area of coaching interest and have no trauma awareness; it’s not a requirement of a coach training course syllabus. I have included content in this book to close knowledge gaps and develop skills, raise awareness of complex issues, and inspire deeper learning and understanding of the impact of trauma on the lives of your clients and everyone with whom they interact. Being trauma-informed and aware will help you to become a more effective coach. I don’t intend to instruct you on how to work with traumatised clients in my book, but to trauma-inform you and raise your trauma awareness and show you how I work with my own clients in the case studies.

The multi-layered topic of trauma requires specific training and professional development for those who wish to become trained to appropriately and effectively coach clients who have experienced trauma and adversity. There’s no set format or list of questions to ask when working with clients. Integrative coaching is generative, developmental, client-focused and client-led. There’s no one answer, approach, technique or medication that suits every client. Clients are unique and individual, as are their life experiences and circumstances.

You can order a copy of my book the Trauma-Informed Coach: Strategies to support clients when their past prevents progress from all major book sellers. It is also available internationally as an ebook, see the links below.

The next Trauma-Informed Coach CPD training is 21, 22, 23 April 2023. This training is led by Joanna Harper, Trauma-Informed Coach author, course developer and trainer.

If you want to train to be a coach with us, the next NLP Diploma starts on 15^th Maya 2023. This course is the pre-requisite to NLP Coach, which starts on 5^th June 2023.

Bookings are now open, complete the registration form – you can secure your place with a £100 deposit.

If you are not sure where to start – book on our upcoming Discovery Day on 5^th February 2023

We hope to see you at an event soon!

Warmest wishes, Joanna