at what point is coaching beneficial and saFE in A Trauma Recovery JOURNEY - Ensuring you are in safe hands?
‘‘‘Effective coaching requires understanding and respecting boundaries — not just setting them but also ensuring they align with the needs of the client to create a secure and empowering environment.’’
-David Clutterbuck, pioneer of developmental coaching and mentoring
Coaching can be beneficial in trauma recovery, particularly when it focuses on supporting personal development and setting future goals. However, it's important to distinguish between coaching and therapy, as they serve different purposes and are appropriate at different stages of recovery. Here’s when coaching might be appropriate in the context of trauma recovery.
This article outlines when to engage with Coaching as a complementary addition to medical treatment and/or therapy in the context of safe Trauma Recovery
1. After Stability Has Been Established
Coaching is most appropriate once a person has achieved a certain level of stability and emotional regulation. If someone is still experiencing acute symptoms of trauma, such as flashbacks, severe anxiety, or depression, therapy—especially trauma-informed therapy—is recommended to address these immediate psychological needs. Coaching can come into play after these symptoms are managed to help the individual build resilience and move forward.
2. When Focusing on Future Goals
Coaching is well-suited for individuals who are ready to set and achieve future-oriented goals. In the context of trauma recovery, coaching can help individuals identify their strengths, develop greater self-awareness, and create a vision for their future. This is particularly useful for those who have worked through the initial phases of trauma processing and are ready to focus on personal development and growth.
3. Building Personal and Professional Life
Individuals often seek to rebuild or redefine their personal and professional lives post-trauma. Coaching can provide support in these areas, helping them make strategic decisions that align with their values and long-term objectives. Depending on the individual's goals, this can include career coaching, life skills coaching, and executive coaching.
4. Enhancing Self-Management Skills
Coaching can be beneficial for developing self-management skills, such as time management, stress management, and self-care practices. For someone in trauma recovery, learning to manage daily stressors and commitments effectively can significantly improve their quality of life and facilitate sustained recovery.
5. Supporting Lifestyle Changes
Coaching can also support lifestyle changes that contribute to well-being and trauma recovery, such as improving physical health, developing healthy relationships, and engaging in meaningful activities. These changes can reinforce a person's resilience and help prevent relapse into negative patterns.
6. When Therapy Has Provided Necessary Tools
Coaching should only be sought if you have discussed it with your current support network and it has been agreed that you have gained enough tools from therapy to manage your trauma symptoms but want support in applying these tools through a ‘Trauma Aware’ Life Coach. Coaches can work alongside therapists to ensure a holistic approach to recovery.
Summary
It is essential for a coach working with trauma survivors to be knowledgeable about trauma and its impacts and to recognise the limits of their expertise. If trauma symptoms resurface or if you struggle with significant emotional or psychological difficulties during coaching, you should seek immediate advice from your Doctor or make a self-referral to mental health services. You must always feel safe; in such cases, coaching and therapy can complement each other, playing a distinct role in the individual’s recovery journey.