Find Trauma Informed Coaches near you

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FAQs:

What is a Trauma Informed Coach?

A trauma-informed coach is a practitioner who is aware (informed) of the complex impact that trauma can have on your life but doesn’t concentrate sessions on “fixing” you or your trauma. Importantly, a trauma-informed coach is not the same as a mental health therapist, as the methodology each practitioner uses, the education they’ve completed, and their scope of practice are distinct.

What Does a Trauma-Informed Coach Do?

A trauma-informed coach works with a client to help them understand their trauma response as a supportive professional in their life. In other words, the coach and the individual work together to develop recovery goals, identify resources needed, and support the individual in the change they determine is best for their needs.

Trauma-informed coaches do not provide a diagnosis or provide oversight or case management services. They do not create the treatment plan or choose the specific goals or methods used as part of the coaching process. Instead, the coach works with the individual to develop and change responses and future behaviors that are in alignment with the individual’s goals.

A simple way to think about trauma-informed coaching is to see it as the step-by-step changes an individual wants to make in his or her life. This includes learning to use more beneficial coping mechanisms, building resilience, and how to become more self-confident. Self-determination is critical in this type of coaching, and the outcomes or changes through the process are entirely based on the client’s goals.

Trauma coaches should be certified and trained in assisting people who are recovering from trauma in their lives. Specialized training is important so the coach understands how the trauma has affected the individual and how to customize a unique coaching program to support their choice of goals.

What is Trauma-Informed Coaching?

Trauma-informed coaching is a coaching practice that integrates an understanding of the impact of trauma into the coach’s framework. It acknowledges past traumas and seeks to create a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to grow and move forward. This approach recognizes that trauma can affect all dimensions of well-being, and focuses on building resilience and empowering the client. A hoped-for outcome is that by deepening our understanding of how people are affected by trauma, we as coaches can avoid triggering clients or re-traumatizing them.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, the death of a loved one, war, and more. Immediately after the event, shock, and denial are typical. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.

Why is Trauma-Informed Coaching Important?

Research shows that around seventy percent (70%) of adults in the US have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. However, it is important to note that Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) is the more common response to trauma. 

Trauma is not a mental illness unless it becomes PTS. Trauma can be the result of various experiences, such as accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, loss, ongoing stress, and even vicarious exposure to trauma. The profound effects of trauma extend beyond individuals, influencing relationships, work performance, and overall community well-being. To support those who have experienced trauma on their journey towards resiliency and reclaiming their lives, trauma-informed coaching focuses on motivation and re-engagement.

What is the Difference Between Whole Person Coaching and Trauma-Informed Coaching?

Whole Person Coaching and Trauma-Informed Coaching are both approaches to coaching, but they have distinct focuses and methodologies:

Whole Person Coaching takes a holistic approach, considering all aspects of an individual’s life, including career, relationships, health, spirituality, and personal fulfillment. It aims to create a sense of balance and fulfillment across different dimensions This approach engages with the entirety of an individual’s being in any aspect of their life. It considers doing, thinking, feeling, being, and somatic sensing. The goal is to foster positive and transformative change by working with the whole of who someone is on the inside and out. It draws from a multi-modality approach, including elements of cognitive and relational neuroscience, positive psychology, narrative coaching, somatic psychology, and Jungian psychology. Whole Person Coaching applies to a wide range of coaching scenarios and is not limited to specific contexts or populations.

Trauma-informed coaching focuses specifically on understanding and addressing trauma and its effects on individuals. It recognizes the prevalence of trauma and the potential impact it can have on a person’s well-being and behavior. This approach is sensitive to the potential presence of trauma and emphasizes safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in the coaching relationship. The primary goal is to support individuals in self-directed healing and transformation from trauma, building resilience, and reclaiming agency over their lives. It involves techniques and strategies that are trauma-sensitive, such as creating a safe and supportive environment, using grounding techniques, and avoiding re-traumatization. Trauma-informed coaching is particularly relevant for individuals who have experienced trauma or adverse life events. It can be applied in various contexts, including therapy, counseling, or coaching settings.

While Whole Person Coaching takes a comprehensive approach, considering all aspects of an individual’s life for overall well-being, Trauma-Informed Coaching specifically addresses the presence of trauma and focuses on creating a safe and empowering environment for individuals who have experienced trauma. Both approaches are valuable and can be applied in different contexts depending on the needs and experiences of the coachee.

What’s the Difference Between a Trauma-Informed Coach and a Traditional Therapist?

Therapists are the front-line workers of mental health care. They operate under a medical model of care, whereas Coaches operate under a support model. Therapists work with and treat trauma. Trauma Informed Coaches, do not treat trauma. They are simply aware of all of the nuances of working with clients who have experienced trauma. Trauma Informed Coaching is the practice of understanding the presence of past trauma in a client’s present-day experience, and how to use it as a guide for resilience and solution-forward coaching strategies.

Types of Trauma

Trauma is a profound and often overwhelming experience that can significantly impact an individual’s emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Understanding the types of trauma is crucial for coaches to offer effective support. Although the boundaries are not always clear, we can usually categorize trauma into four types.

1. Acute Trauma: Results from a single distressing event, such as an accident or sudden loss.

2. Chronic Trauma: Stems from prolonged or repeated exposure to highly stressful events, like ongoing abuse or bullying.

3. Complex Trauma: Often associated with exposure to multiple traumatic events over time, typically of an interpersonal nature, such as domestic violence or childhood neglect.

4. Secondary Trauma: Also known as vicarious trauma, this affects individuals who are indirectly exposed to the trauma experienced by others, such as caregivers or first responders.

Key Principles of Trauma-Informed Coaching

Trauma-informed coaching is a specific approach to coaching that takes into account the impact of trauma on your life and well-being. It involves understanding how trauma can affect your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, and adapting coaching strategies and techniques accordingly. There are several key principles of trauma-informed coaching, including:

1. Recognizing the prevalence of trauma: Trauma is more common than many people realize, and it can have far-reaching and long-term effects on your mental health and well-being. As a result, coaches who are trained in trauma-informed approaches (like all of our coaches) recognize that trauma may be a factor for many of their clients, and take this into account when working with them.

2. Promoting safety and trust: A key aspect of trauma-informed coaching is building a sense of safety and trust with clients. This may involve creating a safe, supportive environment, setting clear boundaries, and being mindful of triggers that may be associated with the client's trauma.

3. Focusing on strengths and resiliency: While trauma can have significant impacts, it is important to also recognize and build upon your strengths and resiliency. Trauma-informed coaches help you to identify your strengths and develop strategies for leveraging them to achieve your goals.

4. Being aware of power dynamics: Trauma can often involve a loss of power or control, and coaches need to be mindful of this when working with clients. This may involve being aware of one's power as a coach and working to create an equitable and collaborative relationship with the client.

5. Providing informed consent: Trauma-informed coaches ensure that you are fully informed about the coaching process and have the opportunity to provide informed consent before beginning work together. This may involve discussing the potential risks and benefits of coaching, and ensuring that you feel comfortable and able to participate in the process.

The 4 R’s of the Trauma-Informed Approach

The concept of a trauma-informed approach emphasizes the importance of providing support and assistance to individuals who have experienced trauma. We strive to be sensitive, compassionate, and empathetic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA’s) 4R approach is well-established and effective. The 4R’s are:

1. Realization: Recognize the prevalence and impact of trauma. Understand that trauma can have long-lasting effects on individuals and that it may manifest in various ways, both overtly and subtly.

2. Recognition: Identify the signs and symptoms of trauma. Be aware of the potential behavioral, emotional, and physical indicators of trauma in individuals, as they may present differently in different people.

3. Response: Respond in a compassionate and supportive manner. Create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals feel heard, validated, and understood. Respond to their needs with empathy and respect.

4. Resist re-traumatization: Ensure that practices and policies are in place to prevent re-traumatization. Create trauma-informed systems that prioritize safety, autonomy, and the well-being of individuals. Foster an environment that promotes trust, collaboration, and respectful communication.

Trauma-Informed Coaching Tools

A trauma-informed coach is typically equipped with various tools and resources to support you in navigating how complex emotions, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors may show up in your coaching sessions and life. Examples of these tools include:

1. Grounding techniques

2. Meditation and mindfulness strategies

3. Breathwork

4. Values and beliefs exercises

Benefits of Working with a Trauma-Informed Coach

Trauma-informed coaches make sure that a client feels safe while working with them both physically emotionally and mentally.

1. Safety: trauma-informed practice makes sure that a client feels safe while working with you both physically emotionally and psychologically.

2. Trustworthiness: Trauma-informed approach emphasizes transparency (e.g., the person is informed of goals and boundaries), which fosters their self-confidence and the ability to manage their emotions.

3. Peer Support: Trauma-informed practice acknowledges that individuals experiencing trauma are not alone and can turn to peers (also known as “trauma survivors”) for support.

4. Collaboration: trauma-informed practice is focused on treating clients like partners who can collaborate with a professional to accomplish a goal and make decisions together.

5. Empowerment: Trauma-informed practice works to give clients the skills they need to leverage their strengths, become resilient, and take charge of their lives.

6. Cultural Consideration: Trauma-informed practice focuses on eradicating any prejudices or biases related to race, gender, ethnicity, or culture.

Qualities to Look for in a Trauma-Informed Coach

When seeking a trauma-informed coach, here are key qualities to look for:

1. Committed to an active healing journey around their trauma.

2. Proficient in a toolkit (or toybox!) of effective self-regulation practices.

3. Understanding of client behaviors in the context of the science and history of the human stress/trauma response.

4. Normalizing client behaviors through the lens of the adaptive nature of biological trauma responses.

5. Responsive in adjusting their coaching approach to minimize trauma in clients. First, not harm.

6. Skilled at offering clients opportunities for holistic growth, healing, and insight beyond the transactional agenda.

7. Connected to other practitioners to whom to refer clients, or with whom to partner, when additional support beyond their abilities or qualifications is necessary or ideal for a client.

8. Consistent in tenaciously respecting personal and professional boundaries – their own as well as the client’s.

9. Engaged in ongoing learning, training, and supervision around coaching, trauma, and trauma-informed coaching.

How to Find a Trauma-Informed Coach Near Me

Now, how do you find a high-quality trauma-informed coach? Thankfully, the steps for finding a trauma-informed coach are similar to those for other types of coaches and include:

1. Getting clear on your expectations, goals, and anticipated outcomes for coaching.

2. Identifying a practitioner who possesses advanced training and education in coaching.

3. Reviewing and verifying multiple testimonials from a prospective coach’s former clients.

4. Conduct chemistry calls (no-obligation consultations) with several coaches to find the right one for your needs and goals.

Sources:

Caffeinated Kyle

Lumia Coaching

Traumastery

Coach Training World

Sherry Gaba

APA

Grief Work Center

Mentor Agility

My Healing Hub

Better and Betterer

Animas

Susana Rinderle