What is Coaching?

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines coaching as “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

Very clean, very simple. As Trauma-Informed Coaches, we also partner with clients in thought-provoking and creative processes to maximize both personal and professional potential, however, on top of this Trauma-Informed Coaches have an understanding of what trauma is, and how it affects the body and the brain.

We are also able to respond when it shows up in the coaching session and take the trauma head on, while most coaches tend to skirt the topic as it makes them feel uncomfortable and out of their scope.

Trauma-Informed Coaching

As Trauma-Informed Coaches, we tend to have a greater awareness for our clients’ need for safety and we are taught to listen at the Fourth Level. This is important because most coaches listen at Level Three, this is what is taught in all accredited ICF ACSTH and ACTP programs. Trauma-Informed Coaches will also have the competence on how and when to assist our clients and present when they are having problems. We will recognize when our clients are in trouble and needing additional support beyond what we can offer, and we will have the resources to refer to them when needed.
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Trauma-Informed Coaches are also very clear about the boundaries between therapy and coaching. We are able to avoid getting drawn into areas that are not appropriate in a coaching session, and we are clear that we do not treat and we do not diagnose. We leave this to the clinicians. However, we can work alongside them to support the client.

Who Usually Becomes a Trauma-Informed Coach?

Trauma-Informed Coaches usually tend to come from a traumatic background themselves, and/or have experienced a traumatic event in their lives. They want to support others moving through these types of traumatic events and tend to be more reflective and have done the healing journey and are ready to step into this line of work.

What Training is Needed to Become a Trauma-Informed Coach?

A Certified Coaching Program in which you are being trained to coach at the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) level, and a coaching program that is recognized by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) – is certainly the first and most mandatory step to becoming a Trauma-Informed Coach.

Why do you want to train with an ICF accredited program? Courses that take on the process to become ICF accredited have to meet a very rigorous standard, it is not done overnight and takes a great deal of time. The ICF is considered the gold standard in coaching education and is the most recognized coaching credential in the world. If you’re wanting to apply for a job or work within an organization, most of the time they will require that you either have an ICF credential or have taken an ICF accredited program.

If you have any further questions on Trauma-Informed Coaching, we would love to support you! ​Call 604-866-7963 or email susan@movingthehumanspirit.com for more information.