Empathy and Healing
I want to talk about the power of healing that occurs through coaching.
Surprisingly, healing is universally accessible to individuals who are willing to embrace its potential and, their own possibility for change.
Many have personally experienced transformative healing through supportive interventions like coaching, which can serve as a powerful catalyst for intrinsic motivation and sustained well-being.
Surprisingly, many of the tools used by coaches are common and a part of everyday life, often adapted for a coaching context.
No matter the professional coaching background, a coach will use empathy to help the clients better understand themselves.
Example, GROW Model – goal, reality, options, willpower/what will it take?
Client centred coaching is the best approach because it empowers the client and, gives them permission to help themselves.
I will ask the client to expand their own definition of wellbeing.
Asking open questions allows the client to believe in themselves, feeling self-empowered makes the client aware of their own possibilities.
Asking powerful questions allows the client to embrace where they currently are on their own healing path.
The Time this process takes will vary from client to client.
As coach, my role is to remain actively listening. This is the space the client needs to explore the answers that matters most to them.
Empathy is a powerful healing process.
For the client, healing naturally occurs when there is a connection between the mind and the emotions. It is a psychological shift that happens to give the client a deeper understanding or different perspective. There is a clearing of the mind and emotions.
What previously, made no sense, now makes sense.
There are many tools that can be used to support a client’s coaching. Tools will vary according to the individual need. If you are a coach, it helps to discuss with the client beforehand and, during the consultation. As a coach, you will need to be flexible in your coaching support and, adapt to the client need.
For myself, the best tool is Time. The time you give yourself to heal.
Examples of common tools I use with clients to support their healing intervention
Self-love: how could you allow yourself time to heal?
Prayer: (one of my favourites) simply express your concerns without judgement.
Focus on gratitude and forgiveness
Meditation: use self reflection
Focus on how you cultivate feelings of compassion and loving-kindness towards oneself
Exercise: to help you mobilise your health and, prevent stagnation; walking in nature (the physiological aspects of nature is proven to improve psychological and spiritual wellbeing (reference: mental health.org.uk; PMID 31783531)
Focus on aerobic exercise, Yoga fitness and tai chi – these exercises release endorphins the hormones to boost your mood
Chanting: vocalise a way to move forward if you might be feeling stuck
Focusing on repetitive chanting calms the nervous system. This also works in a group setting
Singing: help you express your happiness and pain.
Focus: processing emotions and releasing tension
Affirmations: reminds the subconscious – who you are becoming
Focus: reprogrammes negative self-beliefs
Angel cards: left at the front door before leaving out for the day are a gentle reminder of your faith
Focus: support a new perspective, connecting to inner wisdom
Empathy and Healing