Coaching Methods

When we meet for a coaching session, there are many methods and models from which to choose. The following are those I use most frequently. Elements of IFS (Internal Family System) Certain elements and conversation techniques from a systemic approach called ‘Internal Family System’ by Richard C. Schwartz are used. This involves taking statements such as ‘Part of me wants this, part of me wants that’ very seriously and seeking dialogue with these parts in order to then mediate between them. Some parts may have been forgotten or invisible for a long time and have been waiting to be seen and freed from their burden. Systemic and hypnosystemic conversation techniques There are many conversation techniques. Some remain simply verbal. Others include moving around in the room and taking into account the expression of body and posture. Taking the body on board is surprisingly efficient, especially when the person has trouble expressing things with words. So coaching is much more than “just talk”. Systemic Structure Constellations Systemic constellation visualise systems as parts and interactions. The parts can be departments in an organisation, people in a group, members of a family, or inner parts of the coachee. They can be visualised by signs or objects placed in a room, on a desktop, or on a virtual whiteboard. This can bring up unexpected realisations and allows to experiment with new configurations that are better suited to install a balance where imbalance hitherto ruled. Interactions can become more peaceful. Hypnosystemic development of the central Self and re-integration of parts The hypnosystemic approach combines constellation with low-level hypnosis methods in order to strengthen the Self of the client and equip it with appropriate self-protective methods. The Self establishes a more healthy immune system allowing for openness, instead of entrenching itself in an armour whose flip- side is isolating oneself from the good things of life. It can then be a better and more accepted leader to the other inner parts of a person. Mindfulness techniques “Mindfulness” can be seen as some fancy “en vogue” term and we got it thrown at us from all sides. But it actually is helpful. Mindfulness provides help in finding back to oneself and getting free from whatever draws us either into the past and the associated pains or the future and the associated fears. A state of mindfulness is excellently suited for deeper coaching work - and for many everyday tasks, too, by the way. Imaginary journeys in a light trance (consciousness activation techniques, formerly known as hypnosis) With these benign techniques, we induce no hypnotic half-sleep but on the contrary activate the consciousness in order to train active awareness control. We then use this active state to go for some imaginary journey or to build metaphors and play around with them. Instead of talking about something at lengths, we produce change by building and modifying inner pictures and scenes. Age regressions and timeline work from a safe meta position In a state of slightly enhanced awareness (benign trance) we scan the timeline of your life in search of hidden or forgotten treasures and resources. But we also look for some older states of yourself (inner children) waiting at some point of the timeline to eventually be collected and cared for, to return to their natural place in the wholeness of the individual. One of the possible consequences may well be that you become more whole as a human being. Working with inner children There probably is not the one inner children within you, but instead there is quite a number of them. They represent past states of the self whose needs have not been met or that had to experience hardship of some kind. When we start talking to these inner children, then our neglected or buried parts can finally find relief and be tended. Interestingly, it is well possible that some area of life that used to stand still for some time suddenly starts to evolve and blossom, because these inner children are also the wardens of resources and abilities that can return to expressing themselves. (See also the blog article: Inner Children) Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) This derives from the Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), a well established cognitive behavioural therapy. I only use those elements of ACT that are appropriate for coaching (coaching is no psychotherapy but there are many overlaps in tools). It is useful for freeing yourself from beliefs and ruminations without trying to “get rid” of them, because getting rid of them usually does not work out. Instead, we shift the focus away from this depreciating self-talk and to your own values. Values - meaning true values, not currently fashionable hashtags - are what is really meaningful to you and gives your life its meaning. Once values are clarified, they can henceforth be your GPS and guide your actions and decisions and commitments in order to build a really meaningful life. Introvision Introvision is a protocol well suited when emotional reactions to certain situations or triggers are clearly and repetitively excessive - e.g. panic attacks before talking publicly. We then detect the underlying fears and find ways to confuse the automated reactions the the triggers. This confusion creates for the brain a window of realising that its reactions are excessive and fall back to a more appropriate response. Clarifying and developing personal goals Well established creativity methods like the Walt Disney method or the cooking plate model help clarify personal goals in a playful yet enlightening way. Are your current goals sincere and the right ones for you? Or are you on a detour or even in an impasse? What would be possible if everything was possible? And what parts of that everything actually are within a realistic reach? Usually it is more than you thought. Working with parts through Core Transformation The Core Transformation is a powerful technique to turn obstructive beliefs into sources of energy. Even the most obstructive beliefs running in our head only want the best for us (e.g. protect us from pain, rejection or failure), but they express it in an inappropriate and obsolete way and need an update. If we can work out the well-meant goals behind the beliefs, the brain can train new ways to achieve these goals that are more in alignment with our abilities, purposes and maturity. Identifying your true values and taking off role costumes We are often in too strong an identification with certain roles we haven taken over. These roles may often meet a good social acceptance because their vary fabric is made of social expectations. But we end up losing sight on the deeper self and get off track on our life purpose. When we work on taking off these roles, we can identify the true values behind them and find ways to live them more fully, in a more meaningful way, more in alignment with who we are instead of sticking to who others expect us to be. Leadership Coaching Leaders in organisations, having high-profile positions, sometimes unwillingly or unknowingly project their own inner conflicts on the organisation or enter in resonance with those already in place. Hence it is good to find somebody with whom to explore those blind spots and shadows that might otherwise interfere with leadership duties. Why certain things go well with the people in the company and others do not may be a starting point from where to look further. Additionally, there is a relatively new trend for managers wanting to give their role more sense and meaning, which also responds to a growing demand from the workforce, at a time when companies have an increasing difficulty actually finding people ready to take on the responsibilities of management an leadership roles. A coaching setting is a good place to individually look into whether both the role and the person get along well or some adjustment is required. Team models and Organisation models Both teams and organisations present recurring patterns that map to a number of models. In each group of people, there is a certain number of roles. Sometimes these roles cast themselves on the people more than the other way round (just like some roles appear in all school classes). And sometimes certain roles necessary for the success of the group are just not there - the group keeps on failing but does not know why. See also: • Contact info: Ask your questions or make an appointment • Your first coaching session - what does it look and feel like? • Blog & Articles