Adriana McManus
Forum Replies Created
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*Summary Post*
Parts work is a great way to create self-discovery for a client. My take away from parts work is that it is a very creative process that can create an outlet for emotion, organization to the chaos of many different processes going on internally and awareness. I feel like I understand the tool but need to continuing practicing it to gain a sense of flow in the way I facilitate the process. What better way than to practice on myself as well! -
*Initial Post*
I have been working with two practice clients. I have realized when working on Partswork, it either resonates with the client or it doesnât. I have however found that I can use Partswork creatively to fit in with the clients process.
With one particular client, I was combining Integrative Manual Therapy and coaching to inspire insight into a particular emotion that was coming up. Our intention for the coaching was centered around communicating with her brother in a loving way despite the difference in political views. The discussion opened up with some tears and some mention of childhood memory. I had tried bring up different parts before and she didnât really seem interested but in this moment, I asked her how old she felt. She connected with a particular age in childhood and I invited this child to voice what she had to say. We were working inside a room so there wasnât a whole lot of interaction with nature but we were able to reflect on horses and what they represented in her life growing up.
With my other practice client, he connected with a part of himself that created a lot of curiosity and the focus remained on understanding and discovering more about this particular part. We were able to bring in nature through use of a symbolic staff that represented the evolution of that part.
With both clients, we established the intention and the deeper need. I presented the exercise of identifying multiple parts and dialoguing with the soul but there was no drive for my clients to do this. Instead, the deeper need was in understanding one part. Partswork doesnât have to be one model but a concept to help the client understand where they are and what they are changing.
I think in the future with both of these clients, there is opportunity to work with even more parts and working with one part could be a good ice breaker so to speak. The client has to feel a connection to this process. It will be interesting to continue to work with them and see if having worked with one part, they will be open to other parts. -
*Summary Post*
After finishing the required reading and reading all of our discussion on long term coaching, I have really solidified my concept of coaching. To me, coaching has to be thought of as a long term project. Change doesnât occur overnight and making changes can be really difficult for our client. Understanding how the brain works, understanding who our client is and how they came to be will also be a continuous dialogue as we work with them.
What we reflect back to them has to trigger something important and meaningful to THEM to inspire them and drive their biological process beyond their understanding of what they know to be true. If we try to set an agenda for what we perceive they need, it might not connect them to their process. The process that is occurring in their brain to achieve the state of health that they are reaching for. This is where the deep listening comes in. Ultimately, we are not just trying to land that next client. We are becoming a tool for change. -
Intial Post*
I have a new practice client that I have seen three times now. We established a confidentiality agreement before we started. Basically my client was talking about improving their focus on their vision which was career related. Imediately what Inotice with working with this client is that they were already pretty proactive about their growth and it didn’t really take much time for me to get to the deeper need for the session.
Now, It seemed like we were moving pretty fast and I had all the intention in the world of discussing a long term client but I just got a “feeling” that there was more there. There was more information that I needed to learn about this client because I didn
t know anything about them until our first coaching session. It wasnt until the third session that I felt like, “ok, I feel like I get the picture now.”Next session, I plan on outlining a long term plan. So far, the deeper need has been to spend more time outside to recharge. I plan to help them delve into competing commitments, focus on what is most important and habits for self care. I am going to offer them my hourly rate of $75/hour and meet as needed given they are overscheduled already.
Challenges I faced were time gathering information and the awkwardness of zoom coaching. I would have much rather have met in person.
What I would do different? I would have sent them an initial questionaire before working with them! What better way to get the details of who your client is without using up all of your coaching time! I didn’t really think about questionaires until I considered my client as a long term client. I want to get to know them but the coaching session is valuable work time.
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Initial post:
I have met with practice clients before but for this brain and change module, I am starting with a new one. We haven’t met yet for coaching yet but I plan on taking her out into Joshua Tree National Park and having some coaching sessions on the trail!It was kind of a funny story how I got my coaching client actually. She was an old colleague of mine from years ago and she just happened to move into my neighborhood. We ran into each other at my local pet shop and she was reminiscing about backpacking and wanted to do another trip. I just happened to have a trip planned and I asked her to come.
This was the perfect setup for her. We met up for coffee later and she shared with me that she had been working for a company for in home health care and really desired to start her own company. She had also been reading a few books on mindfulness books including The Surrender Experiment. I asked her of I could coach her while we are out in the desert and she happily excepted.
What serendipity indeed.
My client is has already primed her pump for mindfulness and change
, but I could see the look in her face say “how do I get there?” My plan is to see what nature has to offer my client and create that experience of who she wants to be. We will be out on the middle of the desert for four days backpacking. If it feels appropriate, we could create a ritual at the end of the trip to mark a new beginning. The whole trip could be a continuous threshold experience.As far as challenges goes, I don’t know what to expect and I think that in itself is a challenge. I might find it challenging to keep in contact with the clients process well when we are walking. I also need to organize the session so it has a clear intent to it.
My idea is actually to start a ceremony before we start trekking to get clear intent then have some hiking in silence. When we break for camp, we could get further into threshold through experimentation with nature. On the last day we could create an ending ceremony and action for the future. I have read all the material and am ready to help this nervous system out!
I am new to outdoor guiding experiences such as these so I am excited, nervous and anxious for any feedback that you have.
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Hi Lisa,
Having objects on hand to be ready for parts work is a good idea. I feel inspired to have crystals for this purpose though it might be nice to have something soft ï. I feel like it could be a challenge when the client gets that emotionally elevated that the executive functions turn off but I guess this dialogue can challenge the client to thought about their process. Thank you for sharing that you use partswork to keep yourself grounded as well, I think that would be good for any coach in this situation. Sounds like you really made a difference for your client. -
Hi Ben,
First of all, congratulations for having a client who is ideal for parts work. I would imagine that it would be very satisfying to be able to test this new tool to the limit. It sounded like it was good growth for your client as well. You hope to work with this client long term, I am wondering if you were able to get to a map of some sort for a long-term process? Are you trying to sort out the deeper need for now? -
I Apologize for the typos. I am typing from a tablet.
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Hi Lisa,
This is a very interesting topic, one I have though of as well. Working with clients does get intimate and where does one draw the line between “coach” and “therapist”. Personally, I try to establish right away (now I do after some hard lessons). Is this client really right for coaching? I think this is very important for both the safety of the coach and the client. Not everyone is coaching or coachable in that moment. Someone who is emotionally fragile would be better served in a therapy office and not a coaching office. Most coaches do not have the training to assist someone who is struggling for stability in this way. -
Ben,
I am excited to hear how your partswork goes as well! You know, it takes some courage to work with individuals knowing that they are holding a lot of trauma! Congrats for taking risks with people, I think this will lead to some very rewarding work with clients healing process. It sounds like you are nervous about pushing clients away because you want them to shift more. It can be a balancing trick to meet a client where they are at while giving them a push. I think that this may be your gift as a coach! -
Josh,
I commend you on your ability to be vary clear and set boundaries with your client. It really gives the impression that you are a working professional and that you value the time that you have to work with your client. This also seems like a very real situation that all of us will face at some point. You even remembered the new coaching tools to use for the next session! -
Ben, I think your specialty is developing right in front of you from the sound of it and the attention you are drawing to your other programs. I was wondering if you encountered any challenge as you were working with your client on change? From the sound of it you were in the flow with her. Great!
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Lisa, how you guided your client to better understanding of what “detoxing” a relationship is like was a very empathetic and relatable response. I get this image that you really are at her level and not looking down on her. What great support through a difficult situation.
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Sandy,
What a graceful way to direct a chatty client, I have never thought of that! Very intuitive way into feeling. What inspired this action? Great job by the way! -
Ben, your first NCC session sounded very powerful. You mentioned having some fear around this but it seems like you stayed with your client quite beautifully. I wonder if when you were witnessing her find who she is, you were too. I’ll be interesting to hear how this client progresses. Good job!