Melody Rose
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Initial post–
Over the course of a few sessions I explained PartsWork to my client and she created a PartsWork mandala. I showed her mine as an example. At the beginning of each session I ask her if she needs to take a few moments and take some deep breaths, to ground, get connected and into the present moment.
PartsWork can fit into a NCC session by using different items in nature during the interview process. Also when making the list I could ask what part of you resonates with or is drawn to that tree, fern, lake…, what part of you wants to jump in puddles and which one wants to stay dry….Nature has endless metaphors to explore parts with. I feel like many, if not all of our clients will have a part who is a nature lover and this will help incorporate nature into parts work. As I write this I’m thinking it’d be interesting to ask how each part connects with nature.
Being in nature with a client will help them to connect to the soul level to do parts work.
It can be challenging to do parts work virtually but having the client change seats or get up and move around or choose object for different parts is helpful. Also giving them time in between to really settle into the new part, asking them how they know they are in that part or how they connect to that part.
I’ve had sessions where certain parts did not want to talk which led me to talking to other parts and sometimes that’d bring up a conflict to work on with the client. So not forcing it, and going with what comes up.
I am working on being more directive, rather than asking if the client wants to step into that part.
Parts Work is exploring the deepest nature of ourselves so having nature to reflect it back to us is powerful. Having a tree or boulder gives strength to a part and to stepping into that part, and seeing a small flower for example can show the different qualities and attributes each part brings to the system.
As you all know, I love parts work and I am excited to explore different and new ways to bring it to my clients, especially as we can begin to connect in person more than just online.
Parts Work enhances my coaching presence and approach by giving me a confidence boost in my coaching abilities even if we aren’t specifically doing parts work it has made me a better listener to better coach in general. -
I had an interesting experience this weekend with a client who’d purchased a gift certificate from a fundraiser. She had a choice between a group Forest Bathing walk and a NCC session. She originally said she wanted a forest bathing walk, but then said a coaching walk so I went with that. Part way through the session she said something along the lines of asking for a sign in the way of seeing a wood pecker today to show her she’s on the right track. I found myself thinking she’d better see a wood pecker or she won’t want any more coaching sessions with me. She did not see a woodpecker on our walk, but at he end I did offer her 3 sessions at a discounted price if she was interested. She emailed me the next day saying that that evening she was on a walk and saw a woodpecker and she was so excited so she wanted to tell me and said our session was helpful, I replied reminding her of my offer and set some parameters around it.
I think that what this meant to me in terms of LTC is that going into a meeting with a new client my intention is to guide them as best I can in this 1 session while at the same time knowing there is a possibility and likelihood there will be more sessions whether it’s 3 sessions, 3 months, a year,… Knowing from the start that the client is a long term client opens up more possibility for deeper connection, growth, healing, action, etc. Long term coaching helps clients see their vision and gives them the opportunity and space to create it. As a coach I can share in seeing their vision alongside them and that’s exciting and an honour. With a LTC client there is more space for curiosity, exploration and discovery.
There are many LTC models to choose from and I like that I don’t have to reinvent the wheel. -
Matt, reading about how you bring a long term outlook to your clients knowing you have a maximum of 3 months to work with them had me thinking of how each session I have with a client wether it’s one or many, that them seeing that we are guiding them to long term wellness is important for them to know and for our coach/client relationships. And “bookmarking” for them to their other support people sounds like it could be so impactful and a way they can bring nature connection into their other therapies as well.
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Nadine I’ve been long term coaching some clients too without formalizing it too. I think that puts less pressure on the clients who are apprehensive on signing a contract right from the get go. I know for me though that 1 in particular who’s life got turned upside down by covid I now wonder if she will return.
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Sheri when you said Parts Work lends itself to long term coaching it reminded me of Michael saying “you can’t kind of do Parts Work”. This is so true, and excites me because I can see my self using Parts Work a lot with my clients. Talking about front loading the long term coaching idea had me thinking about my contract/liability form. I send it to all clients, even if they’ve gotten a free 1 hour session and am thinking that as they look at that that the way it’s worded and the detail would at least let them know this isn’t usually a one time thing without me even having to say anything which I like the idea of.
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Kim I think a lot of clients have that same stress of feeling “broken” if they need long term coaching and like how you put it as an ongoing check point
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Taylor I like the three tiered option approach. I’ll have to figure that out and think with my first long term client discussion I just wanted to get something out there, now!
I really like the idea os having a sit spot with a client for sessions.
I too need to work on my directive guidance. I was listening to myself talk to my daughter today and realized I do they same thing with her as I do clients in that I am asking them to do something instead of directing them to.
I too would like my clients, or at least the majority of them, to be long term. I know that 1 session can be insightful but real change would need more. -
Thanks Nadine. I’m glad that was helpful for you.
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To establish a coaching relationship and focus the session I prepared a summary of what has come up in past sessions and a sample of what a long-term coaching program could look like for my client. At the beginning of the session we both took a few deep breaths to ground and become present and then I shared the document with my client.
Long term coaching fit into the NCC session by using metaphors and examples of how techniques like a daily sit spot can help create inspiration, clarity, etc over time. Long term coaching fits perfectly into NCC programs because they are both in cyclical ceremonies and ongoing. We talked about the 8 directions and coaching wheels and will explore them more in future sessions.
A challenge I faced was my client being apprehensive of signing up for an 8 month program, which I totally understand can seem overwhelming so we agreed on a few sessions at a discounted price for now them will revisit. She is aware that there are things she needs and wants to work on which is why I highlighted some things that have come up at previous sessions right at the beginning of this discussion. I am confident that in the next few sessions we will set a sturdy foundation to continue to build this long term program on.
I learned that in the moment I probably sold myself a little short, but that this will take practice and was a good start. I am confident in my coaching abilities and deserve to be compensated for them! Now I just need to build the confidence to ask for it.
The readings and the material at the intensive emphasize the flow of change and growth. It’s not a straight line that just ends, there is no end, it’s all a process… Which is why nature is such a great example for coaching. Being able to track what stage the client is in will help me be a better guide, listener and observer.
Some ideas I have for how I might use LTC and NCC in the future with my client are to invite her to complete the life coaching/self assessment tools, create a parts work mandala, identify her resources and establish a daily nature connection practice. We can then explore where she is in her vision process, set goals and milestones and get to work.
Long term coaching enhances my coaching presence by being able to focus on the current path and being able to make a note of something that may be able to be explored deeper in a future session. So we can both be more focused. I can hold a better container with more space for my client to explore because I know there will be another session to get back to something if we need to. I will listen for where my client is in a cycle of change in the current session but also in the program as a whole. It helps build a stronger coach/client relationship. It gives a better opportunity for a wider angle vision.
I am excited to work with my client and see what she will create, heal and discover. This could not happen in a single session. -
“step with caution, they are fragile” when a client or nervous system is in trauma had me thinking of how as coaches we are holding safe, sacred space/containers for our clients and that for them to access trauma they need to feel safety and security and that, even just thinking of myself, that even though we do hold that space for them clients may not be open to it, or not completely so we do need to step with caution, or guide them to step with caution and fragility into the unknown, hidden or forgotten places. This reminds me of a client I had who straight up said “this is uncomfortable” during a session but she insisted on continuing the work and was happy she did in the end.
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Hi Sheri
I like the idea of asking the client right off the bat what their resources are. Your definition of trauma sounds pretty good to me, and simple enough to not overwhelm someone. -
Hey Kim, I like how you put it – “interjected thought starters”. I can’t remember which client it was with but I remember asking someone once “What was the best-case scenario?” after they mentioned what the worst-case scenario was and that was a good eye-opener. Plant the seeds of change and watch them grow is what just popped into my head. I too have had some sessions where we didn’t quite get to the deeper need because of something the client wasn’t quite ready to look at yet being in the way and if the client got something out of the session that is helpful that’s what counts right 🙂
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Brain and change 1 Summary post
What I am taking away from this module is that the human brain is so very complex! And the more we understand it the better we can guide our clients.
“Neurons that fire together wire together” and with Nature Connected Coaching we are helping clients create new memories and new neural networks through threshold experiences, ceremony, rituals. One of the things I like so much about NCC is that each client, “issue”, session each has seemingly endless possibilities on how to help create a new experience with the client.
The stages of change portion is very helpful to see where a client is in there process and for myself as well!
Everything about the nervous system literally cuts right to the core and I look forward to becoming more aware of it on a personal level as practice to better guide my clients. -
Summary post
What I am taking away from this module is that trauma can mean different things to different people, to varying degrees and everyone has experienced trauma to some extent in their lives.
As NCC I am not searching to bring up a clients trauma, but now I know what to watch for in a client that may indicate a traumatic response or neural pathway, what’s going on in their nervous system. I can then coach/guide accordingly in an appropriate way for that client at that moment. I found the Gestalt teachings very helpful in knowing when to engage or when to leave it for now, maybe another time, or maybe not at all.
Resourcing has been such an amazing tool. For me even just saying “resource Melody!” to myself can calm me right down lol. Knowing a client’s resources ahead of time is very helpful, and if I don’t and they need a resource nature is my go-to, which is why NCC works so well!
I’ve noticed that the pendulating seems to happen naturally which I find fascinating to watch as our brains are drawn to old ways of doing and being. -
To begin the session I went over confidentiality, how much time we had, got permission to coach her.
Nature is such an amazing resource so is very helpful and accessible through actually going outside, looking out a window or imagining it.
My client had an experience that was traumatic and when speaking about certain aspects of it she became uncentered and pulled out of the current moment and back into it. I could see this in her posture, hear it in her voice, her diverted eye contact, etc. I asked her where the sensation was in her body and to sit with it and breathe, then to visualize a place she had spoke of earlier in the session that brought her peace and calmness and explained resourcing to her so she could use it on her own in the future. I asked her to describe it in detail, using all her senses and invited her to take as much time as she needed to really sink into that place and how it felt in her body. Later in the session she was able to use that imagery, some deep breaths and some sips of water to refocus and pull herself out of the story to refocus on the present moment.
I felt like I did well at not getting caught up in her story and bringing her back to the present, reflecting back to her her want and need when she lost focus.
The process unfolded nicely as she discovered what she needed to do and was excited to do the work.
Showing people that nature is a resource, something that can help them heal even if it’s just them visualizing it will, in my mind, help people care more about the environment and help them know they are connected to it which really means so much to me. I am happy to have the “sciency” words to back up my “hippy talk” lol.
You don’t even have to be doing it on purpose for nature to ground and heal you so sharing with people how it is when you do it with intention is even better! Inviting a client to stop and ie listen to the birds brings them back into the moment.