About Me

Trauma-Informed Coaching:

Trauma-informed coaching is a specialized form of coaching that acknowledges the profound effects trauma can have on a person’s thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. A trauma-informed coach is trained to recognize the signs of trauma and create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space for clients. They take into account how trauma may affect a client’s ability to set goals, make decisions, or move forward in life. The coach helps the individual build resilience and personal agency by working through challenges at a pace that feels safe, without retraumatizing the client.

Key aspects include:

• Safety and trust: Establishing a sense of safety in the coaching relationship.
• Empowerment: Encouraging clients to regain a sense of control over their lives.
• Sensitivity to triggers: Recognizing and avoiding actions or language that might cause distress.
• Nonlinear progress: Understanding that healing from trauma isn’t always straightforward and requires patience.

Trauma-Informed Spiritual Direction:

Trauma-informed spiritual direction brings an awareness of trauma’s effects into the process of spiritual guidance. A trauma-informed spiritual director is sensitive to how trauma impacts not only emotional and mental well-being but also one’s spiritual journey. They recognize that trauma can deeply affect a person’s relationship with God, their sense of purpose, and their spiritual practices. The spiritual director creates a space where individuals can explore their faith, beliefs, and experiences with God in a way that respects their trauma history.

Key aspects include:

• Spiritual safety: Ensuring the individual feels spiritually safe, avoiding religious language or concepts that may feel harmful or triggering.
• Compassionate listening: Providing a space for deep listening without pushing the individual into spiritual practices or beliefs that feel unsafe.
• Healing and restoration: Supporting the individual in restoring a sense of spiritual wholeness and reconnection with God or the Divine, while honoring the complexity of their trauma experience.

In both trauma-informed coaching and spiritual direction, the emphasis is on fostering healing, respect, and patience, recognizing that trauma influences all aspects of a person’s life—emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual. These approaches are grounded in empathy and a holistic view of the individual’s journey.