COACHING
Coaching for Adults with
Early Childhood Trauma
As recently as 25 years ago (and in some cases, today), experts commonly told caretakers of children who experienced trauma before the age of 5: "Luckily, your child will be fine long-term because they will have no memory of this." The latest research suggests that nearly the opposite is true.
Humans store memories of threatening events for the sake of future survival no matter their age, and early childhood is a particularly vulnerable time to be experiencing trauma. In the absence of safe caretakers and developmentally-appropriate ways to understand what has happened to them, children can struggle into adulthood.
A vast range of experiences can result for those who go through trauma at a young age; a few common examples include:
-
Feeling misunderstood by caretakers
-
Feeling that almost no one can validate or meet your needs
-
Struggling to experience calm during moments of rest
-
Struggling to feel a cohesive sense of self
Some clients have memories of their childhood trauma that they can tell like a story; others do not have these kinds of memories. Either presentation is believable and acceptable.
In coaching, we work to understand what difficulties you are having in your current life, which tools may help bring relief, and what next steps you want to take. Sometimes these next steps can involve seeing a trauma therapist (trained in EMDR, somatic experiencing, neurofeedback, or other modalities) in order to process deeper trauma memories. Sometimes the next steps can involve making changes to or within your current circumstances such as your job(s), relationship(s), or living environment(s). You as the client determine what the next steps may be at each point, with me as the coach asking resource-informed questions in support of your exploration and action journey.
Well-Matched Clients May Have:
-
Been adopted
-
Experienced or witnessed abuse of any kind in their living environments or caretaking circles
-
Had a birthing parent who experienced trauma while pregnant
-
Had surgery or significant medical event(s) as a young child
Coaching Focused on Disability & Neurodivergence
Experience of disability can be varied. For some people, disability is experienced in primarily physical ways—for example, experiencing long-term fatigue after a viral infection. For others, disability is experienced in mental ways—for example, in concentration issues relating to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). For many, disability is experienced in a combination of physical and mental ways.
The umbrella term for mental disabilities is neurodivergence. Examples of neurodivergent diagnoses include ADHD, autism, intellectual disability, and mental health disorders.
In some cases, a disability has sudden onset. In others, a disability is with someone from birth. In either case, coaching can help clients explore current and future goals and the tools they can use to achieve them. Coaching can supplement medical treatment or therapy, but is not a replacement for either.
Well-Matched Clients May Be:
-
Experiencing chronic pain or illness
-
Dealing with a new diagnosis
-
Taking time off of work through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
-
Applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
-
Exploring their role as a parent after a child's diagnosis
-
Developing new workflow methods for home or work
Coaching and Transitional Support for Crisis
I reserve a number of spots in my practice for those who are going through high-intensity experiences. I work with clients experiencing crisis in hour-long sessions every week or every other week for 3-6 months. Together, we identify current needs and craft next steps (which can often involve therapy, identifying and strengthening your support system, and exploring your options in work or other disrupted parts of your life). Our goal is to help you feel validated and supported in your needs, and that you have someone in your corner as you navigate this time.
Well-Matched Clients May Be:
-
Experiencing increased responsibility after the unexpected loss of a loved one
-
Experiencing the aftermath of a violent crime
-
Rebuilding after a fire or other life-altering event
General Coaching
If you are not sure where to start but believe we may be a good match, we can explore working together in general coaching.
Well-Matched Clients May Be:
-
Experiencing a life change that requires them to reconsider their current priorities
-
Exploring coaching to see if coaching or other services (such as mentoring, consulting, or therapy) may be a better match