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3 Essential Psychology Lessons for Coaches

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3 Essential Psychology Lessons for Coaches

As a coach, I believe I have a great secret power!!!

I have a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology and worked for many years as a therapist.

The secret power is my understanding of human psychology. 

I have seen in my own experiences that understanding the psychological underpinnings of human behavior isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential.

Understanding some essential psychology lessons allows coaches to understand humans, with all the complexities of their emotions, their motivations and basically, their stuff.

 

Learning three essential psychology lessons will give you greater insights into understanding your client.

Who, luckily, is a human!

Bottom line, these psychology lessons for coaches will greatly enhance the effectiveness of your coaching strategies.

In this blog, we explore crucial psychology lessons for coaches that can transform how you understand and interact with clients.

Ready?

 

 3 Essential Psychology Lessons for Coaches

 

Quote: psychology in coaching: because sometimes the step that isn't taken isn't about the path, it's about the person walking it.

Psychology Lesson for Coaches #1: Overcoming Emotional Blocks

Many coaches face the challenge of clients who are stuck, unable to move forward toward their goals due to unseen emotional blocks, not just practical hurdles.

Recognizing and addressing these emotional blocks requires more than a list of steps; it requires psychological insight.

For instance, when I notice clients faltering despite clear action plans, it seems evident to me that emotional barriers are at play.

This isn’t about there not being a great plan. This isn’t about not having enough time. This isn’t about overwhelm. Even though these reasons all seem reasonable.

 

Where there are plans in place that we’ve worked on, and small enough steps not to create overwhelm, the lack of action is completely emotional.

 

It’s super important for coaches to be aware of this. Otherwise, they are trying to help the client with too many practical steps.

When being stuck isn’t practical in this case.

I often have to explore the issue a little to figure this out. When it’s practical, practical actions will work.

But when it’s emotional, you have to dig down and deal with that first if you are going to make any progress.

By applying psychological principles, you can guide them through these blocks, facilitating real progress.

 

Quote: When we recognize the cycle of rumination, we can guide our clients from dwelling on the problems to finding a solution.

 

Psychology Lesson for Coaches #2: Breaking the Cycle of Rumination

Clients often fixate on problems without progressing toward solutions, a cycle that can be both frustrating and unproductive.

This fixation is a psychological defense mechanism, a brain’s way of ‘protecting’ itself.

Understanding this from a psychological perspective allows coaches to interrupt this cycle.

 

By recognizing and addressing the underlying fears or threats, coaches can help clients shift focus from problems to solutions.

 

It’s helpful to understand some of the psychological brain science here.

People will obsess over things because they are caught in their emotional brain.

They feel some kind of threat and this obsessing makes them feel they are doing something, as if they have some semblance of control even though they don’t.

 

You have to help them calm the sense of threat before they are able to talk about the situation in a productive way.

 

This rumination is a symptom of being caught in a “Fight/Flight/Freeze” response.

That’s what the brain does when it senses threat, even if the threat isn’t “real.”

Calm the brain and your client can solve their problem.

Stay in the “threat” and your client will keep talking in circles.

 

Effective coaching involves empathy, strategy, and a deep understanding of human emotions.

 

Psychology Lesson for Coaches #3: Managing Intense Emotions

It’s not uncommon for emotions to run high in coaching sessions.

Coaches must be prepared to handle tears, anger, or frustration without panic.

Psychology teaches us that people need to feel seen and heard to calm their emotional responses.

Techniques like empathic listening and guided breath work exercises can significantly aid in stabilizing a client’s emotions, making sessions more productive and transformational.

I was on a group coaching call not too long ago as a participant.

 

And the coach, who may have been new, became completely immobilized by a participant’s emotions.

 

The coach said nothing. Literally…said nothing as the participant went on and on and cried and expressed frustration.

I wanted so badly to jump in.

I knew exactly what to do and how to handle the situation.

But the coach did not.

 

That meant all the rest of the participants sat their getting nothing from the session for all the time the coach was speechless.

 

What would I have done?

 

I would have stopped them.

 

Yes. Interrupted and asked them to stop talking for a minute.

Then I would have taken them through a breathing exercise until  they calmed down.

I would have validated their feelings so that they felt seen and heard.

And then asked them if they had someone they could talk to about this.

 

And that was because, the things they were so frustrated about were not actually coaching issues.

 

It was really a therapy issue.

And whatever the answer, I would have shared that with them.

And then, I would have asked another question that would get them back onto the coaching stream.

 

“What is your goal for when you resolve this issue?”

 

That would have worked.

But you can see, can’t you, how important it is for a coach to be able to manage a client’s intense emotions?

Manage doesn’t mean fix…

It means calming down, validating and moving on.

 

How to Start Implementing Psychology Lessons for Coaches.

 

  • Assess Emotional Blocks: Begin by discerning whether a client’s hurdles are emotional or practical. Use targeted questions to uncover deeper emotional issues.
  • Acknowledge and Address Rumination: When a client is caught in a loop, help them recognize this pattern. Discuss potential fears or threats fueling this behaviour, and guide them toward emotional clarity.
  • Employ Empathy and Calming Techniques: Utilize empathic responses and breath work exercises to help clients manage their emotional reactions effectively. This approach not only soothes but also re-engages their logical thinking.

Conclusion

These psychology lessons for coaches are not just theoretical; they are practical tools that can be applied directly to coaching sessions.

By understanding and applying psychology, coaches can enhance their ability to guide clients through emotional and psychological barriers, leading to more effective and enduring changes.

Do you agree?

If you enjoyed the blog and need some help with your own or your client’s mindset, download my FREE eBook: A Beginner’s Guide to Improving Your Mindset. You’ll learn a lot about psychology from it.

 
 
FREE DOWNLOAD TITLES: A Beginner's Guide to Improving Your Mindset
Coaching Supervision Lisa Garber

BIO: With over 25 years of coaching experience, Lisa Garber loves guiding coaches to find their confidence, carve out successful paths, and truly connect with their clients. Known for her deep insights and effective coaching tools, she has been instrumental in turning aspirations into achievements for countless professionals. Book a Discovery Call here and connect with her on Instagram |@lisagarbercoaching

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