Coaching clients during covid -19

This month, I have been reflecting on my practice during pandemic times and my newest training as a certified prenatal, birth and postpartum coach. I am delighted that I am formerly a member of the global community of birth coaches! Together we continue to support people during the most exciting, transformative times of their lives, amidst global change and shifting.
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My Greatest Coaching Take-Aways and How They Influence What I Offer as a Doula:

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• Ultimately, leading is an important role in coaching and I see that by identifying and developing the strengths of my clients, this process will help them feel accountable to their birthing process, regardless of it's unpredictability.

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• With the added unpredictability of Covid-19, and the added changes in medical policies and treatment and care, prenatal coaching is an important asset that can help people feel more clear and certain about their goals, options and expectations. 

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• Aligning a client’s beliefs with their wishes is all about bringing clarity. Using search questions and performing a reality check are key to making new options clear which is thus the gateway to facilitating change. Being aware of how open a client is to make a change(s) and the level of their commitment exhibiting to their own individual goal setting practice is a great tool to assess her commitment to her goals. As coaches, we can always check for opportunities to clarify whether our clients are open to bringing forth change.

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• As a doula I can dive deeper and help assess how close my client is to achieving their goals. Regardless of a person’s background, my role is to be present and grounded and ready to be a guide. I have done adventure and outdoor guiding and coaching reminds me of this role of guiding parents to on the “journey” which is the process and not to solely focus on the outcome, or “destination”. I can foresee that coaching will help me to trust and apply solid tools to help in this professional process. 

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• Optimal performance in the form of “the ideal birth” is something that I see as a problem in our birth culture. Exploring this concept deeper through active listening and time can open a way to help others define what a positive birth outcome means to them. Levels of satisfaction are a personal reflection of a person’s beliefs and values. Tuning in to the personal options and abilities of each client to feel satisfied will directly affect how empowered they feel in their own birthing process. In my practice, I can now integrate an emphasis on abilities and strengths versus an expectation with limited or vague accountability. 

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• The journey of pregnancy and birth emphasizes growth and generative change, since they are impactful life events which carry a person from one stage of their life into another. I have always valued and acknowledged this process openly in my practice and so the listening tools and willingness to go deeper with my clients in trusting them in their own unique process is aligned with this leadership value found in coaching.

Amidst the emotional, psychological and social impacts of Covid-19, I believe that we can continue to gain clarity of what we want in both the short and long term for ourselves, our families, and our broader community. I am currently offering complimentary 45 minute coaching sessions for people around the world, and a discount on my coaching practices. To discover more, visit my coaching page.

To learn more about the benefits of coaching and more about what to expect during a coaching session click here.

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