A Trauma-Informed Approach
to Coaching
What trauma-informed means here
Many people encounter the phrase “trauma-informed” without a clear sense of what it actually means in practice. For me, it’s not a buzzword or a label—it’s a way of working that prioritizes safety, choice, and respect for your capacity.
Trauma-informed support recognizes that stress, overwhelm, and uncertainty don’t live only in our thoughts. They live in our nervous systems, our bodies, and our relationships to the world around us.
Especially in times of political, cultural, and collective uncertainty, this matters.
What trauma-informed support is — and isn’t
Being trauma-informed does not mean:
assuming you’ve experienced trauma
treating you as fragile
pushing you to revisit the past
or moving faster than your system can comfortably go
Instead, it means paying close attention to how support is offered.
Core principles of my trauma-informed approach
In my work, a trauma-informed approach centers:
Choice and consent
You are always invited, never required. You get to decide what you share, how you engage, and what feels supportive.Pacing and capacity
We move at a speed that supports regulation rather than urgency. Progress doesn’t require pushing through exhaustion or overwhelm.Nervous system awareness
Stress responses like shutdown, urgency, avoidance, or hyper-focus are understood as adaptive—not as failures or character flaws.Practices that meet you where you are
Tools are flexible and adjustable. There is no “right” way to do the work, only ways that are more or less supportive in a given moment.Context matters
Personal experiences don’t happen in a vacuum. Systems, identities, power dynamics, and collective stressors are part of the picture.
What this looks like in practice
You may notice this approach in small but meaningful ways.
For example:
You’re invited to pause, adjust, or stop a practice at any time
Emotional responses are welcomed without being rushed toward resolution
Clarity emerges from grounding and regulation, rather than force
Insight is supported by steadiness, not pressure
The brief practice you received through Staying Grounded in Uncertain Times reflects these principles (if you haven’t received this yet, click here for access). The emphasis on choice, pacing, and listening to your body wasn’t incidental—it’s foundational to how I work.
Why a trauma-informed approach matters right now
Many conventional approaches to growth focus on mindset, productivity, or resilience without accounting for the nervous system or the realities of chronic stress. While well-intentioned, those approaches can unintentionally add more pressure—especially for people already carrying a lot.
Trauma-informed work creates space for:
slowing down without giving up
growth that doesn’t come at the expense of your health
decision-making that aligns with your values and capacity
care that is sustainable, not extractive
This isn’t about doing less or disengaging from what matters to you. It’s about finding ways to move forward that don’t require abandoning yourself along the way.
Who this approach often supports well
This way of working tends to resonate with people who:
feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stretched thin
are navigating uncertainty or transition
care deeply about justice, integrity, or values-aligned leadership
want growth that feels grounded rather than performative
are tired of being told to “push through”
You don’t need to identify with the word trauma for this approach to be helpful. It’s simply a framework that honors your humanity and your capacity—exactly as they are.
If you’re curious about working together
If this approach feels supportive, you’re welcome to explore what working together could look like. There’s no obligation and no rush—just an opportunity for clarity.
You can learn more about the ways I support individuals and organizations, or schedule a conversation if and when it feels right.