Holistic Life Coaching FAQs

What is life coaching?

The definition of life coaching, according to the International Coaching Federation, “is partnering with clients in a collaborative, co-creative process that inspires clients to maximize their potential in their personal and professional lives.”  Furthermore, Nan Einarson, who is a mentor coach at Coach Training Alliance says, “This results in people living their highest quality of life.  In other words, enjoying the highest quality benefits life has to offer” (2022).  From this point of view, one can be more able to attain a sense of fulfillment and wholeness.  

Karen frames life coaching through the narrative process.  Over conversation clients tell their stories, and can change their stories, which can also help them find meaning in them.  This can facilitate discovering a path towards what they would like to create, recognize, or figure out.  Coaches show up empty, open, inquisitive, and able to support the conversation in the direction the client may want and need, so that they can become more able to achieve something, or understand something that enhances their life from their own innate resources.  This process honors and empowers the client.  Realizing something new about their situation is the magic that helps them change their perceptions, which in turn can adaptably and spontaneously change their lives quite quickly, in a sense, for the better.  At the very least, a new interpretation of the client’s situation may be all the fuel, energy, and information they need to make their lives more manageable and happier.

What is holistic life coaching?

Holistic life coaching is heart centered life coaching that sees the facets of human existence through an expression of a mind/body/spiritual complex.  It is a whole person approach that also recognizes wholeness and interconnectedness of all others and all things.  It is an opportunity for clients to consider, and experience the mind, body, and spirit as complementary within themselves, within the world, and the universe that they live in. Through the unity of these three modes of life, achievement of clients goals are explored and encouraged.  

What is the benefit of a holistic orientation?

The benefit of a holistic orientation is to take the opportunity to look at life through the lens of interconnection. Many on this path may receive a more satisfying and gratifying taste, or impression of their existence in relation to themselves and others.  There may be more material to help clients understand or accept the mysteries of life.  It’s truly a creative way to view both health and healing, as well, which may bring a sense of freedom to client’s in taking back control of their health and wellness abilities, as another benefit.

What kinds of things could I use holistic life coaching for in my life?

The kinds of things holistic life coaching is useful for are numerous. It can cover any agenda the client has that they would like to feel more free around, and where they may need more objectivity.  This is also a place where clients can hear their interpretations and can find a way to reinterpret them, if appropriate.  It’s a safe place to vent anonymously, as well.  Holistic life coaching can also help clients manage their time through life transitions. Holistic life coaching can help anyone in need of extra support in attaining that healthy lifestyle agenda or self-care routine that they want to piece into their lives.  It may also help clients find things that are not as accessible to what’s in the mainstream as far as healthcare and spirituality. It may be a valuable part of self-care around grief or in finding and making meaning in those areas. It can also help to change an old worn out narrative that isn’t working so well.  Moreover, holistic life coaching is a setting in which clients may search for, and find truths that are not so apparent in everyday living.  There are fascinating elements to consider within holistic thinking that may seem new and need airing in order to integrate them into a newly formed perspective, aside.  Finally, it’s a reinforcing journey!

Do I have to be religious to benefit from holistic life coaching?

You do not have to be religious to benefit from holistic life coaching. Although holistic life coaching can meet the sacred and supernal requirements of many religious people, as it recognizes a point of view that is very compatible with many religious beliefs, clients do not need to be religious to experience benefit from holistic life coaching. Some people prefer the term spirituality to cover how they view some holistic ideas. The definition of spirituality is a broad term today.

What is the definition of spirituality in the world of psychology?

In the world of psychology the definition of spirituality may be reflected in broader terms, compared to religion.  For example, when it comes to naming the mystical forces that we might experience in life, religion for the most part, uses the name, God or gods, referring to a separate deity for guidance and worship. Whereas in Spirituality, other terms are used along with, or in place of, God.  For example, the divine, or “nature, universal energy” (Shulman, 2016, p. 792) or higher power, etc. … Spirituality may also be viewed as an infusion of the sacred within. Spirituality could also be considered the outcome of the influences of religion (Berkel, Armstrong & Cokley, 2004, p. 4) or as a humanitarian approach to life. Furthermore, spirituality is a more individualized “devotion to the sacred” (Shulman, p. 792).  Religion is “a system of beliefs, values, rituals, and practices shared in common by a social community, as a means of experiencing and connecting with the sacred or divine” (Shulman, p. 792). Interestingly, it is understood today that atheists may also be considered spiritual, if, for example, they are concerned with doing work for the good of others, or concentrate their lives in living ethically, or are striving to help relieve suffering of others in some way.

What are Karen’s coaching business practices?

As indicated, coaching is individualized, and the client will ultimately be the guide in their coaching program.  Along with this, Karen can provide guidance in learning mindfulness practices, and/or help with holistic health topics.  However, clients generate their direction and are coached to their own solutions in regard to these topics or any topic that they would like to bring to coaching.  Fees are paid in advance per package chosen.  Discounts apply for larger packages. Further, telephone sessions are discounted over in-person sessions.  Clients can choose to pay monthly as well.  Each session can last from 20 minutes to 60 minutes.  After a client agrees to become a coaching client, they receive a welcome packet that puts everything in writing.  Karen pledges confidentiality, as long as it’s not against the law or about harming self or other.  Please call to find out more. 

How do mindfulness practices relate to spirituality, religion, and wellness?

Mindfulness practices have been studied through abundant research revealing its alliance with increased health and well-being, along with commonality with religion and spirituality (Greeson, Smoski, Suarez, Brantley, Ekblad, Lynch & Wolever, 2015, p. 172).  One of these studies is in regard to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which is an eight-week training that has shown great facility in helping people cope with “stress, pain, and illness,” and in reducing anxiety and low mood.  It’s said to work by alleviating the “rumination” (Greeson et al, p. 172) that often puts people at risk for depression.  Further, religious and spiritual practices have been found to enhance results of MBSR (Greeson et al, pp. 172 & 166-167).  Aside, MBSR has been recognized in helping to reduce moderate to severe depression, regardless of spiritual or religious affiliation.  For people with very high anxiety, cognitive-behavioral therapy exceeded MBSR, indicating the necessity to combine the modalities in these cases.  Similarly, for those with severe depression, psychotherapy was used as a support in completing the MBSR program in another study (Greeson, et al, pp. 171-172). 

What is the minimum timeframe for successful coaching outcomes?

It’s important to note that sustainable change occurs after 3 months, because that’s about how long it takes anyone to process and implement any new idea or practice.  New neural pathways in the brain need this kind of time to change, in order for the old way to be forgotten, and the new way to become automatic.  In other words, a new level of self-regulation is put in place through enough time spent on actualizing a new habit, way of life, or routine.  Clients can sign up for once-a- week-session, or twice-a-month-session packages within 1–6-month time periods.  With each month in any package, clients have unlimited email check-ins and one 10-minute emergency call, as part of their program.  Please call to find out more about all the programs available. 

Is it important to be coachable?

Yes, it is important to be coachable.  Clients are coachable when they want something bad enough that it would measure at least a 4/5 on a desirability scale from 1-5.  One (1) being the client is barely aware of the problem, and five (5) being the client thinks about how to solve their problem more than once daily.  Coachable clients are self-aware in understanding themselves.  They are either finished with therapy, or have therapy in place as their front line of support for things like depression, anxiety, neuroses, or addictions.  However, if they are in therapy that is okay, as long as they are ready to focus on the present and the future.  Further, they are able to take responsibility and are amenable to boosts from their coach towards achieving accountability.  They also need to be able to be brutally honest with themselves, and the coach. Finally a coachable client has the ability to be willing to see themselves in a different way, willing to feel differently, and willing to do differently.  

How will I know coaching is working?

When coaching is successful, clients believe things in a new way, which generally leads to feeling differently, and then with ease they “do” differently.  Most people feel relief and a renewed sense of inspiration obtained for the most part in the majority of sessions.  These opportunities fuel change in a natural and fun way!  Karen can help point out where change and progress are happening and serve as a second pair of eyes.  When there are swings and misses, failures and errors, these pitfalls are turned into learning opportunities.  We also know that coaching is working because we are more or less moving from a negative frame of mind to a positive frame of mind.  Further, clients feel accepted, validated, and normalized during successful coaching endeavors.  Finally, clients feel an equal relationship, as a peer, to the coach.

References

• Berkel, L. A., Armstrong, T. D., & Cokley, K. O. (2004). Similarities and differences between religiosity and spirituality in African American college students: A preliminary investigation. Counseling & Values, 49(1), 2-14.
• Greeson, J. M., Smoski, M. J., Suarez, E. C., Brantley, J. G., Ekblad, A. G., Lynch, T. R., & Wolever, R. Q. (2015). Decreased symptoms of depression after mindfulness-based stress reduction: Potential moderating effects of religiosity, spirituality, trait mindfulness, sex, and age. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 21(3),       166-174.
• Coach Training Alliance. (2022)
• Shulman, L. (2016). The skills of helping individuals, families, groups and communities (8^th Ed.).  Boston, MA:  Cengage Learning