Effective Coaching Tools

While the counselling that I provide is individually tailored to the client, I typically utilize the following tools in which I am specifically trained:

Emotional Freedom Technique

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a well-known healing aid that is designed to defuse the effects of painful emotions from the body and to promote physical and emotional health.  Sometimes called “acupuncture without needles”, EFT works on the premise that unresolved emotional issues are caused by disruptions to the body’s energy meridians. These disruptions inhibit our natural ability to heal, leaving us vulnerable to chronic fears, pain and illness. Quite often, people are aware of the events or memories that trigger emotional discomfort in their lives, but they have not yet connected those memories to the symptoms of disease in their body.

Does emotional freedom technique work?  – Using EFT, it is possible to revisit the event(s) in question and balance the body’s energies by gently tapping with the fingertips on key meridian points on the head, torso and hands. Properly done, both emotional anguish and the physical symptoms often subside. In fact, depending on the problem, EFT typically has a success rate of 85% or more and it is estimated that over 1 million people worldwide have been helped by the technique.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is well established as an effective treatment for a range of disorders (e.g., anxiety, affective disorders) and is recognized as an evidence-based practice. The focus is on teaching clients how to control their symptoms, correct faulty thinking patterns and manage their own disorders. Ideally, at the end of treatment, clients should be able to use the strategies they have been taught to deal with any future problems and possible return of symptoms. As the name suggests, CBT combines two very effective kinds of techniques — cognitive therapy and behavior therapy.

Behavior Therapy helps weaken the connections between troublesome situations and habitual reactions to them. Reactions such as fear, depression or rage, and self-defeating or self-damaging behavior can be avoided by changing behavioral responses to certain stimuli. It also teaches clients how to calm the mind and body, so they can feel better, think more clearly, and make better decisions.

Cognitive Therapy teaches how certain unhealthy thinking patterns are causing emotional and behavioral symptoms. Clients learn how their beliefs can create a distorted picture of what’s going on in his or her life, making him or her feel anxious, depressed, or angry for no good reason, or leading to unhealthy or counterproductive behaviors. Gaining control of one’s thoughts and beliefs is a key to better emotional health.

CBT has been shown in clinical trials to help ease symptoms of various mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, psychosis, substance disorders, eating disorders). Research studies have shown that a course of CBT is just as effective as medication in treating depression and certain anxiety disorders. In addition, CBT has been proven to offer long-term benefits, as the techniques taught to the client can be utilized across a variety of difficulties over the course of a lifetime.

Coaching

Coaching combines the ideal aspects of therapy, consulting, mentoring and even friendship to form a unique and powerful alliance between the coach and the client. The coaching relationship is specifically intended to bring out the best in an individual.

Coaching is designed to help people obtain specific results while overcoming any obstacles that may be getting in the way of achieving their goals. The coach acts as a change agent by literally helping people transform from the inside out. In a session, you can expect the coach to ask open-ended questions to help the client tap into their own inner wisdom and guidance, allowing them to become empowered. During the process, the coach maintains an unwavering belief in their client and provides them with encouragement and support for positive as well as challenging circumstances. Clients feel heard and validated as they release limiting beliefs and clarify their values through the use of various coaching tools and techniques. Clients also feel a renewed sense of energy by learning that they have the power of choice as they gain insight and new perspectives. The coach’s role is non-judgmental and supportive throughout; keeping the client focused every step of the way while honoring their agenda.