Our Four Pillars of Coaching

PILLAR ONE is Mindful Presence.
Mindfulness refers to the act of maintaining focused, nonjudgmental awareness in the present moment. Consequently, mindful presence is the application of mindfulness in relation to another individual, necessitating intentional awareness on various levels. This process demands consistent practice of mindfulness by the practitioner to effectively incorporate it into the therapeutic interaction.

PILLAR TWO is Safe Space.
Establishing an environment of safety, as perceived by the client, is essential for fostering a trusting, connected, and effective health coaching relationship. This matter is variable and constantly evolving, and what is necessary for the client to experience safety is contingent upon the time, the content, and the relationship. The coach must consistently maintain a fluid awareness of safety. Recognising the sacredness of the relationship and the process, even if not explicitly discussed with the client, instills respect for each individual’s inherent potential for growth through their higher self and facilitates the mystery and miracles of healing that, as humans, we may never completely comprehend.

PILLAR THREE is Authentic Communication
This domain draws from and expands upon various communication frameworks, including motivational interviewing, appreciative inquiry, and nonviolent communication, synthesizing them into a unified summary encompassing the following four components:

• Deep listening refers to the ability to comprehend what is being conveyed through and beyond the words, including body language and emotions. It necessitates the application of diverse ways of knowing for both the coach and the client.
• Curious inquiry represents a nonjudgmental approach to open-hearted exploration, free from specific goals or expectations.
• Perceptive reflections serve to mirror for the client what has been heard or perceived, with the coach consistently verifying the “truth” of the reflection with the client. This presents an opportunity to provide observations and insights with empathy, rather than pity, sympathy, or judgment.
• Silence constitutes a vital and frequently overlooked element of effective human communication. Practitioners must cultivate their own comfort with silence to be attuned and responsive to its effective use with a client.

PILLAR FOUR focuses on Self-awareness
This involves maintaining moment-to-moment mindfulness regarding oneself—physically, mentally, and emotionally. To ensure clarity with the client, a coach must consistently recognise the feelings and reactions that emerge internally, allowing them to appropriately manage their responses during the session and address any personal matters that may need attention outside of it. Consequently, an effective health coach is committed to a lifelong journey of personal development, utilising whatever tools, skills, and resources are necessary over time. In essence, health coaches are required to consistently embody their own well-being to effectively support and nurture the well-being of others.