Using somatic psychology in a coaching context to deal with heightened emotions     — ASN Events
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  3. Using somatic psychology in a coaching context to deal with heightened emotions    

Using somatic psychology in a coaching context to deal with heightened emotions     (#903)

Kimberley Wakefield 1 2
  1. Canadian Positive Psychology Association, Toronto, ON, Canada
  2. Positive Psychology, Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe, UK

As a trained coach with a MAPP degree, my practice is deeply informed by my studies in positive psychology.  Throughout the research process for my dissertation on posttraumatic growth, I investigated every aspect including the evidence-based practice of somatic psychology and the embodiment of our emotions (Sparkes, 1996).  Considering this embodiment specifically for its power to process, heal and grow (Van der Kolk, 2015).

The aim of this presentation is to understand somatic psychology through the lens of a coach, how it can be used with clients to manage emotions, build awareness, and make wholistic decisions (Strozzi-Heckler, 2014).  Gathered from the science of the above cited works mixing somatic coaching, embodied wisdom, and our innate ability to heal trauma, we can imbue our more cognitive-based coaching methodology with this deeper, more innate sense of ourselves.

Using the experiences from the clients in my practice, I will discuss case studies of precisely how this technique was used, within context, and the results achieved. I will show how simple, somatic-based exercises can be used within a coaching conversation to help guide clients, paying particular attention to when emotions are intense and threaten the client’s ability to meaningfully engage with the conversation. In addition, we will discuss how tuning into the body’s sensory experience can help us make decisions that are more deeply connected to our inner wisdom.   

I will show, with the results from clients in my practice, the process whereby we are able to make more wholistic decisions and goal setting, along with learning to tap into the body’s wisdom for guidance and the development of a somatic practice to manage emotions. I have now taught this process to practitioners in multiple contexts, even including live demonstrations to show how coaches can expand their skills set resulting in significantly enhanced and more meaningful results for the clients, something they can literally feel.

  1. Sparkes, A. C. (1996). The fatal flaw: A narrative of the fragile body-self. Qualitative Inquiry, 2(4), 463–494.
  2. Strozzi-Heckler, R. (2014). The Art of Somatic Coaching. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books.
  3. Van der Kolk, B. (2015). The Body Keeps Score: brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. New York: Penguin Random House.
  • Please select up to 3 keywords from the following list to best describe your submission content: Coaching, Coping and Emotion Regulation, Physical Wellbeing
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