What Coaches Get Wrong About Trauma (And How to Get It Right)

Let’s cut the bullshit: most coaches aren’t trauma-informed, even if they think they are. Just knowing trauma exists and hoping for the best isn’t enough. Your clients deserve more. And if you’re serious about helping them, it’s time to get real about what trauma-informed coaching actually means.

First, let’s break down the difference between being trauma-aware and trauma-informed.

  • Trauma-aware: You know trauma exists. You might spot it in a client, and you avoid obvious mistakes like pushing too hard or minimizing their experience.
  • Trauma-informed: You know how to recognize trauma responses, support your clients in real time without causing harm, and protect your own energy in the process.

See the difference?

One is passive. The other is a skill set that changes how you coach on every level.

Trauma-informed coaching isn’t about fixing or diagnosing your clients. It’s about knowing how to hold space for what’s coming up, without making it worse for them or draining yourself.

Holding Space Without Soaking Up Your Client’s Energy

If you’ve ever left a session feeling completely wiped out – or worse, like you’re carrying your client’s emotions around for days – you’re not alone.

This happens because you haven’t been taught how to hold space without taking on someone else’s energy.

It’s not about caring less. It’s about grounding and releasing so you can stay fully present without burning out.

Here’s how you do it:

  1. Ground yourself before every session. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Plant your feet on the floor. Take a deep breath. Picture your energy staying anchored and steady.
  2. Release what isn’t yours. I like to imagine shaking off everything that doesn’t belong to me, like dirt off my boots. It’s simple but powerful.

These little rituals can save you from the emotional hangover that comes from taking on too much. They’ll help you show up stronger for your clients without sacrificing yourself in the process.

Why Trauma-Informed Coaching Matters More Than Ever

Here’s the truth: Clients are craving deeper work. They’re no longer satisfied with surface-level mindset shifts or generic advice.

They want real transformation, and if you’re not trauma-informed, you’re missing an opportunity to meet them at that level.

That’s exactly why I created my Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification.

This isn’t just another coaching course full of theory and buzzwords. It’s a 10-week deep dive into practical tools you can use right away. You’ll learn how to recognize trauma in the moment, respond effectively, and protect your own energy while doing the work.

What you’ll walk away with:

  • Confidence in handling whatever comes up in a session without panicking or second-guessing yourself
  • Tools to help your clients regulate their nervous systems (even when they’re spinning out)
  • A deeper understanding of how trauma shows up in coaching and what to do about it

If you’ve been feeling like there’s something missing in your coaching, this is probably it. 

Trauma-informed work takes your practice from good to life-changing—for you and your clients.

What’s Next?

The coaching industry is changing fast. More clients are seeking trauma-informed coaches. And more coaches are realizing they need these tools to stay relevant and effective. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start coaching at a deeper level, this certification is your next step.

[Click here to learn more and enroll.]

Final Word

Being trauma-informed isn’t about knowing all the answers. It’s about knowing how to hold space, how to respond with compassion and clarity, and how to protect your own energy so you can keep doing this work without burning out.

If that resonates with you, it’s time to take the next step.

The next cohort begins Feb. 27. Join us.

Ethical Guidelines for Trauma-Informed Coaching

Trauma-informed coaching is about creating a safe and supportive space for clients, while respecting the boundaries of your role as a coach. Following clear, ethical guidelines helps protect both you and your clients, ensuring the work is impactful and professional.

Bonus: You become the one person who “gets” your clients. This modality, when done with integrity and compassion, builds a undying loyalty and consistent referrals. People just want to feel heard and seen. Help them by becoming Trauma-Informed.

Understand Your Scope

As a coach, your role is to guide, support and empower clients, not to diagnose or treat trauma. Be clear about your boundaries and avoid stepping into therapeutic territory.

Your role involves creating an environment where clients feel heard and validated, while recognizing that deeper trauma processing requires the expertise of licensed mental health professionals.

When working with clients, explicitly communicate your scope of practice at the outset of the relationship. This clarity helps set appropriate expectations and builds trust.

For example, if a client begins discussing unresolved trauma that seems beyond your ability to address, gently explain that while you can support them in specific ways, they may benefit from additional professional help.

Recognize When to Refer

Referrals are a critical component of trauma-informed coaching. Knowing when and how to refer a client to a mental health professional ensures their needs are met ethically and effectively.

Below are key indicators that a client may require additional support:

  1. Intense Emotional Dysregulation: If a client is unable to manage overwhelming emotions during or after sessions, it may indicate the need for therapeutic intervention.
  2. Recurring Trauma Flashbacks: Persistent flashbacks or dissociative episodes are beyond the scope of coaching and require specialized care.
  3. Stagnation or Regression: If a client shows little progress despite consistent effort, it may signal unresolved trauma requiring deeper exploration with a therapist.
  4. Self-Harm or Suicidal Ideation: Immediate referral is necessary when a client exhibits signs of self-harm or expresses suicidal thoughts. Be prepared to act swiftly and responsibly.
  5. Substance Abuse or Addictive Behaviors: These often require comprehensive treatment plans and the involvement of specialized professionals.

Referring a client isn’t a failure. It’s a testament to your commitment to their well-being.

Building a trusted network of licensed therapists, counselors and other mental health professionals ensures you have resources ready when needed. Familiarize yourself with their areas of expertise and maintain open communication to facilitate smooth transitions for your clients.

Providing clients with multiple options, where possible, empowers them to choose the right fit for their needs.

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas can arise unexpectedly in trauma-informed work. For example, a client may disclose current abuse, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.

Here are key steps to navigate these situations:

  • Prioritize Transparency: Let clients know at the beginning of your coaching relationship about any limits to confidentiality, such as mandatory reporting laws.
  • Client Safety Comes First: If a client’s safety is at risk, take appropriate action. This may involve reporting to authorities, contacting a mental health professional or involving emergency services.
  • Seek Guidance: Consult with a supervisor, mentor or peer network to ensure your decisions align with ethical best practices. Document these consultations for accountability and clarity.

Respect Client Autonomy

Empower your clients to make their own decisions and set the pace for their healing journey. Avoid pushing them to explore areas they are not ready to confront.

This approach fosters a sense of safety and collaboration. Key principles include:

  • Active Listening: Reflect and validate clients’ experiences without judgment or assumptions.
  • Encouraging Agency: Use questions and exercises that help clients identify their own solutions and next steps.
  • Pacing: Allow clients to progress at a speed that feels safe and manageable for them.

Ongoing Education

The field of trauma research is always evolving, and staying informed is essential to maintaining ethical and effective practices.

Commit to continuous professional development by:

  • Attending workshops and conferences focused on trauma and its impacts.
  • Reading recent studies, books, and resources from experts like Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) and Peter Levine (Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma).
  • Engaging in peer learning through supervision groups or online forums.
  • Pursuing certifications or advanced training in trauma-informed approaches.

By adhering to these ethical guidelines, you create a coaching relationship built on trust, safety, and integrity.

Trauma-informed coaching is a collaborative process that respects the unique journey of each client. When coaches remain within their scope, refer appropriately, and commit to ongoing learning, clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to move forward.

References:

  • van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.
  • Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
  • SAMHSA. (2014). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov

Ready to become a trauma-informed coach?

Are your clients hitting emotional walls that slow their progress? You know they have incredible potential, but something is blocking their breakthroughs.

In our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program, you’ll learn to recognize trauma responses and integrate practical tools that allow you to help your clients push through their emotional barriers for lasting transformation.

Do your clients struggle with stress, burnout, or emotional rigidity that undermines their leadership? Unresolved trauma can impact a leader’s ability to perform at their best. Our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program shows you how to recognize trauma in leadership, provide emotional regulation tools and create healthier work environments – so your clients can lead with clarity and confidence.

Do you see clients who are emotionally stuck or overwhelmed but don’t know how to guide them past these roadblocks? In our Trauma-Informed Coaching Certification program, you’ll gain strategies to help your clients work through their emotional barriers—empowering them to find balance, resilience and inner peace so they can thrive in all areas of their life.

The next cohort begins Feb. 27.

Join us and become part of the 1%. Your clients need you now more than ever.