What is relational coaching?
Out of all the services I offer, relational coaching is my absolute favorite! I love working with clients who want to gain more awareness about themselves, how they show up in the world, and how that impacts their relationships. I think many of us are just trying to make sense of our lives and looking for the puzzle pieces that will help us live a more fulfilling existence. In my personal life, I’ve looked to therapists, coaches, workshops, meditation, spirituality, psychology, books, podcasts, and friends, all of which/whom have given me sparks of wisdom to help me gradually piece together what can otherwise be a confusing reality. Aside from continually educating ourselves, sometimes we need people to reflect back to us what we’re putting out into the world.
As much as modern day society emphasizes individualism, we are social beings and need community in order to thrive. Having the support of others helps us feel more resilient and able to face some of our hardest challenges. But what if we haven’t found our “pack” yet? Maybe we’ve participated in various communities, but they haven’t resonated with us. Perhaps even our friend circles don’t feel quite right anymore. Or maybe we’re having difficulty in the realm of dating; it’s possible we keep attracting the same type of person — the kind who is a hindrance to our growth. Whatever the case, it all comes down to how we relate to others, which is rooted in how we relate to ourselves.
When our relationships are out of alignment, it’s often because we are disconnected from ourselves in some way. Some of us stay nonstop busy, or constantly surround ourselves with distractions, or pour all of our energy into caring for others, or intellectualize our way through everything, as a way to avoid being with and facing ourselves. My goal with relational coaching is to help you identify where some of the disconnection is occurring, whether within yourself or with others, and help you navigate your challenges in manageable steps. The first step is bringing awareness to what’s happening, and then working up the courage to take action.
Each session is just a casual conversation: you share your story and let me know what you’d like to work on, and I’ll offer perspective and tools that would be useful. It doesn’t necessarily have to run deep; we start wherever you’re comfortable and go from there. It’s very freeform and individual to each client. Often just being in a setting where clients can share openly without fear of judgment, bounce ideas off of someone, and receive affirming and compassionate feedback, helps them process everything in a way they couldn’t have by themselves. Aside from gaining more insight on their situation, clients often leave with a sense of relief and renewed motivation. It can be a lot to navigate certain challenges on your own; I’m here to help you feel supported along your journey.