How do you create a safe and supportive space for clients to express their emotions?

Validation involves acknowledging and accepting the client's emotions as valid and understandable. By validating their experiences, you show that you respect their feelings and perspectives, which can help build trust and rapport. Empathy is another essential aspect of creating a supportive environment. It involves putting yourself in the client's shoes, understanding their emotions, and expressing genuine care and concern. To create this safe space, actively listen to your clients without judgment or interruption. Reflect back on what they have shared to show that you understand their emotions. Use phrases like "I can see why you would feel that way" or "That sounds really challenging" to validate their experiences.

One thing I've found helpful is having a conversation with the client in the beginning around safety. Ask the client what they would need to feel safe as well you sharing the parameters of the safety/safe space provided.

Active listening is essential - also put all distractions around you away a turn off phones, emails and have a quiet space where you can really focus on your client.

Grounded in both evolutionary and neuroscience perspectives, this approach taps into our innate need for social connection. Moreover on a neurological level, empathetic listening activates crucial brain regions tied to emotional processing and social bonding, like the mirror neuron system. Mirroring a client's emotions in this way not only deepens our therapeutic connection but also triggers a neurobiological response that encourages clients to lower emotional defenses and facilitates a more open and honest exploration of vulnerability.

Si al iniciar la actividad, logramos dejar en claro que nadie tiene la verdad y que lo que hacemos es tomar la mayor cantidad de comentarios para así lograr comprender lo que ocurre, es más posible que los participantes sientan la seguridad de compartir sus ideas / emociones / creencias / experiencias. Y (en mi opinión) este es el primer gran paso. Ya que si no logramos generar ese espacio seguro, para que los asistentes se expresen, no tendremos nada para escuchar.

In my experience, telling clients that it's normal for them to feel the way that they are feeling is like lifting a weight off of their shoulders. Often they express fear about what they are feeling or how long they think they should have those feelings. When you tell them that it's normal to feel their feelings, you can create a space where they will start to process the feelings instead of being resistant to them. It's the processing that becomes so important in moving through the feelings and into growth.

While coaching, it's important to validate and normalize emotions. I help clients to understand that their feelings are valid and normal, and that it's okay to feel the way they do. I acknowledge their emotions and provide a non-judgmental space for them to express themselves. I also help clients to reframe negative thoughts and emotions into more positive ones. By doing so, they can gain a new perspective on their situation and feel more empowered to take action. I believe that validating and normalizing emotions is key to helping clients build self-awareness and self-acceptance. It allows them to move forward in a more positive and productive way.

I would not prefer to use the term "normalize". as "norm" is something derived by society. Many behavioral "norms" are imposed by society and as a coach, my work is to free that person and guide him to experience their true self. Instead, I found it helpful to help my clients to get aware of their emotions and feelings and allow themselves/if emotions are not so painful/ to feel them and accept them. Allowing them to feel their emotions and accept them is different from saying;" it is normal". I disagree with the statement "many people feel like you". This statement diminishes the significance of people's feelings and personalities. I treat them with respect as unique human beings.

In my experience, when coaching through tough emotions, the next step is to acknowledge and understand those feelings. It's about accepting and respecting how the clients feels without making it seem small or wrong. You can say things like "I get how hard this is" or "It's okay to feel this way" to show support. Also, saying "Lots of people feel like this" or "Feeling this way is common in tough situations" helps the client feel more understood and less alone.

From what I've seen, when coaching through tough emotions, exploring and changing how you see those feelings is important. It's about helping the client understand their emotions better without pushing your own ideas. Asking questions like "What's this feeling trying to show you?" or "How does it affect you?" helps them figure out the root of their emotions. Techniques like finding positives or thinking about different situations help them see their feelings in a new light and find new possibilities.

Exploring and reframing emotions is a crucial part of the process. I help clients to identify and explore the underlying emotions that may be holding them back. By understanding their emotions, clients can gain clarity and insight into their thoughts and behaviors. I also work with clients to reframe their emotions into more positive and productive ones. For example, if a client is feeling overwhelmed, I may reframe that feeling into a sense of excitement or opportunity for growth. By exploring and reframing emotions, clients can learn to manage their emotions in a more effective way and move forward with confidence.

From my experience, working toward shifting negative emotions and going to the cause of them, is not possible only by using techniques on the mental level of coaching/ like reframing, and thinking about the emotion/. The mental level of coaching can give awareness but not much when come to processing emotions. When I work with emotions, it needs to work on a different level - mind-body coaching. Sometimes it is hard for the client to address or clearly describe his emotions but they can feel them and work with them. it is part of accessing and processing emotions.

To add to the above, I found it crucial for managing emotional state to practice presence. Returning to the present moment gives relevant stability and with practice, the client will have part of it stable and grounded which prevents him from feeling of "totally out of control". I couldn't agree more with encouraging clients to use their creative force. It diminishes resistance and opens them up. In this state of openness, they slowly will be able to find their true self.

One helpful thing I've found is taking action and staying connected when coaching through tough emotions. It's about guiding without taking over. Use tools like setting achievable goals and steps. Then, follow up by giving feedback and celebrating progress. This helps clients see their achievements and keep moving forward.