March 24, 2015
by Suzanne Samson
Last week, I was working with a client who is co-authoring a research paper with a colleague. His frustration with his co-author had cropped up in a number of recent sessions, and the previous week we had identified a pattern of feelings that come up for him in their interchanges.
Just having a clearer awareness of what he felt (and viewing it as “normal”) was a relief to him. He had arrived at that session walking with a tentative shuffle, and he left with a spring in his step.
Arriving at this next session with a big smile on his face, he announced with pride that he’d had a conversation with the colleague feeling centered and connected. His explanation of what made this possible was short and to the point: “Actually, after our last session, I realized what was feeding all of those emotions was fear. So before I talked with him, I just used that fear thing.”
“That Fear Thing” (aka “Moving Beyond Fear”) is one of my favorite Body-Centered Coaching tools. It:
- is easy to learn but packs a powerful impact
- has a “multiplier effect” - when fear is dissolved, a number of emotions/beliefs usually become available for healing
- enables clients to personalize the process to make it especially effective for them.
This last one is what I love best about Body-Centered Coaching. As Certified Body-Centered Coaches (CBCCs), we consciously generate a mindful space in which we use the tools. Their power is enhanced by the shared presence we create. But the pragmatic part of me just loves the fact tools can also be used by the client on the spur of the moment, in the rough and tumble of everyday life.
Did my client follow the sequencing? Who knows? Did he skip a step that might have deepened the experience? Possibly. Does either of these matter? I would answer with a resounding “NO!”
He had learned how he personally experiences fear and was aware that it was impacting him. He knew that clearing the fear would let him make more centered choices in the moment.
And, best of all, he had the tool that could get him there -- and he knew how to use it.
Suzanne Samson, PCC, CPCC, ORSCC, CBCC
www.essentialstrengths.com
