Picture this: Your client breaks down in tears mid-session. Or they’re venting frustration, anger, or hopelessness, and you have no idea what to say.
Your instinct? You want to fix it. Offer advice. Say something comforting.
But here’s the golden rule of coaching: It’s not your job to fix your client’s emotions.
Why Coaches Struggle with Heavy Emotions:
We want to help, so we feel uncomfortable “just sitting with it.”
We confuse silence with inaction.
We think we should have all the answers.
How to Hold Space Without Giving Advice:
Acknowledge Their Feelings.
Simple phrases like: “That sounds really hard,” or “I can see how much this matters to you,” make clients feel seen.
Stay Curious, Not Fix-It Mode.
Ask: “What’s coming up for you right now?” or “How would you like to move through this?”
Breathe and Trust.
Heavy emotions are not something you need to solve. Trust that your client’s process is unfolding as it needs to.
Reflect What You See.
“I’m noticing sadness here. Do you want to explore that?” Naming the emotion can help them feel safe to go deeper.
When your client brings heavy emotions, your greatest gift is your presence. You don’t need to fix them—you just need to walk alongside them.
Want to work deeper on this? Let’s talk about The Mindful Coach! I’d love to share more with you!
Love, Olga
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