Coaches Corner – Consulting
We have talked in previous blogs about the importance of Immanuel Coaches continuing to go after their own healing with Jesus. By doing this, we model humility and a desire for intimacy with Jesus in our own lives. We also inevitably get triggered while coaching others. As we pursue Jesus in our own lives, we are able to be the best untriggered coaches for others.
There is another level that I want to discuss today. We call it consulting. It is critical for those of us in the Immanuel community to have someone (or multiple someone’s) who we can talk to about the people we are coaching in order to receive guidance, and advice on our sessions.
We will inevitably hit plateaus, and blind spots with those we coach. These may be from getting into comfortable patterns with the person. They may stem from a fear to bring up something we are noticing in the sessions and not wanting to hurt their feelings. Sometimes the Receiver runs into something in the way that we just cannot get past. Sometimes the Coach hits his or her own blind spots / blocks.
By having someone on the outside (preferably someone ahead of you in their Immanuel experience) to talk about your coaching, you open yourself up to a different set of eyes and mind to speak into the situation. They may see a way in that you hadn’t tried yet.
The wisdom I have received from my consulting talks has made me a better coach. They are teaching / learning moments. It has given me words to formulate those “I’m noticing” talks with the receiver. As an example, “I may be way off here. It may just be me. But I am noticing that over our last few sessions there has been some resistance to going into memories. Would you be OK if we ask Jesus about that?” That kind of awareness and phrasing came from my consulting time with a mentor.
Here is an important caveat: We do not discuss details of the sessions. We have to maintain privacy and confidentiality. Instead, we can share how the process itself is going. Is the person connecting with Jesus? With the true Lord Jesus? Is the person able to enter into negative memories with Jesus and let Him bring healing? Are you noticing fruit in the Receiver?
So, reach out to a mentor periodically. Even if you don’t sense anything off in your sessions (especially if you don’t sense anything off in your sessions…). Schedule it quarterly. As specific situations arise, have someone to call to get help.
We are not in this alone! Use the resources of this amazing Immanuel community that Jesus is building.