I don’t know if you follow me on social media, but I do a fair amount of posting there about my personal life and my values, in addition to posting helpful coaching tips.
I talk about my challenges and how I cope.
I talk about my commitment to social justice and share ideas about how we can create a more equitable world.
And sometimes, if they are willing, I get to post a pic or two of my family and our adventures together.
Being transparent about my values and my life is another reason I’m grateful to not be a therapist anymore.
Traditional therapeutic models teach practitioners to reveal nothing about themselves to clients. We’re told that doing so would negatively influence our client’s work – and rightfully, their work is the most important thing in the room.
But there’s also a strong message that it isn’t safe to share anything personal with clients because they might lack healthy boundaries and could harm us in some way. (Definitely in some settings with some clients for sure, but fortunately, I rarely had that problem in the 18 years I was a therapist. Not to mention, I was never very good at being a blank slate.)
Now, if you’ve ever listened to Brene Brown, you’ll know she teaches that vulnerability builds connection – with ourselves and each other.
And, my current coach Trudi LeBron talks a lot about liberatory leadership – how practicing explicit inclusion, transparency, and shared power can lead to freedom for everyone. Client and coach included.
My point is…. (I know I’m rambling) is that ditching therapy for coaching has allowed me to be with you in ways that I couldn’t as a therapist.
Now, I get to bring all of myself to this work. I can share with you my values, my experiences and in that way you know exactly where I stand and whether you’d want to work with me.
Due to being an extroverted-looking introvert and my conditioning as a therapist, it isn’t always easy to talk about myself or what I stand for.
It takes courage to speak up about issues that others may not agree with.
It feels edgy to post about defunding the police or advocating for trans rights or calling out white-coach racist nonsense when I see it.
But I do it because standing up for the oppressed is more important than being comfortable.
Because modeling vulnerability and courage is one way to live my core value of authenticity.
Because I hope that what I share inspires you to take action – whether that’s in terms of your self-care, living your life’s purpose, or standing up for what’s right.
That’s what I wanted to share with you today.
If you want to connect on social media, I’d love that.
Let’s keep talking and speaking up and living our lives with purpose.
Our time here is so short and we have so much to do.
