Grief is a complicated thing, affecting individuals in different ways. Grief can make daily tasks feel heavy, and motivation can disappear. As we approach Memorial Day to pause and honor those who gave their lives in service to protect our nation, loss is a very real thing that many life coaches will be working with in their client sessions. Losing a loved one lasts well beyond the date they were lost, and anniversaries and days of remembrance can open wounds of hurting and sorrow that can be addressed when working with clients. A life coach can create a safe space for this conversation and help clients recognize and manage their grief during these emotional times.
Honoring Memorial Day as an Anniversary
Emotions can run higher on Memorial Day, which is considered an anniversary and a somber reminder of the loss of a loved one in service. Clients dealing with loss due to a loved one serving in the military may choose to attend a celebration or stay at home. The way individuals deal with loss varies significantly, and coaches must acknowledge this and work with clients where they are in their grief. Some stay busy and contribute by volunteering, while others may prefer to be alone and have private time to reflect. There is no correct way to deal with grief, but coaches can guide clients to healthy ways to manage their grief and stay focused and motivated through the difficult days ahead.
Grief Over a Lost Loved One to Military Service
Grief changes over time, and life coaches who remain with their clients for long seasons will experience their clients’ grief in different ways as it manifests itself. Grief is not an emotion, and it benefits from working with a skilled life coach because it often comes in waves. Clients may experience highs and lows, and a life coach can structure sessions to avoid the pitfall of a venting session. Having the training and skills to successfully navigate coaching clients who are grieving is not to be taken lightly. Coaching skills must be learned, practiced, and applied, which is why it is so important to hold recognized certifications from reputable organizations such as the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Supporting clients dealing with grief requires strong foundational coaching skills and integrity with boundaries. All these are learned through ICF and supporting providers like Life Purpose Institute.
What Signs to Look for In Grieving Clients
Coaches who have worked with grieving clients experience missed commitments, resistance to feedback, and forgetfulness. Some clients report feeling numb, and this can also be a time when they test boundaries with their coaches. Coaches must stand firm in their training and use the resources available to them to navigate these difficult waters. Clients may become increasingly needy of their coaches’ time and even ask for them to be available after hours. Coaches should always use their training and experience to guide these situations.
One of the best pieces of advice coaches share is to allow that space to be empty when clients go silent in their grieving. A calm, safe, and silent space allows clients to grieve and then intentionally choose an appropriate question. Anytime a coach is working with a client who is grieving the loss of someone in the military and is at a loss, reach out to a mentor or expert from your organization and let them offer you their insight. Coaches don’t have to coach alone when they work with a reputable life coaching certification provider.
Coaching Is Not Therapy
When coaching clients who are grieving, stay ethical. Clients who are grieving from the loss of a loved one may share details about their mental or physical health or personal trauma. In these situations, coaches must know when it is time for clients to seek professional therapy, but can still offer support with life structure, habits, decisions, and goals. Coaches never want their clients to feel rejected or like they’re too big a project for the life coach. It is just a different realm of help they may require to navigate their grief. Knowing when to encourage clients to seek professional help is a big step, one only those with the best training can take. Even seasoned life coaches may reach out to their peers for guidance and insight. Confidentiality and integrity are essential to a coach’s reputation and success working with clients.
Three Ways to Coach with Compassion
Clients who are grieving may experience a surge of responses on Memorial Day or another significant anniversary. Over time, coaches recognize these signs and can help clients through. A coach should work to stabilize a client by helping them prioritize caring for their body and mind through sleep, hydration, and nutrition. The basics can seem unimportant to someone who is grieving, and coaches can work with clients to set small, attainable goals. Once clients have goals for taking care of their bodies, coaches help other goals into smaller, more manageable ones if a client feels overwhelmed during their grief. Don’t abandon goals but shrink them so clients feel they can continue to make progress. Ultimately, coaches want clients to rebuild after experiencing loss, helping them identify triggers and have a plan for when grief comes in waves.
Contact Life Purpose Institute to learn more about the coaching certification programs and unique support we offer to those seeking to explore this field and make a truly significant impact in the lives of others.
