Oh S**t, I’m Coaching a Coach or Therapist (AKA How to Support High-Expertise Clients)
You Can Coach Professionals Well
Don’t fret, my pet! Coaching a coach or therapist comes with unique challenges—after all, they already know the tools and techniques! This guide explores how to navigate power dynamics, build trust, and provide real value when working with high-expertise clients, so you can confidently support those who are used to being the expert.
How to confidently show up for your professional clients
1. Remember Why They Chose You: Your client or mentee didn’t choose you by accident. They saw something in you—your perspective, skills, approach, or energy—that they believed could benefit them. Trust that they’re not looking for a superior; they’re looking for a partner in growth.
2. Redefine Expertise: Expertise isn’t just about years of experience or credentials; it’s about insight, perspective, and the ability to hold space for someone else’s growth. Your unique approach, combined with your curiosity and care, creates something no one else can replicate.
3. Embrace the Power of Questions: Therapists and coaches are often in the role of guiding others. By flipping the script and asking them thoughtful, open-ended questions, you create a space for them to explore areas they may not have examined deeply. Use their expertise as a springboard to co-create solutions. Examples: “What’s working well in X, and what feels like it could use some evolution?” “What’s a blind spot you’re hoping to uncover through this process?”
4. Acknowledge and Leverage Their Expertise: Instead of trying to “prove” yourself, lean into their expertise. Celebrate their experience and ask how it influences their current challenges. This builds mutual respect and positions you as a partner rather than a competitor. Example: “How do you see your background in trauma-informed care intersecting with the challenge we’re tackling today?”
5. Focus on Your Unique Value: You’re not competing with their experience—you’re complementing it. What do you uniquely bring to the table? Whether it’s fresh insights, frameworks, creativity, or lived experience, focus on the distinct value you add. Reframe: Instead of, “I’m not as experienced as them,” think, “I bring a different perspective that can unlock something new for them.”
6. Be Transparent About Collaboration: It’s okay to acknowledge the dynamic in the room. Saying something like, “I really admire your experience, and I see this as a partnership where we can co-create solutions together,” shows humility while setting the stage for mutual respect.
7. Reflect on Your Own Journey: Think about the growth you’ve helped others achieve, even in smaller ways. Your track record matters, and it’s proof that you’ve been able to show up for others, regardless of their background or expertise.
8. Prepare, but Don’t Overprepare: It’s tempting to overcompensate by trying to prepare everything in advance, but that can make you come across as rigid or insecure. Instead, trust the process, and lean on your ability to respond dynamically in the moment.
9. Remember the Coaching Mindset: Your role isn’t to be the ultimate expert; it’s to facilitate growth, reflection, and clarity. Even the most seasoned therapists and coaches need someone to hold space for them and ask questions they wouldn’t think to ask themselves.
10. Focus on the Client, Not Yourself: Imposter syndrome thrives when you’re hyper-focused on you. Instead, shift your attention to your client’s goals, challenges, and outcomes. When you’re deeply engaged with helping them succeed, there’s no room for self-doubt.