Written by Rebecca T Dickson, Leadership Coach
Rebecca T Dickson is recognized as one of the most transformational leaders in the world. She is the founder of The Yes Method, teaching leaders how to feel and process emotions; an intuitive; author; horse medicine practitioner; and a huge fan of nature-based therapies.
The coaching industry is at a crossroads. As more people seek guidance in navigating their personal and professional lives, coaches have a choice: cling to outdated, one-size-fits-all approaches or evolve to meet the deep emotional and psychological realities clients are facing.
The world doesn’t just need more coaching; it needs better coaching. And that means trauma-informed coaching isn’t just a nice to have. It’s an imperative.
What trauma-informed coaching actually is (and isn’t)
Many people hear “trauma-informed” and assume it’s about diving into deep psychological wounds or playing therapist. It emphatically is not.
Trauma-informed coaching is about understanding the way unresolved trauma, whether personal, generational, or collective, impacts a person’s ability to take action, trust themselves, and sustain change.
It’s about shifting from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” and recognizing that behavioral patterns often stem from survival mechanisms, not a lack of willpower.
Why coaches can’t afford to ignore trauma
The coaching world has long emphasized high performance, mindset shifts and taking massive action. But when clients are dealing with underlying trauma, this approach often backfires, sometimes in a really big way.
Pushing harder isn’t the answer when someone’s nervous system is locked in fight, flight or freeze mode. Trauma-informed coaching acknowledges that safety, not pressure, is the foundation for real, lasting change.
Beyond individual experiences, we’re in a time of global upheaval. Economic instability, political division, and climate anxiety all contribute to a baseline level of stress and uncertainty that affects people’s ability to focus, plan and grow.
Coaching that ignores these realities risks feeling out of touch and ineffective.
Trauma-informed coaching as a leadership standard
For coaches who want to lead in this industry rather than just keep up, becoming trauma-informed is the next evolution of excellence. This means:
Learning how the nervous system affects decision-making and behavior
Recognizing when a client’s resistance is a sign of trauma, not laziness
Creating a coaching space that fosters true psychological safety
Understanding how to guide transformation without triggering re-traumatization
The call for ethical coaching practices transformation
There’s a growing demand for depth, nuance and humanity in the coaching space. People don’t just want tactics. They want to feel seen, heard and supported in a way that honors their lived experiences.
Coaches who understand trauma’s impact are not only more effective but also uphold an ethical standard that will define the future of coaching.
This isn’t just about keeping up with industry trends. It’s about recognizing the responsibility that comes with guiding people through transformation.
Trauma-informed coaching isn’t a specialty. It’s the foundation of coaching done right.
If you’re ready to deepen your coaching skills and become truly trauma-informed, our next 10-week certification program begins on February 27. This is your chance to step into the future of coaching with confidence, integrity, and a skill set that truly serves your clients. Reach out to learn more and secure your spot today.
Rebecca T Dickson, Leadership Coach
Rebecca T Dickson is recognized as one of the most transformational leaders in the world. She is the founder of The Yes Method, teaching leaders how to feel and process emotions - and rise. During her 16 years in the coaching industry, she has served tens of thousands of clients globally. The mission: Be yourself.
