What is Transition Coaching?

In a sense, all coaching aims toward some type of transition or transformation.  Generally, the purpose is to incite some sort of positive or desired change. This change can be specific, such as when applied to someone’s targeted behaviors, emotional reactions and/or ways of thinking, which the client wishes to address. In other cases, the change can be broader, such as when one is transitioning into older ages or phases of development, into new endeavors or professional careers or when facing any major shift in their life situation.  Recently, the term transformation has been applied to various situations and marketing agendas, even when the “transformation” is related to corporate or institutional goals. However, traditionally, transformation was reserved for more profound and personal change in which there is a shift in one’s whole being, not just a change in something they do. This type of transformation is often less observable by others, because it is a shift in the person’s space from which they respond to every day life and situations. For a few, a transformation may occur abruptly and unexpectedly, sometimes through a positive experience, other times through a traumatic one. For most, the transformation is gradual, and therefore less noticed by others. It is similar to how we do not suddenly see a dramatic change in our children’s development. Yet, all others who do not see your child often, are surprised by the enormous changes and say things like “you’re so tall!” Transformation is often an incremental shift in the way we personally and subjectively live our personal lives and respond to our life’s circumstances. The overall intention of transition coaching is to work with the client, so that they can discover strategies, practices and tools that will promote these types of changes and transformations, whether they apply to one’s general and personal well-being or to a more specific type of transition.

Transition / Transformational Coaching and Spirituality

Transformative dialogue frequently involves religious and/or spiritual language, so it is common for these topics to come up in a coaching situation.  As a coach, I do not strive to provide any unsolicited religion-specific interpretations or even more broadly to give “spiritual” advice on what one should do or not do.  Instead, I facilitate the process for the client [who has an interest], to dive deeper into their own spiritual path or faith.  Anyone who is not comfortable using spiritual language during a coaching session, for any reason, should feel at liberty to express this without any concern.