Compassion Focused Coaching for Leaders with Imposter Syndrome and Perfectionism

Do you work with coaching clients who are challenged by perfectionism, imposter syndrome, low confidence or anxiety?

If so, then the AC’s Signature Programme on ‘Compassion Focused Coaching ’ starting in September might just be for you.

I was delighted to attend a recent Member Benefit webinar where I got to meet the programme host, clinical psychologist Dr Ashleigh McLellan .

Ashleigh introduced us to the neuroscientific theory which explains why self-compassion (vs compassion for others) can be so tricky to achieve, and also how it is the key to the management of troublesome emotions.?

She also explained how compassion in coaching - which she defines as ‘a sensitivity to suffering (i.e. noticing suffering), with a commitment and motivation to alleviate it’), acts at a physiological level and can reach through where cognitive approaches fall short.

Practical Tools for Nurturing Self Compassion?

We participated in a practical exercise where we did some exploring of alternative thought patterns (one of the key tools in cognitive behavioural coaching) and realised how some people can experience them as angry or critical voices which in turn then feed negative loop patterns of unhelpful thinking and behaviour.?

We were reminded that as humans we have the challenge of still having an old ‘chimp’ brain which is on the constant lookout for threats.?We learned that our human ability for thought and imagination in combination with the ‘old’ brain can lead us to ruminate, exaggerate and catastrophise about issues and make us angry, anxious or sad.

By developing a deeper knowledge of the Compassion Focussed Coaching approach, we can help our clients understand for themselves that the conflict between our ‘old brain’ and ‘new brain’ is part and parcel of the human condition – it’s not their fault!?And, crucially, how to activate the ‘soothing system’ to reduce the experience of threat, create the space to respond in a more human way and get onto a new, more positive path.?

As a cognitive behavioural theory trained coach myself, I recognise that CBT sometimes needs to be supplemented by other approaches to help clients break unhelpful patterns. I’m looking forward to learning about Compassion Focussed Coaching when I join the programme in September.?

Plus, it’s clear from Ashleigh’s warm and inclusive approach that this is going to be a very enjoyable experience and a great learning environment too!

About the Compassion Focused Coaching Signature Programme

Compassion Focused Therapy is an established evidence-based approach used in clinical settings. In this Signature Programme, you will be guided through the main elements of theory that are most useful when working with executive clients and teams.

It can be integrated into your existing coaching practice and complement what you do already.

The Signature Programme comprises 8 webinars:

8 September????????????????What is compassion and why it applies to coaching

15 September??????????????Our tricky brain and its problematic loops

29 September??????????????The three systems of emotion regulation and how to apply them

6 October????????????????????Fears, blocks and resistances to compassion

13 October??????????????????Self-criticism, its function, how it blocks us; and compassionate correction as an alternative

20 October??????????????????Thought balancing, letter writing, and behavioural goals

3 November?????????????????Identifying out ‘multiples’

10 November???????????????Enhancing our compassionate inner coach

You can find out more about the Programme and book your place on it here: Compassion Focused Coaching .