What is Shadow Work?

Shadow work is the process of bringing the unconscious mind into conscious awareness. It is a type of self-work that allows us to explore the parts of ourselves that we've hidden away or that we are not proud of.

These darker parts of us are called our "inner shadow selves," and are aspects of the self that are repressed or denied.

These are those things we tend to sweep under the rug because it's too painful to face or we are afraid of what others will think, resulting in emotions such as anger, fear, sadness and shame.

While some people think of the shadow self as the "dark side," it is important to remember that these aspects are not evil. They are simply parts of yourself that you are avoiding.

How does this apply to shadow work and accountability coaching?

When we become aware of that which we are not facing and choose to address it, healing can begin. We can step into a space of processing and understanding our shadow self, ways to heal and integrate those parts into ourselves to become "Whole Beings". Working with a coach to bridge the gap between the unconscious and conscious mind will help you explore these parts of yourself in a safe, encouraging, and nurturing way.

Coaching and Therapy: Whats the Primary Difference?

Generally speaking, coaching is more focused on helping you achieve your future goals, while psychotherapy tend to have a more past and present focus. That being said, many coaches should be able to help you understand how the past contributes to your present, and psychotherapist can help you achieve your future goals.

Although I do spend a limited amount of time “looking back” and helping clients understand why their fears, values, beliefs, and personality exist. My goal is not to process the client’s past. My goal is to help the client become the best version of themselves.

I’ve already been to therapy. How will a coaching session be different?

First, as your guide I believe that you are the expert on you. I am not there to assess or educate you about yourself. I am there to provide the environment, tools, and information that allow you to do your best thinking and access your own brilliance. I am simply the expert on drawing out and making sense of your inner wisdom.

Second, as your guide, I will test your comfort zone. While therapists usually allow the client to dictate the pace of the sessions, a guide will challenge you to move forward more quickly than you would on your own. As your guide I will ask you to get real about what you truly are not ready for, and what you are simply afraid of.

Finally, although working with a guide may help individuals with clinical disorders like anxiety, depression, addictions, or phobias, coaches are NOT trained to diagnose or treat these disorders. Individuals who believe they are suffering from a clinical condition such as depression should seek the attention of a therapist before or in combination to working with a guide.

What can I expect to get out of coaching?

A good guide will help you identify your strengths and your values. She will learn about your past without allowing you to dwell upon it. Instead of telling you what to do, she will push you with powerful questions until you yourself can no longer hide from the next step. Then, she will support you, as you courageously take those steps. She will not give up on you, nor will she let you fall back. But, if the circumstances require, she will put your goals on hold to address unexpected or urgent matters as life presents them.

Just as an Olympic athlete needs a coach to provide them with the tools to perform at their highest level, we too, need a guide to provide us with the tools, the steps, and the encouragement to perform at OUR highest level.