By Maha Magdy
A mental transformational journey to create new thinking patterns.
In the beginning of my journey studying neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), we were taught that the goal of a coaching session is to help coachees overcome whatever is hindering them or holding them back from achieving their goals.
At that time, we were taught many techniques to use for that purpose, and I thought that reframing the limiting idea or belief was the best coaching skill, and that it was enough to set a someone free from their restrictions. However, when I actually began my practical career as a life coach and started digging deep in the minds of people, I discovered that reframing a limiting idea or belief is good for solving a problem or achieving a goal, but that it is not enough for self-development and upgrading one’s life—which is the real goal of coaching.
When we reframe one limiting idea, we discover that another that takes its place because the mind is using the same thinking pattern. As a result, we need to lead clients in a mental transformational journey to create new thinking patterns to see their world from new perspectives.
I began reading many books on the subject, and, after engaging in deep coaching sessions with a resistant client who was close to me, I developed a structure for this mental transformational journey that I now consider my best coaching practice. It can guide us to help people train their minds to find new, positive, helpful meanings around events that they get stuck in, instead of continuing to process limiting ideas that need to be reframed. It takes great effort to get past resistance from a coachee’s mind, but—with enough patience and empathy—it offers great rewards.
The Process
This transformational journey has three main phases:
First Phase: The coach needs to listen empathetically to clients and dig deeply to discover the root cause of a thinking pattern. A coach must reach the clients’ soul to know the message being delivered through this pattern because unconscious thinking patterns root from the soul. When the soul gets wounded it begins to process negative emotions that lead to negative thinking. The negative emotions trapped within the soul block energy meridians, causing the mind to lose its flexibility and think in rigid, limiting patterns. These negative emotions carry messages from the wounded soul, and it’s our role as coaches to help clients understand the messages and respond in a helpful way.
Second Phase: After uncovering soul wounds, coaches need to help heal the soul through reframing the meaning of whatever caused the wounds, and then shift clients into new positive patterns that offer new hope for life. This is the most challenging and critical phase, and, as coaches, we need to convey great wisdom and have a strong rapport with clients for success.
Third Phase: When the soul begins to recover, it becomes open to embrace new perspectives, and we can help clients increase awareness to see and pursue new opportunities in life.
Dr. Maha Magdy is a pharmacist and health and wellness coach. She is an ICI certified Life Coach, Mindfulness Coach and Emotional Intelligence Coach who studied nutrition and holds a diploma in weight management from New Castle University in Australia. Maha also studied NLP; has a supplements advisor diploma and a sports nutrition advisor diploma from the Fabulous Body Academy in California; is a certified as a Health and Wellness Coach from Kilo Fit Academy in the United States; is a certified Mindfulness Coach from the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology; and a Certified Emotional Intelligence Coach from Transformation Academy. Contact her at: drmahamagdy@gmail.com.