Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about use of self. This technique is all about being an active instrument of change within the coaching session. Think of yourself as a walking, talking, health-coaching Swiss Army knife—full of useful tools to use in the right situation.

Use of self refers to the coach using themselves or their own experience of being with the coachee as ‘data’ and communicating this data to deepen the coachee’s understanding. It’s about using your presence, your body language, expression, reactions, and your insights as valuable ‘information’ that can deepen your patient’s self-awareness. For example, it could be a statement or direct feedback to highlight a specific point e.g. “I’ve noticed when you talk about exercise you don’t enjoy these conversations as much. What do you think about that?”. Or it could be sharing your own emotions to help the coachee reflect on themselves e.g. “I’m feeling a sense of negativity compared to our previous sessions. What can you make sense of that?”

This technique involves a higher level of coaching maturity, as it requires you to be acutely aware of your own emotions while being fully present for your patient. You’re not just facilitating a conversation; you’re actively engaging in a dynamic relationship where both you and your patient can learn from one another and understand what outside the coach – coachee conversation can affect this relationship. I recommend reading about David Clutterbuck’s stages of coaching maturity to enhance your coaching proficiency.

When applying this technique, you need to be attuned to your own feelings in the moment and communicate those emotions to your patient when appropriate. If something they say resonates with you on a personal level, sharing that can create a powerful connection. It shows vulnerability and authenticity, reinforcing trust and encouraging coachee’s to explore their own feelings more deeply. However, sometimes this can also impact the coach – coachee relationship by affecting the boundaries you’ve set during contracting with your patient. Finding this right balance is key when using use of self and I’d recommend discussing this topic in coaching supervision to enhance your coaching practice.  

Wrapping It Up: Coaching with a Smile

So, there you have it—three engaging techniques to sprinkle into your health coaching toolkit. Remember, coaching isn’t just about leading clients to success; it’s also about enjoying the journey together, sharing a laugh, and making lifestyle changes feel a little less daunting. So, when in doubt—hold the silence, inquire about the positives rather than the negatives, and use yourself wisely… because sometimes the best coaching tool is just knowing when to zip it, sit back and smile!