The Embodiment Coaching Podcast 760. Coaching In The Presence Of Trauma: Boundaries, Confidence & Ethics - With Julia Vaughan Smith
Mar 17, 2026
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Trauma Is Often Developmental And Common
- Trauma is widespread and often comes from developmental experiences from conception through childhood, not only obvious abuse.
- Julia Vaughan Smith stresses coaches must recognise developmental trauma's prevalence because it often shows up in coaching as defensive strategies or dysregulation.
Defensive Strategies Protect Not Sabotage
- Trauma commonly shows up as defensive strategies that stop clients doing agreed changes and appear illogical.
- These strategies protect safety; Julia warns against treating them as 'baddies' to be removed because they'll simply double down.
Clarify Your Coaching Scope And Keep CPD
- Be crystal clear about your coaching modality and scope so anxiety doesn't push you outside it.
- Julia Vaughan Smith recommends grounding in your approach, continuing CPD and supervision to stay competent with trauma-aware clients.
