Coaching vs. Trauma Therapy: Why Self-Made U Prioritizes Trauma-Informed Coaching for True Transformation

The Crucial Difference Between Coaching and Trauma Therapy at Self-Made U

At Self-Made U, we are passionate about helping individuals reach their goals through mindset shifts and personal transformation. However, one of the most important lessons we teach our certified coaches is understanding the difference between coaching and trauma therapy. As a coach, I’ve seen firsthand how unresolved trauma can impede a client’s progress, no matter how much mindset work we do. This is especially true for those with deep emotional wounds from childhood. We can’t expect someone to simply "think positively" or "push through" if they haven’t healed from past trauma. That’s why it’s so important to recognize when therapy, not coaching, is the next step. In this post, I’ll break down how we at Self-Made U ensure our coaches understand their scope and when to refer clients to trauma therapy.

Mindset Shifts Alone Won’t Heal Trauma

As coaches, we focus on mindset work—helping clients shift their thinking to create new results. However, for those with unresolved trauma, this approach can feel impossible. Take a client like John, who experienced emotional neglect as a child. He’s been told to focus on thinking positively and pushing through his discomfort, but it only increases his anxiety. According to the CDC, 61% of adults have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), which can significantly impact their mental health. When coaching clients like John, we recognize that mindset shifts won’t work until the underlying trauma is addressed. This is a key distinction we make with our certified coaches, ensuring they understand the importance of not bypassing trauma.

Healing First: Why Trauma Therapy Must Precede Coaching

Before our clients can make the most of coaching, they often need to heal past wounds through therapy. Take Emma, a client who was bullied in her youth and now struggles with self-worth in relationships. Her goals for personal confidence seem achievable at first, but every time she makes progress, she’s pulled back by deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. Studies show that unresolved trauma increases the risk of anxiety and depression by up to 70%. It’s clear that before Emma can fully engage in coaching, she needs to work through her trauma in therapy. We teach our certified coaches to identify "below baseline" scenarios and refer clients to therapists when necessary, ensuring they get the proper care and healing before tackling mindset work.

Emotional Safety is Essential for Progress

A fundamental truth we teach at Self-Made U is that emotional safety is non-negotiable for trauma survivors. I’ve worked with clients like Lisa, who survived a traumatic event and now struggles to regulate her emotions during coaching sessions. Coaching works best when clients are able to engage with their thoughts and emotions productively. But for clients like Lisa, feeling emotionally safe is the first step. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, emotional dysregulation is a major factor in PTSD. In therapy, Lisa can learn techniques to regulate her emotions, making her ready for coaching when the time comes. At Self-Made U, we train our coaches to prioritize emotional safety and recognize when a client’s trauma requires specialized care.

When Coaches Need to Refer to Therapists

One of the most important things we teach our coaches at Self-Made U is understanding the boundaries of coaching and when it’s time to suggest a client seek therapy. I’ve seen coaches, with clients struggling to make progress due to unresolved trauma from childhood abuse. Realizing that no amount of goal-setting or mindset work will help they help clients understand more effective next steps. The American Psychological Association reports that only 45% of coaches feel equipped to handle clients with trauma. That’s why we emphasize trauma-informed training and consultation at Self-Made U, so our coaches know when it’s time to collaborate with their clients and therapists or for the best possible outcomes.

Self-Made U's Commitment to Trauma-Informed Coaching

At Self-Made U, we’re deeply committed to ensuring our coaches understand the difference between coaching and trauma therapy. By becoming trauma-informed, we can guide clients toward the right resources at the right time, setting them up for long-term success. Trauma survivors deserve to heal in a safe and supportive environment before diving into mindset work. Our certified coaches are equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognize when therapy is needed, making sure we never overstep our scope and always serve our clients’ best interests. We believe that coaching, paired with appropriate therapeutic support, can lead to profound and lasting transformation. For more information on mindset coaching or a referral to trauma therapy, check out www.self-madeu.com