Navigating the Storm: Coaching Through Personal Dysregulation

Coaching is built on empathy, insight, and a commitment to helping others grow. But what happens when you, the coach, feel emotionally or mentally dysregulated? It’s a challenge many of us face yet rarely talk about.

As coaches, we often strive to hold space for others, even when our inner world feels unsettled. It can feel like a tightrope walk—balancing professionalism with authenticity. However, moments of dysregulation are not failures but reminders of our humanity.

When these moments arise, consider these steps:

• Pause and Reflect: Before stepping into a coaching session, take a moment to check in with yourself. What’s driving your feelings? Name it, acknowledge it, and give yourself grace.
• Lean on Support: You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a mentor, or a therapist, seeking support is a strength, not a weakness.
• Practice Transparency (When Appropriate): While your client’s needs come first, a gentle acknowledgment like, “I’m a bit off today but fully here for you,” can build trust and model emotional resilience.
• Create a Ritual for Regulation: Grounding exercises, a brisk walk, or journaling before sessions can help bring you back to the center.

Remember, your work as a coach isn’t diminished by your humanity—it’s enriched by it. When you show up with compassion for yourself, you’re modeling the very growth and resilience you encourage in your clients.



We’re all in this together, growing, evolving, and learning. Keep going. Your clients don’t need you to be perfect—they need you to be present.

Submitted by,

Rasheeda Coston, Director of Coaching rascos@pakeys.org   

Barb Willier, Coaching Coordinator, barwil@pakeys.org 

The Pennsylvania Key   

A portion of the content in this article was generated with the assistance of AI technology. While the AI system has contributed to the writing process, the final output has been reviewed and edited by human editors to ensure accuracy and quality.