HCA Talks Health
Trauma-Informed Coaching for Health Coaches
Joanna Harper on client support & safe practice
Published: 30th May 2025
What does it really mean to be a trauma-informed coach, and how can it transform your client work as a Health Coach?
In this episode of HCA Talks Health, host Zena le Roux is joined by Joanna Harper, British Integrative Master Coach, trainer, and author of The Trauma-Informed Coach. Joanna shares how Health Coaches can create safer spaces, recognise when trauma may be blocking progress, and stay within scope while supporting clients effectively.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The 10 core competencies of trauma-informed coaching
How to respond when a client discloses trauma
Why regulating your own state as a Health Coach is essential
The difference between trauma-informed and trauma-skilled coaching
When and how to safely refer clients to other professionals
Whether you’re a qualified Health Coach or just starting your journey, this episode will introduce you to some valuable strategies to support clients with compassion, clarity, and confidence.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Joanna’s journey into trauma-informed coaching
02:00 – Early client experiences & the ACE Study
05:00 – Why clients get “stuck” and how trauma plays a role
07:00 – The 10 core competencies of trauma-informed coaching
10:00 – Boundaries, scope of practice & safe disclosure
13:00 – Psychoeducation & client empowerment
18:00 – Safeguarding, referral & professional networks
21:00 – Strengths-based coaching in trauma contexts
23:00 – Continuous training & professional development
27:00 – Regulating your state as a Health Coach
30:00 – Risks of re-traumatisation & what to avoid
33:00 – Defining trauma & recognising generational trauma
37:00 – Growth, resilience & flourishing despite adversity
40:00 – Somatic coaching, integrative approaches & case studies
47:00 – Knowing when to stop coaching and refer
49:00 – Joanna’s training programmes & upcoming book
52:00 – Final thoughts & closing
Joanna Harper – Trauma-Informed Coach
Joanna Harper is an experienced Therapist, British Integrative Master Coach, and Certified Master Trainer and Facilitator. She specialises in coaching clients who have experienced trauma or loss, helping them find peace and acceptance: a passion born from her own journey through a serious health condition. She brings compassion, experience, and depth of knowledge to every session, with a strength-focused approach that always keeps the client in the driving seat.
With a warm, fun-loving personality and a passion for excellence, Joanna brings her training to life with practical applications and real case studies that make complex theory simple and accessible. She holds a Master's degree in Transforming Integrated Health and Social Care, is a NLP Master Practitioner, and has developed 10 core competencies for trauma-informed coaching.
Based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, Joanna delivers trauma-informed courses in Coaching, NLP, IEMT, and BBM, including her signature Trauma-Informed Coach Training. She is the author of The Trauma-Informed Coach: Strategies to Support Clients When Their Past Prevents Progress.
When encouraging Health Coaches in their practice, Joanna shares that "acknowledging the fact that you might be the first person they’ve ever trusted to tell something is very key here.”
Joanna’s book is available on Takealot, Amazon and other online retailers.
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If this episode resonated with you, listen to Elaine Wilkins share more on Trauma Informed Wellbeing, discussing fatigue, ME and Fibromyalgia. If you are curious about the relationship between neuroscience and health transformation, join Lisa Glaister on discussing Rewiring the Mind.
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