Breaking Down Barriers: Why Trauma Awareness Matters In Coaching With Dr. Melissa Hankins

In this episode of The Health and Wellness Coach Journal podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh has the privilege of connecting with Dr. Melissa Hankins, the CEO and founder of Melissa Hankins Coaching, a coaching and consulting firm committed to helping physicians and leaders overcome burnout. Dr Hankins is a certified executive coach, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and trauma-informed Emotional Freedom Techniques (“tapping”) practitioner. 

Together, Dr. Singh and Dr. Hankins discuss the critical topic of trauma and its profound impact on human behavior and coaching practices. Dr. Hankins shares her journey from psychiatry to coaching, underscoring the importance of trauma awareness in fostering psychological safety and sustainable well-being. She emphasizes the importance for coaches to recognize their scope of practice and know when to refer clients to mental health professionals.

This episode offers valuable insights for coaches aiming to create empowering spaces for their clients, highlighting the delicate interplay between trauma awareness, trauma-informed practices, and the pursuit of holistic well-being.

For detailed show notes, including information to connect with Dr. Melissa Hankins, visit: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/blog/breaking-down-barriers-why-trauma-awareness-matters-in-coaching

To be notified of new episodes, subscribe here: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/stay-connected

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

1:32 - Dr. Hankin's Career Journey: Transformational Experiences, And Passion For Working With Trauma

14:01 - The Importance Of Trauma Awareness In Coaching

21:26 - Coach Scope Of Practice

24:52 -  What It Means To Be Trauma-Aware And Trauma-Informed As A Coach

31:10 - Takeaways

The Health and Wellness Coach Journal is a blog and podcast that shares valuable information for coaches related to health, wellness, and coaching. This is a resource designed to support coaches, discuss best practices, and cultivate a sense of community.

Join your host, Dr. Jessica Singh, MD, NBC-HWC, ACC, a Yale-trained emergency medicine physician who, after completing the first one-year physician wellness fellowship in physician wellness at Stanford University, transitioned careers to practice holistic health and wellness.

Through healing from her own burnout, Dr. Singh gained knowledge and experience in various holistic health and healing modalities, including yoga, Ayurveda, mind-body techniques, and coaching. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast, discussing topics such as advocacy for coaching to help bridge gaps in healthcare systems, professional fulfillment, integrative health practices, entrepreneurship, and more.

The podcast is provided by the Center for Health and Wellness Coaches. Our mission is to support the professional development of coaches through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advocacy for certification and standards of practice. For more information and content, visit our website: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/

New episodes are released monthly on the second Tuesday of each month. To be notified of new episodes, subscribe here: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/stay-connected

The Health and Wellness Coach Journal podcast is also available on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and Amazon.

• No. of episodes: 20
• Latest episode: 2025-06-10
• Education Health & Fitness Alternative Health

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