Common Thread Coaching

Regarding the difficult task for coaching clients to change thoughts, beliefs and paradigms in order to take new action, the following is one way to present a new perspective, and the steps to get there. Originally formulated by Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz for OCD patients at UCLA, they also appear to work with people who have trouble with every-day “automatic thoughts” that are habitual reactions to events, and thus keep them from new thoughts, behaviors, and actions.A client has had an extremely hard time with this problem of ‘automatic thoughts’ taking over. She tried these four steps the other day and reported back that by consciously taking the four steps, she prevented old behavior from starting (arguing with a family member) and the end result was that she felt she had accomplished something, and taken a positive step towards breaking away from old thoughts and behavior. She also noted it wasn’t easy, in fact it was very difficult, but “worth it.”

The phrases in bold are ones I substituted and/or added when presenting these steps, as the original four steps are oriented toward OCD patients, not coaching clients. The phrases in (…) are my notes about the source of each step that Dr. Schwartz identifies in his book, The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force .

1. “Relabel obsession/compulsions [thoughts, or 'brain noise'] as false signals” (verified through PET scans and fMRIs of brain activity);
2. “Reattribute thoughts and urges to pathological [habitual and no longer useful] brain circuitry, not a real need” (again, verified through brain scans);
3. “Refocus and turn attention away from pathological thoughts [old, continuous thoughts] and urges onto a constructive [and/or pleasurable, i.e. take a walk...] behavior” (cognitive change);
4. “Revalue by realizing that the pathological thoughts and urges have no intrinsic value and no inherent power” [they are just 'brain noise'] (from the Buddhist tradition and mindfulness meditation). (as cited in The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force, Schwartz & Begley, 2002, p. 14).

Another client found the 4 Steps very helpful in a visit with her family. “I was able to identify and understand my passivity and panic around “familial discord” and my tendency to go into rescue mode (Relabel). I also recognized a pattern of family collusion to make one family member the scapegoat (Reattribute). I disconnected from the drama and exercised clear communication with family members (Refocus). I had a strength and clarity, felt better about the entire situation and feel I used my true voice. This has led to a newfound ‘inner trust’ that is informing my creative work and my family life (Revalue).”

Copyright © 2007 Nancy G. Shapiro