Conclusion

Given the power and effectiveness of memory reconsolidation for generating sustained transformation, I predict that it will play a significant role in the future of coaching. To leverage memory reconsolidation, coaches must work in real-time with their client’s direct experience. The brain’s conditions for unlocking consolidated emotional learnings are not met by approaches centered on assessing clients and designing development plans that focus on counteractive practices to redirect existing responses. Such self-improvement methods are well-intentioned efforts to address apparent self-deficiencies but 1) don’t erase or edit existing emotional learnings, 2) evoke resistance from existing emotional learnings, 3) frequently generate relapses into well-established patterns of behavior, and therefore 4) often unintentionally reinforce the client’s sense of self-deficiency.

When the approach taken by the coach fulfills the brain’s conditions for memory reconsolidation, 1) existing emotional learnings are erased or edited in an effortlessly sustained manner, 2) the activation of resistance is eliminated or substantially reduced, 3) new emotional learnings, like new ways of being, are more easily established and embodied, and 4) the client deepens their sense of innate resourcefulness, creativity, and adaptive brilliance.

Aletheia Coaching has evolved to leverage memory reconsolidation in multiple synergistic ways.

Establishing self-unfolding as the aim for coaching engagements and conversations.

Attuning to real-time experience through a love of truth, beauty, and goodness for its own sake.

Working in real-time in the present moment with what is arising in direct experience somatically, emotionally, cognitively, relationally, and spiritually.

Leveraging the paradox of change through the core principle of letting be, letting unfold.

Leveraging the emergent properties of complex systems, including the natural process of unfolding expressed by all living organisms, including human beings.

Utilizing a seamless integration of Parts Work, Process Work, Presence Work, and Nondual Work which reactivates existing emotional learning and generates new experiences that produce partial or complete mismatches and creates new emotional learnings.

Coaches who want to integrate memory reconsolidation into their methodology must focus coaching conversations on 1) reactivating existing emotional learnings, 2) creating experiential mismatches through fresh experiences, and 3) erasing or editing these learnings. Doing this removes the obstacles to unfolding deeper self-contact and helps the client access and embody their innate resources for navigating the complexity they face in work and life.