Debbie Clarke’s journey into personal development and coaching was profoundly shaped by her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 27.
Facing a turning point, she embarked on a path of self-discovery, which led her to a transformative workshop called “The Journey.” As she navigated through her own healing, transitioning from a social worker on medical leave to a dedicated practitioner, she discovered her true calling. This profound personal transformation not only alleviated her physical ailments but also ignited a passion for helping others uncover their inner wisdom and achieve their goals.
Debbie shared her inspiring story and approach to coaching in an exclusive interview with MysticMag.
What motivated you to start your journey in personal development and coaching?
When I was 27 years old, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I spent many years in denial, pushing forward despite my illness. Eventually, I embarked on a path of self-discovery, reading self-help books, and felt divinely guided to something called “The Journey.” Attending a weekend workshop, I immediately felt my life begin to change.
From there, I decided to pursue the entire practitioner program. At the time, I was a social worker on medical leave due to the physical demands of my job and the stress it entailed. I saw this as an opportunity to find a new way to help clients while also healing myself.
Initially, I was focused on my new career path, but I found that I was healing in the process. At the height of my illness, I was taking 40 pills a week to manage my arthritis. Slowly, as I healed, I was able to wean off all medications and have been medication-free for years.
This journey not only healed me physically but also helped me navigate personal challenges. My long-term relationship, which had been drifting apart, ended amicably, allowing us to remain friends. I found my voice, my purpose, and my passion through this process.
In summary, my journey in personal development and coaching began as a quest to heal myself, which led me to discover a deeper calling to help others.
Can you describe your approach to helping clients achieve their goals?
Yes, my approach involves working one-on-one with clients to help them find their inner wisdom and connection. Many of us are not taught how to identify and process emotions or understand who we are and how we are wired. So, my work starts with helping clients connect with themselves and realize where they are in their journey.
Some clients have a clear idea of what they want to achieve, while others only know what they want to move away from. For example, I knew I didn’t want an unhealthy relationship or to be sick anymore, but I didn’t know what I wanted instead. This is a common starting point for many people.
In our sessions, I emphasize being gentle and kind to oneself. Society often teaches us that being strict and rigid leads to productivity and achievement, but the opposite is true. Our bodies respond better to softness and kindness.
Clients sometimes just want to talk and have a safe space to share things they’ve never told anyone. I provide a compassionate, secure environment where they can discuss their thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment. Bringing these issues to light reduces their intensity, much like the concept of the boogeyman in the closet losing its power when exposed.
Additionally, I use a method called “The Journey,” which involves guided introspection to connect with one’s body wisdom. Our bodies can guide us to where we need to go and reveal our true selves. This process helps clients reconnect with their mind, body, and soul, understanding the purpose of their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. It reintroduces them to the truth and goodness of who they are, uncovering their innate gifts and qualities.
In summary, my approach is about creating a safe, compassionate space for clients to explore their inner world, guiding them gently towards self-discovery and helping them reconnect with their true selves.
How do you integrate creativity into your coaching methods?
With the Journey method and accessing one’s inner wisdom, creativity plays a vital role. Each person is unique, much like snowflakes here in Canada, where no two are alike. This uniqueness requires a creative approach tailored to each individual.
In my coaching, creativity emerges in the interactions and responses. Each session is different because it’s guided by the client’s needs and what shows up for them in that moment. I once had a client describe this work as feeling like they were in the driver’s seat, which captures the essence of my approach. It’s not about me dictating what to do but about exploring together what is present for the client today.
For instance, we might explore where they feel certain emotions in their body or recall past experiences associated with those feelings. This process is inherently creative, as it adapts to what the client brings to the session. There is no script; it’s a dynamic interaction where I respond to their unique circumstances.
If a client encounters a block, I creatively find ways to help them move forward. This might involve using imaginative techniques, like visualizing a key to unlock a door within themselves. This approach encourages both the client’s and my own creativity in finding new perspectives and solutions.
In summary, creativity in my coaching methods is about being adaptive and responsive to each client’s unique journey. It’s about guiding them to discover their inner wisdom in a way that feels authentic and personalized, fostering a space where both they and I can explore creatively.
What are some common challenges your clients face and how do you help them overcome these?
Over the years, I’ve worked with a variety of clients facing different challenges. Many struggle with physical issues, which resonates with my own experience. Others face difficulties in choosing themselves, knowing who they are, and understanding what they want. A common theme is staying small, often stemming from shyness or the desire to remain hidden and not draw attention to themselves.
For many, these issues are rooted in early life experiences where they were told to be quiet, not show off, or avoid being too big or loud. These messages can create cellular memories—strong emotions locked in our cells that influence our behavior until we revisit and heal these memories.
My approach to helping clients overcome these challenges involves guided introspection to uncover and address these cellular memories. For example, we might revisit a memory from childhood where they were told to stay small. By examining these memories from the perspective of their current age, they can see the misunderstanding and limited perspective they had as a child.
We use techniques like visualizing a key to unlock these cellular memories, revisiting the emotions and understanding them from a place of safety and wisdom. This process can involve imagining conversations with those who influenced these beliefs, exploring their motivations, and offering forgiveness and understanding.
By doing this work, clients can rewire their brains and release these old patterns. They learn to recognize when they put others first or feel the urge to stay small. The ongoing practice involves growing awareness and making different choices based on this new understanding.
In summary, I help clients by guiding them to uncover and heal their past experiences, allowing them to move beyond old limitations and make empowering choices in their lives.
Can you share a transformative experience you’ve had with a client?
Yes, I’m glad you asked this question because it gave me time to reflect on my experiences with clients. Often, people see me and I don’t always get follow-up feedback immediately. However, when clients do share their transformations, it’s incredibly rewarding.
One client recently told me that he had always struggled with speaking up due to fear of upsetting others and avoiding conflict. He kept his opinions to himself and didn’t want to stir things up. After working together, he realized he could safely start expressing his thoughts. Hearing this made me so happy because it demonstrated the essence of this work—realizing what no longer serves us and breaking down barriers to genuine connection.
Another example is a client who was dealing with relationship issues and discovered that his knee, which was slated for surgery, no longer needed it. Similarly, I worked with someone on overcoming phobias, such as a fear of bees and wasps, and they no longer had a phobic response.
I also had a session with a friend of a friend who was going through a very difficult time. He later reported that the session felt like it saved his life. These experiences range from subtle shifts to significant life changes, and each one is deeply meaningful.
In summary, the transformative experiences my clients share, whether subtle or profound, highlight the impact of this work and the importance of helping individuals overcome their challenges and connect more authentically with themselves and others.
What advice do you have for someone looking to start their personal development journey?
First of all, embarking on a personal development journey can profoundly change your life. It transformed my health, how I show up in the world, and my relationships. From my experience and that of my clients, it’s a path well worth taking.
One crucial piece of advice is to find the modality, technique, or resources that you feel safe and comfortable with. Everyone is different; some people might not want to talk about their feelings or delve into their emotions deeply. It’s important to try different approaches and see what resonates with you. The key is to feel a sense of safety and connection with the method or practitioner you choose.
Even if you start on your own, begin by asking yourself how you can be more kind and gentle with yourself. Set an intention to slow down, reflect more, and listen to your body. Many of us live in our heads and forget about the connection to our body and soul. We’ve been taught to think our way through problems and to be hard on ourselves, especially if others have been hard on us.
So, start by setting an intention to treat yourself with kindness and gentleness. Accept yourself as you are and look at who you are and how you are wired with curiosity instead of judgment. This shift in perspective can be the foundation of your personal development journey.
Find out more at: www.debbieclarke.ca
