The moment that feels too big.
The emotion that doesn’t match the situation.
The breakdown after a simple conversation or a missed message.
You’ve probably heard it from a client:
“I don’t know why I reacted like that…”
“It wasn’t a big deal, but it felt like one…”
As a coach, you know something else is happening beneath the surface.
This is your opportunity to lean in—not to fix, but to listen and guide.
Because what they’re feeling isn’t just about that moment. It’s a trigger.
And the real transformation comes when you help them recognize:
The trigger isn’t the cause.
How to Identify Coaching Triggers and Underlying Beliefs
A trigger is something that activates an emotional or internal response. The spark.
It’s often tied to a perceived rejection, silence, shift, or moment of tension.
For example:
- Not being invited to a conversation
- Receiving critique on a project they cared about
- Feeling unseen, unacknowledged, or misunderstood
The coachable moment is not just about what. It’s about helping them understand the why.
Why did this matter so much? What’s the belief showing up underneath?
That’s not therapy. That’s clarity coaching.
How Coaches Can Address Triggers Without Crossing Into Therapy
You’re not here to unpack their past. You’re here to help them:
- Notice what’s happening
- Name the belief surfacing
- Invite the Holy Spirit into their response
- Make empowered, truth-aligned decisions moving forward
This is about helping them respond from identity, not insecurity.
Strategies for Coaching Through Emotional Triggers:
Here’s a coaching approach to guide clients when a trigger shows up. The goal is to be anchored in presence, discernment, and truth.
1. Pause the Pace
Say:
“Let’s take a moment to slow down—what’s coming up for you right now?”
Creating space honors the moment and invites peace over panic.
2. Name the Impact
Ask:
“What part of that moment felt heavy or unsettling?”
You’re helping them observe without judgment, which opens the door for gentle insight.
3. Identify the Belief
Ask:
“What did that moment make you believe about yourself?”
Follow with:
“Does that belief align with what God says about you?”
4. Reconnect to Identity
Say:
“Let’s return to truth—who does God say you are in this moment?”
When it feels right, you can pause and ask:
“Holy Spirit, what do You want her to remember right now?”
Types of Triggers Coaches Should Know and How to Respond
It’s helpful to remember that triggers aren’t always about people or conflict. They can be subtle, sensory, or tied to past experiences that surface unexpectedly.
Here are a few common categories:
Sensory Triggers: A smell, a song, or even a movie scene that stirs emotion
Situational Triggers: Being overlooked in a meeting or left out of a conversation
Spiritual Triggers: Hearing language that reminds a client of legalism or church hurt
You don’t need to unpack the history—you just need to help your client notice the moment and stay rooted in truth.
Want more examples? Download the full Types of Triggers Coaching Cheatsheet here.
Powerful Coaching Questions for Triggered Clients
What part of you felt unsteady in that moment?
What’s the story you’re telling yourself right now?
What would happen if you chose to trust God’s view over your perception?
How can you show up from alignment, not anxiety?
Bible Verses for Coaching Clients Through Emotional Moments
Proverbs 29:25 – “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
Galatians 1:10 – “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you…”
Helping Clients Heal Without Fixing Them
I am anchored in God’s truth, not people’s opinions.
I can show up whole, even when things feel uncertain.
I am not responsible for managing other people’s responses.
I release the need to perform for acceptance.
I lead from peace, not pressure.
This Is Your Ministry Too
Coaching isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
You don’t need to rescue your clients. You need to reflect what’s true.
When you help someone recognize a trigger and invite truth into the moment, you become a vessel for freedom.
Want more tools to support your clients and help you work smarter and not harder? Visit our HISentrepreneur Digital Marketplace.