Have you ever felt like something inside you was broken — but you couldn't quite explain why? You work hard. You show up. But deep down, something feels off. You snap at the people you love. You shrink in rooms where you should stand tall. You feel tired in a way that sleep doesn't fix.

A lot of people feel this way. And for many Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, there's a reason for it that goes deeper than stress or bad habits. It's called trauma — and it doesn't always look the way you think it does.

That's where trauma-informed coaching comes in. This type of coaching is changing lives across the country. It's helping people heal from the inside out — from workplace wounds, racial harm, broken relationships, and so much more.

One of the leaders in this space is Share the Flame LLC, based in Camas, Washington. Led by Dr. Debra “Debi” Jenkins, PhD, Share the Flame offers trauma-informed coaching, consulting, and speaking services rooted in social justice and cultural care. In this article, we’ll explain what trauma-informed coaching is, why it matters, and how it can help you or your organization heal and grow.

What Is Trauma-Informed Coaching?

Trauma-informed coaching is a way of helping people heal and grow that takes trauma seriously. It doesn't ignore your past. Instead, it understands how your past experiences — especially painful ones — can shape how you think, feel, and act today.

A regular life coach might help you set goals and push through challenges. But a trauma-informed coach goes deeper. They understand that what looks like "procrastination" or "being too sensitive" might actually be your nervous system trying to protect you from being hurt again.

Trauma-informed coaches are trained to see the whole person — not just your to-do list. They create a safe space where you can explore how your past has shaped your present. And they help you move forward without pushing through pain in a way that causes more harm.

It's important to know that trauma-informed coaching is not the same as therapy. Coaches do not diagnose or treat mental illness. Instead, they support your growth, help you build awareness, and walk with you as you create a healthier future.

Why Does It Matter for Black, Brown, and Indigenous Communities?

Trauma shows up differently depending on who you are and what you've been through. For Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, trauma often comes from places that most coaching programs don't even talk about.

Think about racial trauma — the stress and pain that comes from being treated unfairly because of the color of your skin. Or institutional harm, which happens when schools, workplaces, or government systems treat you as less than. Or even historical trauma, which is pain passed down through generations from events like slavery, colonization, and forced removal.

These kinds of trauma are real. They live in the body. They show up in how safe we feel at work, how we trust others, and how we see ourselves. And they often go unaddressed in spaces that weren't designed with us in mind.

Trauma-informed coaching that is also culturally responsive fills this gap. It doesn't ask you to explain your experience from scratch or justify your pain. It meets you where you are — in your full cultural identity — and walks alongside you toward healing.

What Can Trauma-Informed Coaching Help With?

People seek out trauma-informed coaching for many different reasons. Here are some of the most common:

•        Racial trauma and the stress of navigating systems that weren't built for you

•        Workplace harm, including being passed over, undervalued, or mistreated at work

•        Betrayal trauma from relationships — romantic, faith-based, or institutional

•        Burnout that comes from giving too much to others while neglecting yourself

•        Leadership challenges, especially for those navigating power and equity issues at work

•        Organizations and teams that want to become more equitable, healing-centered spaces

At Share the Flame LLC, Dr. Debi Jenkins works with individuals, groups, executives, educators, nonprofits, government agencies, and faith communities. Her work supports people at the crossroads of identity, trauma, and systemic harm — helping them move from survival to growth.

What Tools Does Trauma-Informed Coaching Use?

Not all trauma-informed coaches use the same methods. But the best ones draw from a toolbox of research-backed practices that help people feel safe, aware, and empowered. Here are a few that Dr. Debi uses at Share the Flame:   

Brainspotting — This is a powerful method that helps people locate and process trauma that is stored in the body. The idea is that where you look affects how you feel. Brainspotting uses eye position to find spots in your visual field that connect to stuck emotional pain, allowing you to release it safely.

Internal Family Systems (IFS) — IFS is a way of looking at the different "parts" of yourself. You might have a part that's always anxious, and another part that's angry, and another that feels like a child who never got the love they needed. IFS helps you understand and heal those parts from the inside.

Somatic Practice — The word "somatic" means body-based. Somatic coaching recognizes that trauma doesn't just live in your mind — it lives in your body too. Through breathing, movement, and body awareness, somatic practice helps release what words alone can't reach.

Mindfulness and Psychoeducation — Dr. Debi also uses mindfulness — the practice of being present and aware — along with psychoeducation, which means helping you understand how trauma works in the brain and body. When you know what's happening inside you, it's easier to change it.

These are not just trendy terms. They are tools that have helped real people heal from real pain. And in the hands of a skilled, culturally responsive coach like Dr. Debi, they become even more powerful.

Trauma-Informed Coaching for Organizations and Teams

Healing isn't just personal — it can be collective. Many organizations are realizing that the systems they've built can cause harm to the very people they serve, or to their own staff.

That's why Share the Flame LLC also works with organizations. Whether it's a nonprofit, a church, a school, or a corporation, Dr. Debi helps teams look honestly at how their culture and structure may be causing harm — and then helps them build something better.

This work includes JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) training, anti-bias frameworks, systems change consulting, and healing-centered facilitation. It's not about checking a box. It's about creating real, lasting change that people actually feel.

To explore more Black-owned coaching professionals in Washington State who are doing powerful transformation work, check out this SBO Discoveries feature on elite Black-owned coaches in Washington.

Why Choose a Culturally Responsive Coach?

There's a difference between a coach who is trauma-informed and one who is also culturally responsive. A culturally responsive coach understands that your race, culture, and identity are not separate from your trauma — they're central to it.

Dr. Debi Jenkins is an award-winning social justice trauma coach. She holds a doctorate in philosophy (PhD), a master's degree in psychology, and an ICF (International Coaching Federation) credential. She is one of the few coaches mentioned in Psychology Today. She's been featured at conferences and summits, and her clients include individuals, community organizations, libraries, and faith communities.

What sets her apart isn't just her credentials. It's the way she shows up. Former clients describe her as someone who is warm, knowledgeable, funny, and deeply committed to meeting people where they are.

You can learn more about Share the Flame LLC and connect with Dr. Debi through their SBO profile. Sessions are offered virtually, making them accessible to clients across the United States and globally.

What Healing Can Look Like

Trauma-informed coaching doesn't promise a quick fix. Healing is a process, and it looks different for everyone. But many people report real, lasting changes after working with a trauma-informed coach.

They start to understand why they react the way they do. They feel safer in their bodies. They stop carrying so much guilt and shame. They begin to set healthy boundaries at work and in relationships. They show up as better leaders, parents, partners, and community members.

As Dr. Debi has said: hurt people hurt people — but healed people heal people. When you invest in your own healing, you change not just your life, but the lives of everyone around you.

Take the First Step Toward Healing

If any part of this article resonated with you, that's worth paying attention to. You don't have to keep carrying what you've been carrying alone. Trauma-informed coaching — especially from a culturally responsive, justice-rooted coach — can help you find your way forward.

Share the Flame LLC offers a free 15-minute consultation to help you explore whether coaching is right for you. Visit shareflame.com to learn more, or find them on the Support Black Owned directory. This listing was discovered through the SmartBoost editorial program, which highlights exceptional Black-owned businesses across the country.

The flame of healing is already inside you. Share the Flame can help you let it burn.

Charles Injury Law

Charles Injury Law is a law firm that provides personal injury and…

 Attorney

Smith Bookkeeping Financial Services LLC

At Smith Bookkeeping Financial Services, we assist our tax clients…

 Tax professional

Contact

To:

Message:

First name

Last name

E-mail address

Phone

Send me a copy

By clicking or tapping 'Send', I agree with the Terms & Conditions and to receive calls and text messages.

Cancel Next

Back Send