Witnessing Grief is a groundbreaking book authored by Holly Margl that delves deep into the complex topic of grief and provides invaluable insights for coaches and helping professionals. This article explores the book’s three parts, highlighting its significance and the practical application of its content. With a focus on conscious presence, self-exploration, and genuine support, Witnessing Grief equips coaches with the tools to navigate the challenging waters of loss, trauma, and grief with their clients.

Part I: Meeting Grief

The book’s first part sets the foundation by defining and examining grief itself. Holly Margl explores how individuals navigate the path of grief and offers guidance on understanding and accompanying clients through their sorrow. By providing a deeper understanding of grief, coaches can foster a safe and supportive space for their clients to express and process their emotions.

Part II: Using the Enneagram

In Part II, Holly Margl introduces the Enneagram, a robust system that offers a broad overview of nine dominant biases that filter our experiences. By utilizing the wisdom of the Enneagram, coaches gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the lens through which they view the world. This introspective exploration enables coaches to better serve their clients by creating a safe space for them as they navigate the complexities of loss, trauma, and grief. The Enneagram serves as a valuable tool for self-awareness and enhancing the coaching process.

Part III: Putting It in Action

The third part of the book focuses on practical application. These chapters take the knowledge gained from Parts I and II and provide actionable strategies for coaches to navigate real-life scenarios involving grief, trauma, and loss. Holly Margl emphasizes the importance of conscious presence in coaching conversations, ensuring coaches fully engage and respond to their client’s needs. The application-oriented approach equips coaches with the skills necessary to support their clients throughout the grief process effectively.

Application-Oriented Approach:

Witnessing Grief goes beyond merely providing theoretical knowledge; it offers specific elements to enhance the reader’s experience and understanding of grief psychology concepts. Throughout the book, inspirational quotes are interwoven to provide further support and reinforce the content of each chapter. The “Consider This” and “Pause and Reflect” passages also prompt readers to engage in active inquiry and contemplation, fostering self-exploration and presence.

Closing Inquiries at the end of each chapter challenge readers to think beyond their existing perspectives and expand their awareness of the chapter’s topic. The Epilogue, titled “You Can Do More Than Imagine,” addresses common fears and pitfalls that coaches may encounter when navigating complex and distressing trauma, loss, and grief conversations. These elements

ensure that the book offers practical guidance and support for coaches at every stage of their professional development.

Genuine Stories and Narratives:

Witnessing Grief includes raw and heart-wrenching stories of trauma and loss. While these stories are based on factual accounts, modifications have been made to ensure anonymity and confidentiality. Chapter 9 is particularly noteworthy, as it presents several coach-client scenarios that further enhance the reader’s understanding and application of the concepts discussed in Parts I and II. Each scenario illustrates a presenting topic expressed in the client’s own words, followed by a typical grief process coach response. Holly Margl then offers potential revisions to these responses, highlighting more helpful approaches for distressed clients. These revisions align with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Coaching Competencies, emphasizing the importance of proficient coaching standards.

Witnessing Grief by Holly Margl is an invaluable resource for coaches and helping professionals seeking to support individuals through their grief journeys. The book’s three parts offer a comprehensive understanding of loss and grief and practical application strategies of the Enneagram.