Coaching Model: MORPH Life Atlas

A Coaching Model Created by Kylie Johnstone
(Health and Wellness Coaching, AUSTRALIA)

Introduction

The MORPH Life Atlas is both the model of coaching undertaken by MORPH Complete Wellness, and an interactive coaching tool which actively engages clients in a reflective, cognitive, and kinaesthetic process of exploration and discovery during coaching sessions.

The MORPH Life Atlas is based on three key principles:

1. Health and wellbeing are holistic concepts which are dynamically influenced by a broad range of cognitive, physiological, emotional, behavioural, spiritual, interpersonal and environmental factors
2. Health and wellbeing are personally defined and constructed concepts, experienced and interpreted uniquely by each individual
3. Health and wellbeing are resources for living, and not just ends in themselves. Their enjoyment supports human potential, the achievement of life goals, and quality of life generally

The MORPH Life Atlas is a physical tool designed to be used by clients during their coaching sessions to support them consciously navigate their own explorative and developmental process. This process commences early in the coaching session, when the client is invited to turn the cog, locating themselves and their chosen area for discussion within the Atlas. This occurs via two steps:

1. The client identifies the Domain (one of the 6 broad axis) or Sub-Domain (found on the circumference of the cog) that they wish to discuss
2. The client identifies their Present and Desired States in relation to the Domain (The seven “A words” surrounding the cog)

From here, clients share their thoughts, feelings and perspectives about their identified Domain and State, and an explorative coaching conversation unfolds. With powerful listening and questioning, the client often finds themselves transitioning from one Domain to another, as the interrelationships between them are exposed and the client’s personal and situational awareness increases.  The client may also witness themselves manoeuvring the Atlas Cog, as they process and shift toward their expressed Desired State, or toward another unanticipated State.  As they move through various Atlas configurations, the client is encouraged to reflect on and celebrate their process and progress.

Life Domains

The Life Atlas offers six domains which are commonly associated with holistic definitions of health and wellbeing. These domains are also purposefully broad enough to be inclusive of most topics likely to arise, and can be interpreted as literal, abstract or symbolic representations of the client’s topic of choice.

The domains are as follows:

• Self Care
• Spirit
• Interpersonal Relationships
• Resources
• Life Purpose
• Places

  Further to these Domains, more specific Sub-Domains have been offered as example subjects that clients may choose to focus on during their coaching sessions.

  The example Sub-Domains are:

  Self Care	Spirit	Relationships	Purpose	Resources	Places
  Food	Mindfulness	Family	Career	Finances	Home
  Movement	Fun	Friends	Contribution	Time	Workplace
  Balance	Faith	Lovers	Sport	People	Community
  Me Time	Meaning	Colleagues	Hobby	Services	Environment

  Seven States

  The Seven States which circle the cog on the MORPH Life Atlas provide an opportunity for the client to reflect on where they currently see themselves in relation to their specified Domain or Sub-Domain, to acknowledge their Desired State, and set their intentions for realizing that State within or across coaching sessions.

  Importantly, the Seven States are not designed for the linear progression from Awareness to Actualization. Rather, the client may find themselves identifying with any of the Seven States in their present moment, and in relation to any of the Domains. Similarly, clients may choose to progress toward any State they wish to prioritise within or across coaching session.

  The Seven States are as follows:

  1.     Awareness

  During Awareness, the client is focussed on becoming conscious of their: circumstances; values; desires; priorities; thoughts; beliefs; feelings; behaviours; strengths; and saboteurs.  At this stage, the client is engaged in exploration and discovery

  2.     Acceptance

  During Acceptance, the client is focussed on non-judgement of themselves, of others, and of situations they are experiencing or witnessing.  At this stage the client is engaged in observation

  3.     Aspiration

  During Aspiration, the client is focussed on the acknowledgment and expression of the desire for change. At this stage, the client is engaged in visioning and intending

  4.     Alignment

  During Alignment, the client is focussed on achieving congruence between values, beliefs, thoughts, desires, intentions and behaviours, and reconciling discordance. At this stage, the client is engaged in integrating and awakening

  5.     Affirmation

  During Affirmation, the client is focussed on the expression and fortification of serving beliefs and intentions. At this stage the client is engaged in committing and embodying

  6.     Action

  During Action, the client is focussed on the planning and enactment of commitments to self. At this stage the client is focussed on acting and creating

  7.     Actualization

  During Actualization, the client is focussed on recognising progress and acknowledging themselves for manifesting intentions. During this stage the client is engaged in recognizing and celebrating.