Debunking the Myths of Energy & Intuitive Work in Coaching

A good while ago, I found myself in a car with three new colleagues, driving to a conference centre. None of us knew the exact route, and none of us had a map. At the first major crossing, the driver hesitated, unsure of which direction to take. Without missing a beat, my colleague, who worked in a creative position, confidently announced, "I know! My gut tells me it's to the right!"

I was flabbergasted. Back then, I lived largely by left brain, or so my left brain thought, and I simply couldn’t fathom how someone could trust their gut feeling when choosing a direction out of seemingly equal alternatives. It felt random, almost reckless.

This moment has stayed with me. Nowadays, having the information that I have, it serves as a reminder that intuition is not irrational. It is another dimension of intelligence, one that works alongside logic to help us navigate the world, sometimes literally. As science continues to explore the neural networks of the brain, gut, and heart, this highlights how intuition is deeply rooted in our physiology, reinforcing why my colleague's gut feeling that day was more than "just a hunch".

Energy work and intuition in coaching often get dismissed as "woo-woo" or unscientific. Many assume that if something isn’t measurable by conventional methods we currently know, it must be unreliable. Others believe that intuitive approaches lack structure or accountability.

But what if these assumptions are myths rather than facts?

In this article, I’ll tackle some of the biggest misconceptions about energy and intuitive work in coaching and explain how these approaches, when used responsibly, can be valuable tools for transformation. The differentiation between intuition and energy work as presented here is based on my way of working, and other coaches may define these concepts differently depending on their methods and perspectives.

Myth #1: Energy Work in Coaching is Just Mysticism

One of the most common misconceptions of energy-assisted coaching is that it’s purely based on mysticism or lacks tangible impact. While some approaches lean heavily on esoteric traditions (which have their own value and significance), many forms of energy work are rooted in well-documented psychological and physiological principles.

For example:

• Grounding techniques affect the nervous system and help regulate stress responses (Chevalier, 2015).
• Embodiment practices enhance self-awareness and decision-making by improving the mind-body connection (Glenberg, 2010).
• Enhanced interoception (perception of internal signals from the body),  more specifically, can help in making better decisions, judged by the persons themselves (Gregory, 2024).

Rather than being mystical, energy awareness in coaching can simply mean working with how a client feels, processes emotions, and responds energetically to situations—whether through body language, intuition, or subconscious cues.

Myth #2: Intuition Has No Place in Coaching

Research suggests that intuition can be seen as a way of acquiring information at an enormous capacity and forming the basis of thinking together with reasoning. (Raami, 2015)

• Studies on the gut-brain connection show that intuitive "gut feelings" are real physiological responses to accumulated knowledge and experience. (Holzer, 2017)
• Experts in high-pressure fields (e.g., firefighters, surgeons, business leaders) often rely on intuition to make quick, accurate decisions. (Salas, Rosen & DiazGranados, 2010).
• Cognitive psychology suggests that intuition can help experts and professionals - such as coaches and their clients - make better decisions by for example recognising patterns and  managing uncertainity (Klein, 2004).

When used ethically, intuition in coaching isn’t about making wild assumptions—it’s about noticing subtle cues, asking the right questions, and guiding clients to their own insights.

What we now call coach's intuition can also be understood as heightened body awareness—the ability to detect subtle changes in skin conductance, for example. This enhanced sensitivity enables coaches to interpret those physiological shifts in their clients more effectively, thereby facilitating intuitive decision-making. (Bradley et al, 2008).

Myth #3: Energy & Intuitive Work Can’t Have Scientific Grounding

This idea is outdated. While these approaches have historically been difficult to quantify, modern research is catching up.

Consider these findings:

• Studies on mirror neurons reveal how humans naturally "tune into" others' emotions and energy, (Heyes & Catmur, 2021). This phenomena can possibly partly explain one of my specialty areas, "unwillingly absorbing" others' emotions.
• Research on the mind-body connection, including studies on expectation and neurophysiological responses, demonstrates how anticipation and belief can modulate brain activity, affecting perception (Hird et al., 2019). These studies support the role of intention, awareness, and energetic alignment in coaching by showing that consciously shaping internal states can lead to measurable cognitive and physiological outcomes. This further supports the role of intention, awareness, and energetic alignment in coaching results.
• Positive psychology research supports the impact of for example visualization, intention setting, and emotional coherence on well-being and goal attainment (Haverman et al., 2013).

In coaching, this means that working with energy and intuition doesn’t replace evidence—it complements it. By understanding both structured methodologies and intuitive insights, coaches can create more profound, client-centered transformations.

Myth #4: The Brain is the Only Source of Intelligence

Some people still believe that all decision-making and intelligence stem purely from the brain. However, emerging research shows that the gut and heart also contain neural networks that play a role in processing information and decision-making. 

• The brain has approximately 100 billion neurons, but it does not function in isolation.
• The gut contains around 100,000 neurons, forming the enteric nervous system, often called the "second brain."
• The heart has about 40,000 neurons, which communicate with the brain and influence emotional processing, intuition, and decision-making. 

Studies in neurocardiology and neurogastroenterology reveal that the brain, heart, and gut are in constant communication through the vagus nerve. This network exchanges signals that shape decision-making, emotional regulation, and intuitive processing (summed up in article by Keer, 2024).

As seen above, research suggests that this intricate network enables the body to detect and interpret subtle cues, reinforcing intuition as an adaptive, physiological function, exchanging critical information about emotions, stress responses, and insights. I dare say that intuition isn’t just ‘feeling’ something—it’s the result of complex neural processing that integrates multiple sources of intelligence.

What Does a Coaching Session Using Intuitive Methods Look Like?

A coaching session incorporating intuitive methods is structured yet fluid, allowing both measurable outcomes and deep inner alignment for the client. Here’s how it works:

1️⃣ An overarching goal or programme: Each client engagement is framed within a larger goal, such as “Creating Resilient, Trustworthy Energetic Boundaries.” (In the case of "absorbing others' emotions, for example. )The results are measured, albeit subjectively, ensuring tangible progress.

2️⃣ Each session has a specific goal: Every session is designed with a clear, articulated objective, which is also measured to track growth and effectiveness.

3️⃣ Using intuition to define goals & methods: The client is guided in tapping into their intuition to:

• Formulate their overarching goal.
• Set a focus for each session.
• Explore personalised methods to best achieve those goals.

4️⃣ Alignment with inner strengths & beliefs: The process ensures that the client’s goals and actions align with their core beliefs and personal sources of strength, allowing them to experience flow while achieving their objectives.

Note: This is my take on integrating intuition into coaching. Other coaches may approach it differently, but most will agree—intuition is an integral part of the coaching process.

Final Thoughts: Bringing Science & Intuition Together

Coaching isn’t about choosing between science and intuition—it’s about integrating the best of both.

When applied responsibly:

 ✅ Energy work can help clients regulate emotions and deepen self-awareness. 

✅ Intuition can enhance coaching conversations by picking up on non-verbal cues and deeper client patterns. 

✅ Evidence-based practices provide structure and measurable outcomes.

Rather than dismissing energy and intuition as "unscientific," we should ask: How can we use these tools effectively, ethically, and in a way that is empowering? 

By integrating structured methodologies with intuitive insights, coaches can create deeper, client-centred transformations. When used responsibly, intuition complements evidence-based techniques, providing a holistic approach that aligns actions with inner wisdom and measurable success.

What are your thoughts? Let’s discuss in the comments! And yes, we did get to the conference centre, without detours. My creative colleague was absolutely right.