“I have found the Eight Tensions training a thoroughly enjoyable experience as well as one of deep learning. The whole training is well organised, packaged and delivered, from the beautiful workbook and cards to the delivery, break out groups and coaching practice. It is comprehensive and enjoyable. The training is very applied and practical whilst not losing any of the theoretical base.
The existential background and the tensions both add such richness to my thinking and my practice. I feel I have a framework and a language in which to create some structure in an area that can feel otherwise quite abstract and diffuse. I do a lot of work in the area of meaning and purpose as well as exploring existential angst and becoming so this is a perfect philosophy and framework to anchor and guide coaching exploration in these areas. It has definitely added enormous value to my coaching.”

“The Eight Tensions is a useful tool to take clients to a deeper level of awareness and enable them to self assess relating to feelings and behaviours that they would like to understand and change. The Eight Tensions model fits well into my coaching work generally and the language of the tensions fits well into most conversations that I have with clients. Learning how to work with the tensions has enhanced my coaching toolkit. The structure of the course worked well for me. I liked the conversational approach with reflection and practice in between sessions.”

“I have really enjoyed getting to understand the Eight Tensions framework and can see it as a great tool to use within coaching.The workbook serves as a resource to continue to review and reflect on post training. The ongoing support and networking available to help with further development is an added bonus. Natalie gave a lot of flexibility with having the option of online or in person for the first session, but also then the evening and lunchtime sessions after that. This was appreciated.
The Eight Tensions is a great tool to use within a coaching space and offers flexibility. For me, the framework has brought what on the surface can look like a simple awareness, but with the potential to achieve depth of reflection, knowledge and new insights. Unlike some coaching tools which may inadvertently take a conversation in a specific direction, the Eight Tensions framework allows the client to decide and take the lead on the direction, with the coach supporting through curiosity to deepen reflection and awareness. Natalie, thank you for your knowledge and wisdom!”

“I felt included and part of a collaborative group, which encouraged me to stretch my thinking. There was plenty of time for discussion. I enjoyed hearing other’s perspectives and how they were interpreting and using the tensions.
The Eight Tensions is a clear and practical framework to use with clients, that can be quickly applied. Though as a coach it is important to understand the underlying principles and theory, it can be offered to clients in a simple format that can be used powerfully without the need for complex explanations. It is valuable to have a tool when conversational questioning does not get to sufficient depth, and the focus is a particular area.”

“Following the Smart Supervision sessions with Natalie, I wanted to know more about how to use the tensions more practically, in my coaching practice. The coach training bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world implementation. I found training with other coaches particularly useful. This allows you to process the concepts individually but also learn from the experiences and shared insights of peers. I am currently exploring ways to use the tensions in coaching practice and find they can be particularly valuable when working with diverse populations, or in different coaching contexts. Clients can experience a perspective shift, opening up new possibilities and creating space for deeper reflection and exploration.”

“Natalie’s Eight Tensions^® Coach Training enabled me to reflect more deeply on my practice as a systemic coaching psychologist, which is about focusing on how individuals, teams and the wider environment interact and influence each other. This requires two sets of lenses: reading glasses for zooming in, and binoculars for zooming out. In my work with clients the framework enabled us to get to the ‘heart of the issue’ that they were bringing to our coaching conversations. In my own coach supervision it prompted me to reflect on the intensity of emotions the tensions evoked in clients. For example learned helplessness, and how I was responding with cognitive reframing and strengths-based strategies. The existential core of the framework also really helped me appreciate the role of coaching in enhancing global wellbeing by bringing difficult questions of climate and ecological crises into coaching conversations.”

“The Eight Tensions^® training is one of the most useful training courses I have attended since becoming a coach. I was attracted to the evidence-based approach and how well existential psychology fits with my primary coaching approach, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. The Eight Tensions^® have given my clients a framework to articulate the challenges they face and they have given me, as a coach, a way to explore some of the underlying philosophical questions that many of my clients grapple with. I would recommend the training for any Coaching Psychologist looking for a fresh way to explore the tensions that our clients bring to coaching.”

“I really enjoyed the Eight Tensions^® Coach Training – it was a day full of rich and interesting discussions, new perspectives and of course, many new insights to carry forward with my clients.  I joined the group remotely but at times forgot that I was not in the room there with the others as it felt so natural – like I had my own seat at the table.  Natalie’s style of delivery helped with that as she ensures the atmosphere is relaxed, fun and supportive.  The format of the training was engaging and offered opportunities for both learning and practice.  I have already had opportunities to use the Eight Tensions^® with my clients and have had encouraging, positive reactions so I look forward to going deeper into this work and using the Tensions to support more clients moving forward.  Thank you Natalie!”

“The Eight Tensions^® Coach Training surpassed all my expectations and left me feeling inspired and equipped with new tools and perspectives to enhance my coaching practice. These sessions’ interactive and engaging nature allowed me to build on the Smart Supervision sessions. The training introduced me to fresh techniques and strategies that completely transformed my approach to coaching. It’s incredible how creativity and adaptability can make such a difference in helping clients overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. The comprehensive and practical materials gave me diverse resources to add to my coaching toolbox. It is a brilliant training programme that will enhance and add value to your coaching practice”

“Everything is now in question and how you interpret your life is your choice” 

“The Eight Tensions^® cards are a helpful visual resource when working with clients. Working one-to-one they can be used in a variety of ways to support understanding of the eight tensions and to open up discussion. In group coaching they offer an extra visual dimension which encourages each person to consider their own individual thoughts and reflections. The pictures nicely explain each tension without words and spark connections for clients. People like to see and feel as well as listen to explanations – and they are fun too, which is appealing.”

“The Eight Tensions^® training was a brilliant programme that enhanced and added value to my coaching practice. Using the Eight Tensions^® Framework with clients enables them to see things in a refreshing, new light so they make faster progress in their endeavours. Dr Natalie Lancer also has designed the Eight Tensions^® cards with high quality and colourful pictures which are so practical and perfect for sparking discussion with clients.”

“Having been thoroughly inspired by the Eight Tensions^® in coaching supervision I was keen to embrace the Eight Tensions^® Coach Training with Natalie to explore further ways of embedding this framework in my coaching practice. It was an enriching experience with an amazing cohort of colleagues who were great to learn and practice with. Natalie’s passion for ‘all things existential’ was apparent throughout and this was backed up by her knowledge and understanding of complex concepts and their application to coaching. I found the experience inclusive, engaging and supportive.   I have already had opportunities to use the Eight Tensions^® with clients and have had some excellent feedback from them, which is most encouraging.”