Thrive: Advanced Practices for Deeper Impact  

From Observation to Insight: How Art Sparks Trust and Safety in Group Coaching

Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Coaches will be introduced to Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) as a tool for building rapport and developing trust and safety in group coaching. Humans interpret new experiences through their lived perspective, and open-ended discussions about art reveal multiple truths, fostering empathy. Art is an ideal vehicle to help us better understand and appreciate ouselves and others. I will introduce VTS through modeling then will break down the simple, yet powerful structure. Facilitation is grounded in open-ended questions, paraphrasing, seeking evidence, while maintaining a non-judgmental attitude. Therefore, VTS helps participants listen for understanding and move beyond initial assumptions to consider multiple interpretations simultaneously, creating a safe space for diverse viewpoints to emerge. We will then discuss the impact of VTS on building trust and safety. The skills of a VTS facilitator are ones that coaches naturally possess, so this new approach will feel familiar.

Audience

➙ Coaches new to group coaching

➙ Coaches with some experience group coaching

➙ Coaches with advanced group coaching skills

➙ Coaches internal to an organization

Key Takeaways

✔️ Gain the skills and confidence to facilitate a discussion with a work of art using Visual Thinking Strategies (no art history required!)

✔️ Learn how discussion of work of art can build rapport within a group coaching experience

✔️ Understand how this inclusive, client-centered facilitation technique can be incorporated into group coaching