Red Flags and Nervous System State Recognition

A quick-reference guide for distinguishing nervous system states from urgent medical or mental health red flags.

Also supports: Chapter 15

The Five Principles of Adaptive Capacity Coaching Quick Reference Card

A compact reference card for the five principles of the Adaptive Capacity Coaching Framework.

The Range Goals Model

A practical model and worksheet for building Conservation, Baseline, and Expansion versions of a goal.

Also supports: Chapter 7

Introducing Range Goals

A script for introducing range goals and addressing the fear that flexibility means giving up.

Also supports: Chapter 7

When the Client Says “This Feels Like Giving Up”

A script for responding when a client experiences capacity-aware goal setting as giving up.

Also supports: Chapters 7, 9

When the Client Dismisses the Conservation Tier

A response for clients who dismiss the Conservation tier as too small to matter.

Also supports: Chapter 7

When the Client Dismisses Rest as “Doing Nothing”

A coaching conversation that reframes planned rest as an active part of sustainable progress.

Also supports: Chapter 7

When Revising a Goal Feels Like Giving Up

A script for revising a goal without framing the adjustment as failure.

Also supports: Chapter 9

When the Client Consistently Uses the Expansion Tier

A conversation for examining repeated Expansion-tier use and possible return to boom-bust patterns.

Also supports: Chapter 7

The Energy Envelope Calculator

A worksheet for estimating a sustainable energy envelope across physical, cognitive, emotional, and social demands.

Also supports: Chapter 11

Introducing the Energy Envelope Concept

A client-friendly script for introducing the energy envelope and delayed consequences of overexertion.

Also supports: Chapter 11

After a Boom-Bust Episode

A nonjudgmental conversation for learning from a boom-bust episode after it occurs.

Also supports: Chapter 8

When Client Resists Pacing

A script for responding when a client experiences pacing as restrictive or discouraging.

Also supports: Chapter 8

Celebrating Sustainable Choices

Language for recognizing sustainable choices as meaningful progress rather than reduced ambition.

Also supports: Chapter 6

The Energy Currency Guide

A client-facing guide for understanding physical, cognitive, emotional, and social energy as limited currencies.

Also supports: Chapters 2, 8

The Good Day Contract

A client agreement for using better days without triggering an avoidable overexertion cycle.

Also supports: Chapters 6, 9

Pre-Session Conversation with a New Client

A welcoming opening script that sets expectations for capacity-aware coaching with a new client.

Also supports: Chapter 4

Returning After a Flare or Crash

A compassionate script for reconnecting with a client after a flare or crash.

Also supports: Chapters 7, 9

Client Arriving Depleted

A capacity-sensitive script for adapting a session when a client arrives depleted.

Also supports: Chapter 11

Standard Capacity Check-In (Every Session)

A repeatable capacity check-in that can be used at the start of every coaching session.

Also supports: Chapters 5, 11

On Capacity and Limits

Adapted coaching questions about capacity, limits, values, rest, and sustainability.

Also supports: Chapters 4, 6, 7

Push-Through Language

A language bank showing why push-through phrases can be harmful and what to say instead.

Also supports: Chapters 7, 9

Toxic Positivity

A language bank replacing toxic positivity with responses that validate grief, fear, and anger.

Also supports: Chapter 9

Comparative Minimizing

A language bank replacing comparative minimizing with responses that honor the client's experience.

Also supports: Chapters 2, 9

Unsolicited Advice

A language bank replacing unsolicited advice with curiosity, consent, and scope-aware support.

Also supports: Chapters 10, 15

Ableist Assumptions

A language bank replacing ableist assumptions with language that respects physiological limits and dignity.

Also supports: Chapters 1, 9

Session Templates

Flexible session templates for matching structure, pacing, and documentation to the client's available capacity.

Also supports: Chapter 14

Understanding Non-Linear Grief: The Emotional States Map

A visual guide to the non-linear emotional states that can accompany chronic illness and loss.

When Grief Surfaces Unexpectedly

A script for slowing down and making room when grief surfaces unexpectedly in session.

Also supports: Chapter 8

When Identity Feels Lost

A coaching script for exploring identity loss without rushing the client toward a solution.

Also supports: Chapter 8

When Client Expresses Hopelessness

A validating response to hopelessness, with language that supports appropriate safety awareness.

Also supports: Chapter 15

When Client Expresses Anger

A script for receiving anger without minimizing, correcting, or redirecting it too quickly.

Also supports: Chapter 8

Explaining the Acceptance Paradox

A clear explanation of acceptance as acknowledging present reality without abandoning hope or treatment.

Also supports: Chapter 7

Holding Space for Grief About Baseline

A grief-sensitive script for establishing a realistic baseline while honoring loss.

Also supports: Chapter 6

Introducing the Values-Capacity Matrix

A client-friendly introduction to expressing core values at different levels of capacity.

Also supports: Chapter 6

On Identity and Meaning

Adapted coaching questions for exploring identity, meaning, and qualities beyond productivity.

Also supports: Chapter 8

On Relationships and Support

Adapted coaching questions about relationships, support, energy cost, and asking for help.

Also supports: Chapter 8

On Hope and Future

Adapted coaching questions that support realistic hope, experimentation, and a non-linear view of progress.

Also supports: Chapter 8

The Flare Management Template

A fillable template for recognizing a flare, reducing demands, identifying supports, and planning recovery.

Also supports: Chapters 7, 8, 12

Lifestyle Modification Risk Assessment

A structured worksheet for evaluating whether a proposed lifestyle change may carry risk for a specific client given their condition, capacity, history, and circumstances.

Also supports: Chapter 15

Pre-Session Sensory Checklist and Capacity Check-In

A pre-session checklist for sensory needs, access needs, and present capacity.

Also supports: Chapters 5, 8

The Smaller Battery

A client-facing metaphor for understanding reduced neurological capacity and planning within a smaller battery.

Also supports: Chapter 7

The Traffic Light System

A simple green, yellow, and red system for matching activity decisions to current capacity and warning signs.

Also supports: Chapter 7

The Provider Introduction Letter

A customizable letter that introduces the coach's role and boundaries to a healthcare provider.

Also supports: Chapter 15

The Clinical One-Sheet (Coaching Coordination Summary)

A concise coaching coordination summary for sharing relevant goals, functional context, and next steps with permission.

The Visit Preparation Worksheet

A client worksheet for preparing priorities, symptoms, questions, and desired outcomes before a healthcare visit.

Communication Channel Selection Guide

A guide for selecting an appropriate communication channel based on urgency, sensitivity, and documentation needs.

Consent Documentation Checklist

A checklist for documenting informed consent before communicating with a provider or care team.

Also supports: Chapter 15

Documentation Guidelines for Provider Coordination

Practical standards for concise, factual, scope-appropriate documentation used in provider coordination.

Also supports: Chapter 15

Language Translation: Coaching to Clinical

Examples that translate coaching observations into concise, neutral language suitable for clinical coordination.

Session Notes: The Four-Field Structure

A four-field note structure for recording capacity, session focus, safety or scope flags, and next steps.

Also supports: Chapters 15, 16

Chapter Toolkit: “Whose Lane Is It?”

Practice scenarios that help coaches distinguish coaching work, shared-care situations, referrals, and safety concerns.

Also supports: Chapters 14, 9, 6

Scope Decision Matrix

A decision matrix for identifying the appropriate coaching lane, consultation need, referral, or urgent response.

Also supports: Chapter 14

Warm Referral to Mental Health Professional

A warm referral script for connecting a client with a mental health professional.

Also supports: Chapter 9

Assessing for Suicidal Ideation

Direct, compassionate language for assessing possible suicidal ideation and activating the safety protocol.

Also supports: Chapter 9

When Client Resists Referral

A script for respecting resistance while continuing to hold a clinically appropriate referral option.

Also supports: Chapter 9

Referral to Medical Provider

A warm-handoff script for recommending evaluation or follow-up with a medical provider.

Also supports: Chapter 14

When Client Asks for Medical Advice

Scope-safe language for responding when a client asks the coach for medical advice.

Also supports: Chapter 10

When Client Seeks Diagnosis Confirmation

A script that validates a client's concern without confirming or disputing a diagnosis.

Also supports: Chapter 3

When Client Wants You to Contradict Medical Advice

A boundary-setting response when a client asks the coach to contradict medical advice.

Also supports: Chapter 14

When Client Asks for Treatment Recommendations

Scope-safe language for treatment questions, paired with support for research and provider conversations.

Also supports: Chapters 10, 14