A client just fired me

A client just fired me.

Well, not exactly fired. But close.

She’s been working with me for 2 months. Making real progress.

Finally setting boundaries with her boss.

Being fully present when reading to her son.

Starting to apply for jobs she really wants.

Last week she told me: “I think I need to stop our sessions for a bit.”

My gut reaction?

Panic.

Did I miss something?

Was I not adding enough value?

Then she said: “I keep waiting for you to validate my actions. And you won’t. It’s making me realize I’ve been trusting others more than myself my whole life.”

She continued: “I need to prove to myself I can make choices without checking with someone first.”

I wanted to say: “But I can help you with that!!”

Instead I said: “That makes complete sense.”

Because here’s what I’m learning:

Sometimes the most powerful thing a coach can do is NOT be needed.

The work isn’t creating dependency on better questions.

It’s helping someone trust their own answers enough that they don’t need you to validate them anymore.

She might come back. She might not.

Either way, she just made the most empowered decision she’s made in weeks.

And I had absolutely nothing to do with it.