Clare Norman, MCC, Mentors Dr. Jessica Singh on Navigating Grief and Loss: Coaching Session #4 with Dr. Mary

Jul 27, 2026

Shownotes For Podcast Episode 15: Clare Norman, MCC, Mentors Dr. Jessica Singh on Navigating Grief and Loss: Coaching Session #4 with Dr. Mary

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Singh is mentored by Clare Norman, MCC, as they revisit Dr. Singh’s fourth coaching session with Dr. Mary, a family medicine resident. In this session, Dr. Mary navigates grief following the unexpected death of her grandfather.

Together, they explore what happens when grief and loss arise at the start of a coaching session, as well as when the coachee does not arrive with a clearly defined focus. Clare mentors Dr. Singh on how to support the coachee in choosing what feels most meaningful to explore without unintentionally guiding the conversation or assuming that grief should become the coaching focus.

As the mentoring unfolds, they discuss how coaches can make it clear that emotions, grief, and loss are welcome in the coaching conversation. They reflect on the importance of following the coachee’s language, honoring their choice about where the conversation goes, and recognizing that words such as “topic,” “action,” or “moving forward” may unintentionally signal that emotions should be contained or moved through quickly.

Clare and Dr. Singh also examine the tendency to intellectualize grief, particularly in medicine, where physicians may have limited time, space, or support to process their emotions. Their conversation highlights the value of attending to the whole person in coaching, allowing feelings to be present without rushing to resolution, and using silence and reflection to deepen awareness.

This episode offers practical insights for physician coaches, coaches who work with physicians, and anyone interested in navigating grief and loss within the coaching relationship while preserving coachee choice, maintaining the coaching scope, and honoring the full human experience.