The Science of the 3 Brains in Coaching

Join the ICF Coaching Science Community of Practice and presenter Christoffel Sneijders, MCC, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, from 10–11:30 a.m. (New York), for an interactive webinar exploring the science of the Head, Heart and Gut Brain and how the 3 Brains model can offer new perspectives on decision-making, awareness and lasting change in coaching.

Who Is This For?

• Professional coaches who want to explore how the Head, Heart and Gut Brain may influence decision-making and behavior. 
• Newer and experienced coaches who are looking to incorporate body awareness and neuroscience-informed perspectives into their coaching practice. 
• Mentor coaches and coach educators who want to explore the relationship between neuroscience, coaching awareness and client growth. 
• HR and organizational leaders who are looking to better understand how people experience decisions and organizational change. 
• Internal and external coaches who want to explore practical approaches to supporting meaningful and sustainable client change

What You Will Learn:

• Explain research findings about the nervous systems of the heart and gut and their interactions with the brain during decision-making. 
• Describe the objectives, strategies and proposed functions of the Head, Heart and Gut Brain within the 3 Brains model. 
• Recognize verbal and nonverbal cues that may indicate different perspectives, emotions and responses during coaching conversations. 
• Identify potential internal conflicts that may influence a client’s readiness for change. 
• Apply introductory techniques from the 3 Brains model to encourage client awareness and support meaningful action. 

Course Details

What if the decisions we make involve more than the thoughts in our heads? Expressions such as “follow your heart” and “trust your gut” reflect experiences that many people recognize, but what can neuroscience tell us about the relationship between the brain, heart, gut and decision-making? 

Join the ICF Coaching Science Community of Practice and Christoffel Sneijders, MCC, for an interactive exploration of the science behind the Head, Heart and Gut Brain. Drawing on research into the nervous system and his 3 Brains model, Christoffel will introduce a perspective on how bodily signals, emotions and cognitive processes may influence decisions, behavior and personal change. 

The session begins by examining research into the heart’s intrinsic nervous system, the enteric nervous system and the ways signals from the body interact with the brain. Participants will consider findings related to emotional processing, heart rate variability and the relationship between physiological responses and decision-making. Through thought-provoking questions and examples, the discussion will challenge assumptions about how people make choices and respond to change. 

Building on this foundation, Christoffel will introduce the 3 Brains model, exploring the proposed objectives, strategies and characteristics of the Head, Heart and Gut Brain. Participants will learn how this framework interprets different patterns of thinking, feeling and responding, including how these patterns may contribute to internal conflicts or hesitation when individuals consider meaningful changes. 

Drawing on findings from more than 6,000 3 Brains Dominance Tests conducted within his framework, Christoffel will discuss patterns he has observed and how coaches might use these insights to explore client experiences. Participants will consider how to recognize verbal and nonverbal cues, notice potential barriers to change and invite clients to examine different aspects of their decision-making processes. 

The session will also connect these concepts to relevant ICF Core Competencies, including Listens Actively, Evokes Awareness, Maintains Presence and Facilitates Client Growth. Through a short experiential exercise, participants will have an opportunity to observe their own physiological responses and reflect on how greater awareness of bodily signals may inform their coaching presence. 

Whether you are a professional coach, mentor coach, coach educator, internal coach or organizational leader using coaching skills, this session offers an opportunity to explore the relationship between neuroscience and coaching practice. 

Discover a practical framework for approaching client awareness, decision-making and change while considering how to integrate these concepts within the scope of professional coaching.