Clean Space Coaching
in English in Berlin

Clean Space Coaching was developed in the early 2000s by the New Zealand psychotherapist David Grove. He had previously gained considerable recognition through his work with traumatized clients. Starting in the 1980s, he initially developed the coaching method of “Clean Language.” This is a conversational technique in which the coach or therapist adopts the client’s metaphors and words as “clean” as possible, meaning without adding their own interpretation.

The concept of Clean Space later emerged from this work.

Around 2002, David Grove began to incorporate the spatial element more strongly. He observed that clients were able to gain deeper insights when they “located” their thoughts in physical space—that is, when they used specific points in the room for different aspects of their inner experience. This discovery led to the development of Clean Space as an independent method that is used in coaching, therapy, and organizational development.

Following Grove’s death in 2008, his work was further developed and systematized by colleagues – particularly James Lawley, Penny Tompkins, and Philip Harland. They made a significant contribution to making Clean Space accessible as a structured coaching and reflection method.

Clean Space Coaching is particularly well-suited for independent thinkers—individuals who want to explore their own thought and perception patterns and gain unbiased clarity on complex issues. The method appeals especially to people who already possess a certain degree of self-reflection and self-efficacy and are open to exploring inner processes without direct guidance or judgment. Typical target groups include executives or decision-makers in positions of responsibility, artists, and people in creative professions. Clean Space Coaching offers them the opportunity to consider strategic questions, difficult decisions, or creative possibilities from various perspectives. It is also well-suited for individuals in transitional or reorientation phases. Those seeking a professional or personal realignment can use Clean Space Coaching to gain clarity about their priorities, values, and inner blockades.

Like any coaching method, Clean Space Coaching has its limitations. It requires a higher degree of self-reflection, openness, and the ability to observe oneself. If you wish to utilize Clean Space Coaching, you should be able to engage in introspective processes and capture your thoughts in metaphorical or spatial terms. Because Clean Space Coaching deliberately avoids interpretation, advice, or explanations, it may be unsatisfying for those seeking decision-making feedback, opinions, or expert assessments.

It’s important to note: Clean Space Coaching is not suitable for treating acute psychological crises that require more intensive support from a therapist. Because I also have psychotherapeutic training and work with trauma sensitivity, I always ensure in my practice that you and your inner world remain safe and stable.

Most of my coaching and consultation services can be accessed in person, online via videocall, or as a combination of both. But since the physical space and the coach’s physical presence—the emotional and cognitive resonance—are integral components of Clean Space Coaching, I primarily offer Clean Space Coaching sessions at my practice space in Berlin Mitte. However, it’s also possible to arrange a session outdoors—for example, in a park, or by a lake.

A Clean Space coaching session typically lasts 90 to 120 minutes. At the beginning, we’ll discuss your concerns or the question you’d like to address in the process. I’ll then guide you step-by-step through the clearly structured Clean Space process using a series of Clean Questions. This creates a space where you can capture your own thoughts, perspectives, and insights as individual locations, free from judgment or interpretation by me as your coach. Afterward, you’ll have the freedom to move between these locations and rediscover your inner world.

The number of sessions depends entirely on your personal situation, your challenges, and your specific questions. Most often, a single session is enough to gain surprising clarity and new insights. For more complex issues or change processes, a series of 3 to 6 sessions may be beneficial. These usually take place a few weeks apart to give you the opportunity to reflect on and apply the insights gained in your daily life.

Clean Space Coaching is intentionally designed to be short-term and solution-oriented. It’s less about long-term support and more about helping you access your own inner compass and decision-making abilities. Many clients therefore use the process on an ad-hoc basis – for example, when facing important decisions or wanting to gain new perspectives on a topic.

Often, a follow-up meeting in the form of a life coaching session takes place a week after a Clean Space coaching session – this allows you to re-evaluate and reorganize your insights and perspectives in conversation with your coach.

The concept of emergent knowledge is based on the idea that every person already possesses within themselves the answers to the questions that are important to them. These answers are based on our experiences and memories, but they are fragmented, like pieces of a larger fragment. These fragments are pieced together through the three-dimensional experience of the inner world during Clean Space Coaching, resulting in clear understandings and answers.

You are free to decide how much or how little of your experience you wish to share with me. Even if you prefer to go through the process in silence, I can provide excellent support as your coach.

A session of Clean Space Coaching costs €150. Since this coaching is not a medical treatment, these costs are not covered by health insurance.