Coaching vs. Therapy - What Every Anger Solutions Pro Should Know

Specifically for Anger Solutions(TM) Coaches: The Difference Between Counselling and Coaching (courtesy of the International Coaching Federation)

Here are seven major differences between traditional psychotherapy and coaching:

• As coaches we don’t “treat” mental health disorders. Coaches are collaborators rather than experts. (This is the most difficult adjustment I’ve witnessed with therapists transitioning into coaching.)


• Therapists rely on psychological theory, etiology and treatment plans for wisdom; as coaches, we look within the client for wisdom.


• Therapy often asks, “Why?” and concerns itself with the client’s past; coaching often asks, “What?” and concerns itself more with the present and future.


• Therapy seeks to fix unresolved issues; coaching seeks to help the client achieve greater fulfillment, balance and be fully in the process of his or her life.


• Co-Active coaching focuses on the client’s whole life; traditional psychotherapy targets specific symptoms.


• Traditional therapists withhold intuitive thoughts; coaches blurt intuitive thoughts.

Top 10 Best Practices: Coaching, Not Therapy (Jeff Kaplan, 2005)

• During the intake, clearly define and co-design the coaching relationship with your client—identifying what coaching is and what coaching isn’t. See www.coachingfederation.org/aboutcoaching/about.asp, item #13 for a distinction of coaching from other services, including therapy.


• Ask your new clientif s/he is in therapy. If so, get written permission to speak with the client’s therapist, making sure the therapist understands your role and the coaching goals. Yield to the therapist as having primary responsibility for the client’s well-being.


• If the client is not in counseling and needs therapy in order to overcome a mental health disorder that is significantly impacting his or her daily functioning, do not begin coaching until the client is in therapy and is stable. If you’ve already begun coaching, then limit the focus and scope of the coaching to getting the client into therapy as soon as possible.


• Do not agree to provide coaching as a substitute for needed therapy, regardless of the value you might be able to provide to your client.


• If you are unsure about the potential therapy needs of a particular client, consult with other seasoned coaches, therapists and/or a lawyer who is an expert in this area.


• Document! For example, record in your client’s notes that you gave him or her a handout on “Coaching Versus Therapy” in the client’s welcome packet and/or keep a copy of the signed coaching agreement that clearly distinguishes coaching as separate and distinct from therapy.


• Continually seek out advanced coach training, especially in ethical practices.


• Continually seek to improve yourself personally, raising your own level of self-understanding and clarifying your own needs. The more self-aware you are, the more “places” you will be able to travel with your client and greater benefit you will be able to provide as a coach.


• Communicate with your client. Don’t shy away from a much-needed conversation because it might be uncomfortable. Share your concerns and ask questions.


• Trust your instincts.
  Adhering to this list of best practices will not guarantee a totally risk-free coaching business, but hopefully it has stimulated your awareness and will help you to minimize the risk of crossing into therapy territory. In practice, it is relatively uncommon for coaches to find themselves working with a client who should be in therapy instead of, or at least in addition to, coaching. If it does happen to you, however, hopefully you’ll now be more prepared.
  
  Jeff Kaplan, PhD, is a certified Co-Active coach, licensed psychologist, author and trainer. He has a full-time private coaching business, working with middle- and senior-level executives. He has contributed much of his spare time and money developing programs to help underprivileged and troubled youth. In addition, Jeff just launched his new “Build Your Coaching Business NOW” program—a 16-week marketing and sales program for new coaches (six months-three years in practice). He can be reached at drjeff@drjeffkaplan.com.