When I started coaching we were always taught to draw a clear line between coaching and therapy. It was drummed into us that we are coaches, not therapists or counsellors.
In coaching the assumption is always that the client is mentally healthy and willing and able to focus on achieving future goals. If they’re not, then you must refer them to a counsellor or therapist. It quickly became obvious to me that there is no clear line you can draw.
Many, many people have mental health issues. These can range from feeling a bit down through social anxiety and hang ups to full blown depression and beyond. They may be temporary, caused by grief or stress or trauma, or longstanding. But we all have them from time to time and coaches must be able to deal well with what comes up.
The first time I tried to refer a client to a counsellor they went ape and stopped working with me. The second time the client refused point blank because they trusted me and didn’t want to start all over again with someone new. This happened over and over again.
I decided to train as a therapist so that I could deal with a lot of issues myself. I have completed courses in counselling, BrainWorking Recursive Therapy, Warriors, Settlers and Nomads and other techniques that allow me to work at a very deep level on whatever is holding a client back.
Some clients have pure coaching, many have therapy. For most I blend coaching and therapy to help my clients get the results they want. Some know that’s what I’m doing, some don’t, none of them care as long as we’re moving forward.
I have balked at calling myself a therapist, I’ve just about got my head round being a coach.
But there we are, I’m a therapist first and then a coach. To be honest, I don’t think it matters as long as clients get the help and support they need.
To find out more give me a call on 074852 483 353 or book a quick chat.
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