Services

COACHING

Is a learning/developmental model, with a healthy client desiring a better situation and focusing on helping the client achieve a higher level of functioning by exploring possibilities and attainable goals

Focus is mostly on a person's present and guides them to create a more desirable future while understanding the past as context, asking How? And What? Rather than WHY?

Coach and client have an equal partnership, Coach offers perspectives to help the client discover own answers and goals

Normalizes emotions, assuming they are natural

The Coach supports the client and helps him or her explore and identify challenges, then collaborates with the client to turn challenges into accomplishments, holding the client accountable to reaching desired goals

Growth and progress are rapid and usually enjoyable

Personal disclosure by the coach is relevant and used to promote learning

Coach is responsible for the process; Client is responsible for the results

*Coaching is a non-medical/non-clinical service, therefore there is no diagnosing, the coaching client has no identifiable or impairing pathology/dysfunctions; there is no insurance reimbursement for coaching services, a referral for therapy will be provided as needed in addition to coaching services or instead of coaching services if a mental health issue is identified.

THERAPY(Traditional Medical Model)

Treatment is clinical, centered on identifiable dysfunctions/impairment in a person, relies on diagnosis and pathology, insurance-covered service Explores a person's difficulty in functioning due to their past experiences and/or trauma, and seeks healing

Doctor-patient relationship focus is on relieving pain or symptoms (The therapist as expert)

Assumes emotions are a symptom of something wrong, focuses on process and feelings

The Therapist diagnoses, then provides professional expertise to provide a path to healing, is nurturing, supportive, and cathartic progress can be slow

Limited, if any personal disclosure by the therapist

Therapist is responsible for both process and outcomes

SOLUTION-FOCUSED THERAPY

Helps the client identify and define the presenting problem, the therapist will diagnose as needed (i.e. when the client is using insurance; when a significant diagnosis impairs the client's ability to function)

Explores a client's current strengths and exceptions to the problem, building new strengths and new skills for positive coping to promote exploration for solutions to the problem

The therapist-client relationship is collaborative

Normalizes emotions as they relate to the problem

Therapist is solution-oriented rather than problem-focused (or diagnosis-focused), future-focused, and goal-directed to help create a path to eliminate the problem Progress is typically brief vs long-term

Limited if any personal disclosure by the therapist, only when therapeutically relevant

The therapist is responsible for the process and collaborates with the client on outcomes, which involves the use of therapy homework

Trying to decide on Therapy vs Coaching:

ICF's (International Coach Federation) Top 10 Indicators: When to Refer to a Mental Health Professional(if repetitive and/or extreme)

1. Unable to experience pleasure, increase in hopelessness or helplessness
2. Unable to focus, intrusive thoughts
3. Poor sleep patterns, exhaustion
4. Marked change in appetite
5. Guilt, unworthiness
6. Despair, hopelessness
7. Hyper or excessively tired
8. Hyper or excessively tired
9. Irritability, anger outbursts
10. Impulsive, risk-taking behavior
11. Preoccupied with death

*If you currently experience the above items and experience impairment in your typical level of functioning you are currently a candidate for therapy. If you are unsure whether therapy or coaching is right for you please contact me for a brief consult.