Comments on: What a stir I created with therapists!

By: Jackie Dotson, LCSW

Jackie Dotson, LCSW — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:28:35 +0000

I have been listening to the coaching vs. therapy debates and what I am hearing is tremendous resentment on the part of therapists that coaches have found a way to reach clients and communicate their value in a way that therapists do not. It seems to me that those going into coaching have a MUCH better grasp on how to market their practices, target their ideal client and communicate that on the internet. I also hear a tremendous deal of griping that coaches are charging the same and even higher fees that therapists who presumably have years of training, internships, schooling, etc. That suggests to me that these financially successful coaches do not have the “money issues” that seem to plague so many therapists. The successful coaches seem to have no problem communicating their value and demanding to be paid well for what they offer (something I think therapists in general sorely lack).

By: Miranda Palmer

Miranda Palmer — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:03:52 +0000

I have been thinking since the “townhall” the other day. Have you heard of Western Governors University? They are a different kind of University that was started in an attempt to bridge theory and practice. They have what they call a “competency based” approach. Meaning, that you pass a course when you complete a certain competency level, not because you sat through class, did busy work, etc., but because you met certain competencies.

Now, I am not sure how realistic it is that you can test someone’s competency based on most paper and pencil tests ;0) At the same time, I wonder what the therapy profession would like if we took a competency based approach. There are some people with a great deal of knowledge who I went to school with, who were never competent to become a therapist ;0) At the same time, there are some people without many years of schooling that have share many of the competencies that I developed during my education.

When I see them interacting they just scream “THERAPIST” to me! However, they do not have the qualification to provide private therapy.

Wouldn’t it be great if I had a point? I am not sure that I do… but I wanted to share those thoughts.

By: Marcia Naomi Berger, LCSW

Marcia Naomi Berger, LCSW — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:47:35 +0000

Coaching has always been part of what I offer to my psychotherapy clients when appropriate for the person and situation. It is one of many cognitive/behavioral approaches taught at the University of Michigan School of Social Work., where I earned my master\’s degree. Psychodynamic approaches were taught as well. I cannot imagine doing therapy without being able to exercise skills in both areas as appropriate to a particular client\’s situation.

People who operate solely as coaches lack a range of psychotherapy skills, including crucial ones for understanding transference and countertransference. Those who need solely a mentor can get helped by a coach who has the knowledge and life experience to serve in that role. However, those with longstanding issues around connecting to others in relationships are not likely to get what they need.

Therefore, I would not recommend coaching as the primary way for someone to get help for a serious issue concerning a relationship. People who see a well-trrained licensed psychotherapist with whom they feel comfortable will experience a trusting relationship during face-to-face sessions with that person. A climate for self-acceptance and safety for exploring emotions is generated, which is important for overcoming internal obstacles for better relationships outside of the therapy office, particulary when entrenched, self-defeating patterns are present. Psychotherapy empowers people to deal successfully with serious relationship issues and to achieve their goal for a more fulfilling life.

By: Laura Arnold

Laura Arnold — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:47:16 +0000

My problem is not with therapist who do coaching. It is with people with little or no training labeling themselves coaches (because ANYONE can call themselves a coach), having no governing board or minimum requirements, and serving an uninformed, unsuspecting clientele who believe they are getting the same standard of care whether they choose \"therapy\" or \"coaching\". I believe someone will probably have to suicide under the care of a coach before stringent requirements and regulation comes into being. Tragic.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:39:25 +0000

Personally, I have seen a number of coaches that are out there marketing themselfs to the public as counselors and therapists, with all kinds of funky letters after their names. They are also doing a number of unethical behaviors (not all of them, mind you), but have no control or oversight through a state licensing organizations. Usually, from what I have seen of them, they feel they can treat most things with new-age woo-woo, and put themselves out there as gurus. A lot of them, I have seen, I refer to as charlatans. I think coaching needs to be licensed and regulated.

By: Beth

Beth — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:33:12 +0000

Casey, I enjoy your enthusiasm and marketing creativity and that you can assist both therapists and coaches in expanding their business. I also believe in the rules, laws, tests, and oversight for clients of licensed therapists for a good reason – to protect the client and to acknowledge the boundaries that we struggle with on a day to day basis (sometimes depending on your therapeutic framework or the particular needs at that moment.) The caveat is that we struggle with them! Meaning, we acknowledge them, think about it, have an awareness. I\’m sure there are a lot of great coaches out there who come from various specialities, and I know I am excited to be adding coaching and product development to my repertoire. Part of what I can offer, is the ability to decipher when screening a client, if the client is better served within the context of therapy (which is deep even if it is relatively short) as opposed to someone who is truly searching for solution focus/overwhelm management to a particular problem or goal. Often the people who don\’t think there is a difference between psychotherapy and coaching have never studied or had therapy so they simply wouldn\’t know. Also, I think the problem many therapists are facing, that you acknowledge, is not the work, but the problems with insurance and all that entails. Thank you for the discussion.