Coach or Therapist?

There are many business coaches in the world and a lot of different certifying organizations. Some of these produce coaches with proven track records, while others, quite frankly, are a waste of time and money.

Then there are some coaching schools that stress the importance of having a basis in clinical psychology, saying that coaching is, in effect, behavioral modification, which is what psychologists are trained to facilitate. But is that true? Psychologists are therapists. They treat sick people, and they help people who are facing stress to stay healthy despite their circumstances. Is that what you want in a coach? No! That is a very different type of behavior modification.

Seems some people are still confused about what is and isn't "coaching". A driving teacher also facilitates behavior modification---so does a track coach or a ballet instructor. But this is not therapy. These are examples of someone who knows how to do something and guiding someone else as he or she learns to do it.

In many respects, a business coach is no different to the track coach. A coach guides a person in discovering how to self-coach. The coach does not change a person's behavior or delve deep to uncover hidden "demons", but helps that person to change his own behavior or attitude to motivate him to reach the limits of his potential… to reach specific goals… to achieve a joyful and balanced lifestyle… improve their career… build a business… move forward to a successful and happy future, as determined by the client. What does that have to do with clinical psychology? Nothing. (Unless you have a deeply troubled past from which you can't escape and it prevents you from functioning in the present and moving ahead.)

A track coach needs to know how to train a body to run efficiently and how to motivate the team members. Does a track coach need a medical degree to achieve this? Of course not.

A ballet instructor needs to know how to develop the strength, grace, and poise to accomplish precise dance movements and how to build self confidence and dedication in the dance troupe.

A business coach needs to know how to become an effective manager or executive and how to awaken the ability to self-coach in the client. A track coach's job is accomplished when the team rates first place, and the ballet instructor is validated when the troupe all become professional dancers. In contrast, a therapist has succeeded when a sick person becomes a functional individual, or when a patient can face psychological stresses without further therapy. A business coach has done well when the client's confidence, ability, and motivation have developed to the point that the coach is no longer needed, or they have achieved the goal they set out to achieve with the help of the coach.

The client has not gone from illness to health, or from floundering to coping. The client has learned a new set of behaviors from an expert teacher. That is the difference. Coaching is learning, yes. Coaching is motivating, yes. Coaching is building, yes. Coaching is not therapy! Do you see yourself as a prospective driver, a hopeful athlete, or a dancer with a dream... or as a patient?

Make sure you know the difference. If you hire a Coach who is a therapist or psychologist and they start delving into your mind in ways inappropriate to "coaching", then get yourself a new coach. The "psychologist's couch" has no place in coaching… only in therapy.

A coach is interested only in your future… of course, if you have issues from your past that are preventing you from doing anything, let alone moving forward, by all means, visit a therapist! If you are sick, see a therapist.

If you want to become motivated, directed, and efficient, hire a coach.

Yours in Living an EXTRAordinary Life,
Terri Levine
http://www.comprehensivecoachingu.com
http://www.terrilevine.com
http://www.coachinstitute.com