 |
What is the difference between coaching and psychotherapy?
|
|
Individuals work with therapists or counselors to help resolve problems which may have to do with the past. The goal is typically to change the client’s reaction to the past or to change patterns of behavior that were learned in the past. Often, the client receives a psychiatric diagnosis. Coaching tends to focus more on the present, and clients making changes in their behavior. There is no assumption that there is a problem that needs to be “fixed.” Clients work with a coach to make their lives even better |
| |
|
|
What if I don't know whether I need coaching or psychotherapy?
|
 |
If you don’t like the direction your life is going, if you aren’t as happy as you’d like to be, if you want MORE from your life, you may want to talk to a psychotherapist or coach.
If you are unsure which service you need, contact me and we can talk about your situation and the obstacles you face. Since I am able to provide either coaching or therapy, we can discuss the differences and what will best fit you and your situation. If you need something I don’t provide, I’ll help you find someone who can assist you. |
| |
|
|
My friends and family serve as my coaches. Why would I need to hire someone?
|
|
It’s great that you have such a supportive network! Most people find that family and friends have their own hidden (or not so hidden) agenda. Usually the people we love have definite ideas about what we should do and the directions we should or shouldn’t go. Often that makes it hard to explore what we really want. Also, because of our history with the people close to us, it is easy for us to worry about them judging us. A coach will help you reach the goals that YOU set, and will not judge you. That makes it easier to accept both successes and failures. (Failures often help us learn)!
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Why should I hire YOU?
|
|
Good question! I’ve had almost 30 years of experience helping people create the kind of life they have envisioned. Sometimes that has involves changing careers, starting a new life or ending an old one. My training as a psychologist and my advanced training in a variety of change techniqes give me the advantage of knowing lots of ways to help you unhook from patterns that aren’t working, and helping you find ways that WILL work for you.
Since beginning in practice in 1978, my career has been about helping people change! Personal growth is also a core value for me. I’ve struggled, just as you have, to create exactly the kind of life for myself, to find balance, and to keep getting better. Along the way I’ve learned a lot, and LOVE to share what I’ve learned with my clients, in hopes that they can find something useful for them. |
| |
|
|
How long does it take? |
|
The length of time we will work together depends on you—what goals you set, how motivated you are, and how willing you are to follow through. I’m committed to helping you achieve your goals as quickly as possible. I am not a believer in my clients and I growing old together! I want you to be able to achieve your goals and move forward in your life. |
| |
|
|
How long will I have a coach?
|
|
That really depends upon you. Some people hire a coach to help with a particular area of their life, or to give assistance with a particular project. Others want to have someone working with them to support and assist them in making changes to all parts of their lives.
You will be the one to set your own goals and determine how long you will work with your coach. Usually, it is best to give the process at least 3 months. That tends to be long enough to accomplish at least some of your goals, and to give you an idea if the process is really going to be useful for you. Some people work with a coach for several months, some people work with someone for several years. |
| |
Back to the top of the page |
| |
|
|
How long will I need to have a therapist?
|
|
That depends on you and the goals you set. If you want to deal with the issues that block you and move on with your life, I can show you some techniques that will allow you to do that faster than traditional therapy.
If you are just looking for someone to talk to about your problems, but aren’t in a hurry to resolve them, I’ll refer you to someone who practices that way. I no longer do traditional therapy, and the methods I use with my clients moves them through things faster than traditional methods. If you are someone who likes to analyze WHY you do things, I’m probably not the therapist for you. If you want to CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR or CHANGE YOUR THINKING, I can help you do that pretty quickly. Since everyone is different, however, the actual length of time will vary. |
| |
|
|
How often will I talk to you? And for how long?
|
|
Again, that depends on your goals and your situation. I try to make my practice as flexible as possible for people. My sessions with clients can be anywhere from a ½ hour to 3 hours, depending on their goals and what needs to be worked on. Typically sessions are 45-50 minutes for a coaching session and one to two hours for a therapy session.
My clients and I decide together how often to talk. Often this turns out to be between 2 and 4 times a month for coaching. It has been my experience that anything less than this tends to reduce the momentum, and goals are not achieved very quickly.
With therapy clients, I tend to meet more often (sometimes weekly or twice a week) in the beginning, then eventually sometimes moving to once a month.
I do work with some out of town clients very intensively (see Design Your Magnificent Life™) and we may meet in person for several hours a day over a 4-7 day period.
If you have other scheduling needs or ideas, please feel free to discuss them with me!
|
| |
|
|
I don't live in your area but would like to work with you for therapy. Can we do that over the phone?
|
|
While it is fine to do coaching over the phone, the professional guidelines for psychologists discourage this practice for psychotherapy. As a way of responding to individuals who would like to work in therapy with me, I have begun offering intensive therapy at my office in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Clients can come and stay in the area for 4 days to ten days to work intensively on their issues with me. Since we utilize methods which bring about rapid change, this is typically all that is needed. We then schedule a few sessions of follow-up coaching to help you practice the new patterns of behavior and overcome any remaining obstacles. While it may seem unbelievable that we are able to resolve issues you’ve had for years in just a few days, for clients who are determined to change, it is definitely possible.
|
| |
Back to the top of the page |
| |
|
|
Why would someone who is healthy and successful want to hire a coach?
|
|
There are many reasons. A coach can help you move toward your goals faster. You will probably be able to move through transition points in your life more rapidly and with greater courage. A coach helps you develop and improve your skills, and provides you with an objective viewpoint to help you sort things out. With all the information and options coming at us in our lives, it is helpful to have someone sort through things with you and point you in the direction you want to go. |
| |
|
|
What sort of credentials should a coach have? |
|
Coaches are not required to be licensed the way psychologists and psychotherapists are. In fact, someone can claim they are a coach without any training at all. At a minimum you should make sure that a coach you are considering hiring has had some specialized coach training. The International Coach Federation certifies coaches at different level, ensuring that they have had some basic coaches training and experience. Certification is another way of knowing that a coach has the skills required to be a coach.
As a licensed psychologist, I have elected not to pursue certification through ICF because I believe that my training both in psychology and coaching surpasses what is required by that certification process.
At a minimum, when picking a coach, you should find out about their experience and training. |
| |
|
| |
Back to the top of the page |
| |
|
|
Sometimes my coach asks me to do things that are really hard for me. What should I do?
|
|
Your coach may be trying to help you "stretch yourself"– to do something outside your “comfort zone" and your usual approach. This is one way to develop or enhance your skills. Just like Olympic athletes try things a little bit harder than they are used to, your coach may be asking you to try something a little bit harder.
We all tend to limit ourselves by our beliefs about what we are able to do and our beliefs about what we can’t do. Often coaches believe in us and our abilities and talents more than we believe in ourselves! If possible, do things that are hard for you. That is how you will grow. At the same time, if you feel your coach isn’t understanding your fears or your agenda for yourself, talk to him or her about it! |
| |
|
|
Will you accept my spiritual/religious beliefs?
|
|
Absolutely! I believe that your religious and spiritual beliefs are extremely important in your life. Your values are an important part of who you are and I have the highest respect for that. In fact, I find that if you act in a way that is really in tune with your values and beliefs, your life becomes much less complicated and difficult. Our spiritual beliefs often provide us with support, purpose and direction. I think our spiritual beliefs are some of the most important resources we have. I will work with you, always within your own beliefs and values, to help you bring about the changes you want for yourself.
|
| |
Back to the top of the page |
| |
|
|
How do I pay for this?
|
|
If you think you can't afford coaching, talk to the coach you are considering hiring about this issue. If finances are a problem for you, coaching may be JUST the thing you need in order to get your finances in order. Whether it is increasing your business to increase your income or looking at how you allocate your finances, your coach can help you get a hold on this important area of your life!!!
You and your coach will determine what the cost of your coaching sessions will be. This will be based upon how often you talk and for how long. |
| |
|
|
Can I use my insurance?
|
|
Coaching is not covered by health insurance. In order to use your health insurance, you have to be “sick” and generally, the services have to be “medically necessary.”
Psychotherapy services may be covered by health insurance. However, to use your health insurance, you must have a medical mental health diagnosis. You need to be aware that diagnosis can affect your ability to get other insurance in the future, and there are limitations on confidentiality when you use your insurance. Unfortunately, information about that diagnosis and your treatment may be shared by your insurance company with other insurance companies without your permission and knowledge. Once you have elected to use your insurance, we have no ability to guarantee the confidentiality of your involvement in therapy.
I have also found that clients are most motivated for change when they are paying for their treatment. As a result, I ask my clients to pay for their psychotherapy sessions when they come to the session. If you wish, I will give you the necessary information to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement directly from the insurance company.
For your convenience, I accept payment through a debit or credit card (in addition to cash or checks). Please call me to find out how to do that.
|
| |
|
| |
Back to the top of the page |
| |
|
|
I think it might be hard to talk to a coach over the telephone rather than in person. Could I meet with you in person instead?
|
|
I meet with my coaching clients either in person or over the telephone. One advantage of telephone contacts is that you are not limited to a coach in your geographical area. In addition, some people feel more comfortable talking over the phone instead of face to face–they say it is easier to be completely honest! In our busy world, it sometimes makes it easier to talk by phone than having to drive to someone’s office, find parking, and meet. If you prefer to meet face to face and you live in East Tennessee or within driving distance, I’ll be happy to meet with you that way. I’m interested in whatever works for you! |
| |
|
|
I will be consulting with my coach by phone, and that is a long-distance call. Who pays for the call?
|
|
In my coaching practice, I pay for the call. I have a toll-free number (866-665-6103) where I can be reached. Not all coaches do this, so be sure to ask. |
| |
|
|
What if I need to talk to you in between our scheduled sessions?
|
|
No problem! I’m available by e-mail in between sessions, or you can feel free to call me if you have something urgent that comes up, or if you just need to share a success with me! I’m genuinely interested in what is going on with you, and I don’t stop thinking about you just because we don’t have an appointment right away.
|
