FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between coaching and therapy?

This question is being asked a lot these days with coaching rapidly becoming one of the hottest new professions.  Mental Health Therapy is typically performed by a degreed and licensed professional who is required to work under a state approved Code of Ethics that exists to protect the public.  A therapist would very likely use coaching skills every day as part of the work they do in the therapy setting.  I am unaware of any type of coaching, as of this writing, that can be or is licensed by any state or requires any minimum educational requirement.

What are the different types of coaching available?

There are many different types of coaching, so it’s important to make sure you find the right one for you.  Don’t just accept a label, dig to find out exactly what type of services are being offered, how they will be offered, and what skills and training the person has who is offering them.

What is “certification” versus “licensure?”

A “certification” is the outcome of a program that has been completed and can apply to many things.  For example, you can take a Red Cross class in CPR and become “certified.”  Each type of certification program sets its own criteria for successful completion.  “Licensure” means a person has satisfied the legally required education, training, testing and internship(s), if required, to be awarded a license to practice in some specific profession, typically by the state in which the license is issued.

How do I choose a coach?

Working with a coach can be a significant investment, so finding the right person for you is critical to a successful outcome.  There are also many coaches available to choose from and you will want to take your time in researching your options.  Find out if the coach you are considering has background and expertise in the areas relevant to your needs.  What is the coach’s record of success in his/her own career?  How specialized are the services being offered to your particular needs versus following a model used with everyone being treated the same?  Does a mental health professional offering business coaching have a background in business?  All terms and conditions should be clearly laid out in a contract to avoid any misunderstandings on either side.  Any reputable coach should be happy to answer any of these questions for you.

If I am seeing you for business coaching, can I also see you for therapy since you are also a licensed psychotherapist?

Once a business coaching relationship has been established, it would be a conflict of interest and violations of my professional Code of Ethics to do both.  If it appears in the course of our work together that a mental health diagnosis is suspected or present and in need of treatment, I would refer you to an independent professional to help you in whatever way the two of you would deem appropriate.  We would assess whether to put the coaching on hold, continue the work in progress or terminate at that time.   

I noticed most coaches require a large fee with a several month contract for them to begin coaching me, but you charge by the hour.  Why do you do this?

I do not want to obligate anyone beyond the current meeting they have with me.  What if they get their needs met in a shorter term?  What if they don’t like me!  What if I feel I am limited in my ability to coach the person?  I also believe it is easier for people to afford coaching services if they are not required to pay large lump sums of money, especially before they have experienced any tangible results.  The bottom line is I want people to feel they are getting good value for their investment.

How are meetings conducted?