Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD, LMFT, BCC( PhD, LP, LMFT, BCC )
Are you exploring the possibility of enriching your therapy practice with coaching skills? Let’s explore why learning coaching psychology isa transformative step for therapists, especially when working with high-functioning clients eager for personal growth and positive change.
The Problem with Talk Therapy
Traditional psychotherapy often finds itself in the realms of diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions or engaging in non-directive, client-centered talk therapy. While the medical model has its place, this approach may not always catalyze the real, lasting change sought by clients eager to shape different outcomes in their lives.
In fact, in my experience, clients who are motivated and ready to grow and make positive changes can often feel extremely stuck and frustrated by traditional therapy. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with (coaching) clients who have sometimes been in therapy for years (YEARS), who reported that they felt like they were spinning their wheels, rehashing the past, or having therapists attempting to pathologize their experience rather than help them find their way forward. And, they’re not wrong: That’s what we therapists are trained to do.
In contrast, coaching psychology offers a dynamic, action-oriented system. It equips individuals with tools and strategies to effectively enact changes in their lives, influencing their inner experiences as well as their relationships and careers. This outcome-focused model of coaching aligns remarkably well with the needs of high-functioning clients who may feel stagnant or frustrated with the pace and impact of traditional therapy.
Incorporating Coaching into Your Therapy Practice
Learning coaching psychology can significantly enhance the effectiveness of therapists, especially when working with high-functioning clients focused on personal growth and positive change. Traditional psychotherapy often employs a non-directive approach that may not always yield tangible changes for those seeking specific outcomes. In contrast, coaching psychology offers a structured system that empowers individuals to take actionable steps towards achieving their goals in life, inner experiences, relationships, and careers.
However, therapists typically don’t receive training in coaching psychology through their degrees or professional experience.
But, there are many compelling reasons for therapists to seek out coaching certification.
Therapists possess strong, transferable skills that adapt seamlessly to a coaching model. Counseling psychology and coaching psychology share common roots in developmental psychology, social learning, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stages of change theories, among others, making the transition to coaching feel familiar and intuitive. For therapists, moving into coaching can feel like a natural progression, leveraging their existing knowledge and experience in a new, impactful way.
Now I’m not going to lie: There are also profound differences between counseling and coaching in terms of how the work is conceptualized, structured, and conducted, but if you completed your education and training in counseling psychology, I’m confident you can do this, too.
That said, the “coaching mindset” and “counseling mindset” could not be more different from each other, and therapists who are interested in learning how to coach often have a steep learning curve as they develop an entirely new way of serving clients. Therapists who become coaches develop a whole new professional identity, often one that’s very rewarding and exciting to them, helping them do everything from minimizing administrative tasks in your therapy practice, to avoiding therapist burnout. Seriously!
