Coaching and healing

Meditation on the beach

Have you ever come across the disclaimer,

“Coaching does not provide psychological therapy such as counselling carried out by mental health professionals for the purpose of healing”?

This is something every coach must know and keep firmly in mind. It is clearly written in the ethical guidelines for coaches. The reason is simple: sometimes a person who is looking for coaching actually needs more clinical support instead. Naturally, offering coaching in such cases is not appropriate. That person first needs the right kind of support or intervention.

But does that mean coaching cannot bring any sense of healing?

That depends on how we define “healing”. If we mean medical or clinical healing - treatment, recovery from a mental health condition - then no, coaching is not meant for that.

Yet in a more everyday sense, coaching can indeed be healing.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) has published guidelines titled “Referring a Client to Therapy”. They say that a coach should refer a client to therapy when mental health issues interfere with daily functioning.

This could include, for example, anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, or thought disorders.

When I explain the difference between coaching and therapy in my coaching trial sessions, I often put it like this:

Coaching looks at the present and the past only as a way to understand how to move forward and build the future.Therapy, on the other hand, helps to heal emotional wounds by working directly with the past.

In my own coaching practice, there have been several times when I have referred clients to a therapist. Sometimes I knew during the trial session that a referral was the best next step. Other times, after a period of coaching, it became clear that moving forward was becoming extremely difficult and therapy was needed. There are also clients who see a therapist to work through past trauma while continuing coaching with me to stay focused on the future.

The key question has been the same: “Is this person able to function normally in daily life?”

Burnout or bullying at work or school can be a borderline situation. What really matters is how much the situation affects the client’s state of mind. If someone is crying constantly, has thoughts of suicide, or engages in self-harm, I have always chosen to refer the person to therapy.

On the other hand, if a person can go about daily life, even though things may be tough, and still wants to keep taking small steps toward the future, then coaching itself can be a powerful source of healing.

Simply speaking out - putting thoughts and feelings into words - while being fully heard by someone who listens without judgement can be deeply healing. At times, a coach is simply a “sounding board”, and that time of listening and reflection can be both healing and empowering for the client.

Perhaps you feel you might need therapy, but you are also curious about coaching and think it could help. In that case, I recommend booking a trial session with a well-trained, experienced coach.

A professionally trained coach who follows a clear code of ethics will help you see what kind of support or intervention is right for you.

You are welcome to book a trial session with me anytime, here.