Therapist As Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice

by Patrick Williams, Deborah C. Davis

Life coaching differs from traditional therapy in that the client seeks treatment not to overcome mental illness but rather to maximize his or her potential. This guide for therapists describes how counseling professionals can enter the coaching field while drawing upon the skills they developed in graduate school and professional experience. Coverage includes the differences and similarities between coaching and therapy, setting up coaching agreements with clients, and marketing the coaching practice. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Genres: Psychology

Hardcover

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Dr. Patrick Williams, EdD, MCC is Founder and Advanced Curriculum Instructor of the Institute for Life Coach Training (ILCT), which specializes in training those with a human services orientation.

Reviews

[Mister Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful distinctions between coaching and counseling and insightful. Some good ideas for marketing and helpful resources for policies and worksheets. A little outdated with the marketing steps and technology discussed but the rationale and principles were sound.

[David Teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a great primer for moving from counselor/therapist to coach, this is a great place to start. Even if you're just curious, this will work for you. Basics are covered on what coaching is, criticism of the standard therapeutic practice is given and a wide range of suggestions are put out to help begin a practice. Reading it I was struck by how often I agreed with the criticism and thinking perhaps the book had been written a while ago because I didn't see therapy from the medical-model of needing to fix broken people. Then I realized it was I who had changed, not the counseling profession. Whether the plan is to go into coaching or not, the information here is certainly worth considering.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is mostly theoretical in orientation (don't expect step by step outlines on "how to BE a coach"). There are some really important issues discussed here though for the practitioner who is considering keeping both their psychology private practice and developing a life coaching practice, as well as someone transitioning entirely toward life coaching. A must read!

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to life coaching versus therapist