Coaching Style
The distinction between receiving Psychotherapy, Counseling, Coaching or Consultation can be confusing. As a licensed psychologist and board certified, registered art therapist I am legally, ethically, and professionally trained to offer
- Psychotherapy – treatment of a mental (or medical) disorder by psychological rather than medical means
- Counseling – the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional.
- Coaching – a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
- Consultation – a meeting with an expert or professional, such as a medical doctor, in order to seek advice.
I use the term Coaching to describe the style and content of collaborative, active, goal focused support, training, and/or guidance of clients to manifest specific goals, or to develop themselves in relationship to the world around them. I do not use a coaching frame – that of a monthly contract, or brief 10-15 minute frequent contacts, but apply the active, targeted, present/future-oriented style to the content of hour-long meetings, held weekly or bi-weekly, and billed individually.
Contrary to some characterizations of psychology or psychotherapy, ‘therapy’ or counseling as past-oriented, and maintaining a pathologizing mindset, my clientele often request, and I provide, a collaborative, present and future oriented, strengths based, active goal oriented style to my clinical practice which falls within the scope of my training and license, that some may say fits the description of coaching. Thus, while ‘coaching’ per say from a ‘coach’ is not reimbursable by insurance, and coaches may not diagnose any medical or mental health conditions, or co-occurring or underlying elements, my services may be reimbursable to clients from their insurance as provided by a licensed psychologist rendering psychological services.
Psychological Coaching
Since coaches are not licensed professionals as are psychologists, who must demonstrate accredited training, inclusive of ethics, adhere to strict governmental standards, and limits to the geographics of their practice, coaches can freely practice beyond state borders, and are not overseen by, or held accountable to, any professional or governmental body to assure conduct, quality, or content. Though there are many well trained and dually trained/licensed coaches, many coaches are self-proclaimed experts based on life experience alone. Psychologists are well-suited and trained to provide this active form of ‘coaching’ style in their practices, but coaches are not permitted to cross the line into counseling, or psychotherapy as it is legally considered “practicing psychology without a license” and is considered a federal offense.
As a psychologist, art therapist, and group facilitator, I have received many years of training, supervision, and post graduate education from well-respected institutions, mentors and colleagues, that inform my evaluations, formulations, and clinical decisions. Such training includes understanding the complexities, and dynamics that are inherent to the sacred nature of our work and prepares me to deal with emotionally laden, unforeseen circumstances. Holding a license ensures clients that I have the credentials, as well as the ethics to maintain healthy boundaries; only practice within the scope of my training; ensures the maintenance, and knowledge of the limits of, client confidentiality and privacy; requires active engagement in continued professional development; and that I stay apprised of new research and practice guidelines. While most psychologists are not credentialed to prescribe medication, we can determine if, and when, collaborative work with psychiatrists and other medical practitioners or referrals is warranted.
As a licensed psychologist in MA, my license requires me to adhere to the geographic limitations of providing psychological, counseling and coaching for clinical issues to those clientele within state. I may however perform non-clinical services beyond the state. It is always wise to identify someone local to you for psychological, psychotherapy, or clinical counseling, but if unavailable, reaching out to a more distant specialist for consultation, referral or brief coaching is preferable to not receiving necessary care.
Please note that non-clinical services, such as personal development coaching, education, public speaking, or consultation provided to residents or institutions out of the state of MA are not likely reimbursable by insurance.
Consultation (with Exceptionally WiredTM)
I use the term Consultation to define a form of intervention that is even more targeted, specific, and time limited than psychological psychotherapy, counseling, or coaching services. In the role of consultant, which I offer via my enterprise entitled, Exceptionally WiredTM, general information, advice, education, training, publicly speaking, and support to individuals, groups, and institutions related to themes of giftedness, misophonia, AD/HD, parenting, creativity, ‘art therapy’ SoulCollage® within and beyond Massachusetts. These services are circumscribed, short term, and may not be billable or reimbursable by insurance. The services I provide as a consultant or coach may lie beyond the geographic scope of my license, but may not jeopardize the ethics I hold in alignment with my license as a psychologist in the state of MA.
If you are a potential individual or group client residing outside of MA wishing to meet with me for a consultation via phone or video conferencing, feel free to contact me to discuss your needs.
For services provided to those outside of the state of MA, I may request that you provide me the names of at least 2 emergency contacts, including a medical (MD, NP) or licensed provider, who will be responsible for the unlikely, and rare need for emergency care. As a consultant to anyone outside of MA, I cannot be held knowledgeable about, or responsible for, local resources or emergency interventions. You will be requested to sign office policies that affirm your awareness of these parameters.
The geographic range of my clinical practice may expand in the near future. MA is in the process of joining PsyPact, which, once approved, would allow me to provide clinical psychological, licensed services to those located in PsyPact member states.
Contact our office to get started.