Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Programs: Should You See a Life Coach or a Counselor?
You’re in the process of healing from your narcissistic abuse. This isn’t an easy place to be, but knowing the differences between working with a life coach and a counselor can help determine which is best for your situation. Both coaches and counselors are useful to recover. They can coexist and even enhance support for those needing their help. However, there are clear delineations that are notable.
Before you make your decision to work with a coach or a counselor, take a moment to assess the strengths of each.
Understanding Counseling & Therapy
Both counseling and therapy focus on mental health concerns. They typically resolve old pain and improve emotional states. Therapists may use the term patient as they are a part of the individual’s mental health care. Medical doctors refer patients for therapy due to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma or another psychological condition that may be diagnosed. A counselor or therapist has a minimum of a Master’s degree in their field and is licensed to practice their particular therapeutic interventions and approaches. Trained therapists use psychological exploration and may see the need to refer a patient back to a Medical Doctor for pharmaceutical interventions. Only trained licensed professionals should be performing this practice.
The cornerstone for Therapists is to help a patient “uncover and recover”.
What is Coaching?
Coaching has a much more narrow focus than counseling. Coaches should not use mental health diagnostic criteria and approaches to help clients in navigating their emotions or feelings. Whether it be life, professional, relationship, or another coaching niche, coaches partner with a client to realize a fuller potential in the future. A coach should join a person on their journey of self-discovery and awareness, especially when they don’t know where to start or don’t know how to tackle a big change in their life. Coaching allows people to see beyond what is right in front of them, move beyond barriers and consider ways to move forward in the bigger picture.
Outcomes of coaching:
● Define goals
● Formulate plans that will use clients skills
● Design new tools for dealing with problems
● Provide accountability for progress
● Provide structure, encouragement, and support
The cornerstone for Coaches is to help clients “discover”.
Is Coaching Right for Your Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Plan?
Finding a credentialed coach through an accredited training program is important. The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is nationally recognized and sets valuable standards for the coaching process and practice. Legitimate training programs will describe the boundaries of coaching so Coaches know where the line is between coaching and counseling. Trained coaches should recognize when a client may need more therapeutic support and be able to refer a client for the assistance they need. The ICF also sets objectives for ethical and professional behavior.
If you’re in a place where you find you need support in how to move forward, define goals, gain new tools to progress, and formulate new plans, coaching may be a perfect fit for you. Our Coaches at Spin Cycle Coaching are credentialed in training certified by the International Coaching Federation.
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