Melissa Quiter, MA
Guest article by Melissa Quiter, MA
Why would a therapist want to be a life coach, and vice versa? Here’s my personal story.
I started out as a coach and then decided to become a psychotherapist. I remember often wondering why so many coaches were ex-counselors? I learned quickly it is because the counseling world is FULL to the brim of regulations and red tape. There are so many levels of tape to ensure that counselors are up to par that they end up losing many counselors. When coaching started to become more widely known and accepted, I believe that many counselors found a way out of the tape!
What I discovered is that psychotherapy is like marketing. Under the umbrella of marketing are advertising, PR, sales, etc. Under the psychotherapy umbrella there is coaching, mentoring, teaching, etc.
What I learned in coaching, and specifically the program I went through with Marion Franklin, is that coaching is very closely aligned with one theory that I learned in my counseling program called Solution Focused Therapy (SFT). The premise of SFT is to focus on goals and make plans for their achievement. There is a psychological bent if you are working on that type of goal, but there doesn’t really have to be, which is why I believe it is what coaching uses (not to imply that there are not many methods for coaching as well).
When I was a coach, there were many coaches offering services that I now realize are truly counseling. I know there is a fuzzy line and we all may have different definitions of what is appropriate to work on with a coach and what isn’t.
I know that as a coach it seemed almost impossible for me not to go deeper into the psyche, which is why counseling was so much more appealing. Of course, I know that I am more energized by the deeper layers while simultaneously being able to offer ongoing goal acquisition.
All of that said, I believe my coaching ability mixed with my psychotherapy training is why I have had a full schedule since almost my first month of practice. I called my practice Melissa Counseling & Coaching. I wanted to take advantage of both of my skill sets and offer layered assistance.
When I was in school, I was often criticized by professors for my “coaching” approach. I used it when I felt it was appropriate (based on my exposure to both skill sets). I often heard that I was being too “coachy.” (I don’t really think these professors even know what coaching is fully!)
What was very validating for me was that the clients I was working with or practicing with always reported that my approach was helpful, direct, and much more to their liking than past experiences with counselors. I have had the same comments in my own practice. I believe that is what sets me apart from other counselors. My ability to coach and counsel and to know when it is appropriate to use which skill set. (If you can offer that distinction, Marion, you will be doing a great service to your counselor students!)
I believe this is a good trend for counseling as it widens the breadth of services that we offer. I do wonder, though, if it doesn’t make coaching businesses that don’t/cannot offer the deeper work limited (not including business-focused coaching as I believe this has a huge leg-up on any psychotherapy offerings)? I would be interested to know how this trend will help the coaching world?
About the author: Melissa Counseling & Coaching offers services in the Austin/Round Rock area of Central Texas. Individuals and couples seeking new perspectives, skills and strategies for engaging life’s adventures are invited to call. For detailed information, contact Melissa Landi-Quiter, MA, LPC, NLP at 512-381-0833 or via email: Melissa@MelissaQuiter.com
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