Destress with Belly Breathing!

Diaphragmatic or Belly Breathing is one of the quickest, easiest ways to address stress and anxiety … here’s a glimpse. Find more in The Normalcy Fallacy and at www.JenniferKos.com 

#thenormalcyfallacy #healthysafeloving #breathe #mentalhealth #anxietysupport #stressreduction

 

Coaching vs Therapy

    For the last 25+ years I have been a therapist, licensed counselor, and licensed psychologist (among other things). The field has changed over and over and it is currently going through a massive upheaval, primarily due to the overwhelming evidence that Telehealth DOES WORK. If we learned anything during the COVID years it is that technology can keep us connected even when desperately separated. 

    Another change that is occurring, due to this overwhelming evidence that Telehealth is effective and convenient is that access to trained, licensed helpers is limited because of licensure laws and somewhat archaic view that state lines make any difference at all in the quality of care. Licensed therapists are leaving the field in droves for this very reason. Coaching and Consultation give space for real work to be done, however there are differences. Important, legal, ethical and moral differences between coaching and therapy and consumers need to be aware of the significant differences. 

Here are a few important delineations: 

Psychotherapists Diagnose and Treat Mental Health Symptoms and Illness While Coaches Do Not and Should Not.  This is the primary distinguishing factor. Please do not work with any coach or consultant who is diagnosing and treating you for mental health symptoms without a license to do so in their state or country. If they are diagnosing and treating mental health symptoms they have moved out of the realm of coaching, into therapy and should be aligned with their governing licensure board to do so. 

1. If you are suffering from emotional, mood, trauma, active addiction, eating disorders or other severe symptoms please seek the services of a licensed therapist in your state. Coaching and consulting are not designed to assist with these important issues. 

2. Therapy often focuses on the past and present, while coaching focuses on the present and future. Therapy often focuses on healing and processing the past to create a better current situation. Coaching focuses on making better choices and thought processing in the now to create a better future. 

3. Many licensed therapists are able to take insurance. Consultants and Coaches are not covered by insurance. Coaching and Consulting are self pay options that do not go toward deductible or HSA accounts. 

4. In order to legally provide mental health therapy, a therapist must have an advanced degree and a state license to practice. To obtain a license to practice psychotherapy, one needs to meet strict criteria which includes exams and a certain number of supervised hours of practice under another licensed professional. 

While there are many certification programs for coaching, there are no governing boards for consultants or coaches. Despite a lack of a governing board in the field of coaching, many coaches offer tremendous services and some originally practiced as psychotherapists. (Like me:) Others however are dangerous charlatans and should not be interacting with the public with any authority. Please be diligent in your research while finding a coach, consultant or therapist. 

5. Therapists face more restrictions than coaches in terms of where and how they are able to provide services. They must be licensed in the state where their client is located for the session for example, while coaches can work throughout all of the United States and most international countries. 

Therapy is traditionally offered face to face in an office, while coaching happens frequently over the phone or via the internet. Even so, many psychotherapists now offer services over the phone or via the internet and some coaches have offices in which they see clients. Some coaches choose to meet with clients in a public setting, which is rare and typically inappropriate for psychotherapists.

Those are just a few of the very important distinctions. Both fields have INCREDIBLE value - but are quite different. Do your research. Advocate for what you really need. Ask questions. If you don't get what you need from a coach or therapist, please believe there are thousands more waiting to provide you with quality service and care. If you have any questions or concerns comment here or reach me directly at::

www.JenniferKos.com