Avenir's FAQs about coaching

Q: Are there different types of coaching?

A: Coaching tends to fall into two broad categories: Being Coaching and Performance Coaching.1 Being Coaching tends to focus on “inner” work (beliefs, ideas, values, purpose, etc.) with a goal of transformational change. Performance coaching is based in “outer” work and concentrates on more narrow, specific goals. Personal/Life, Transition, and Spiritual Coaching would clearly fall into the Being category, and Business Coaching (Leadership, Executive, Entrepreneurial, and Career, e.g. Targets Performance). However, depending on the coach and his/her experience and education, the Performance coach might bring into the conversation some of the inner-work subjects and the Being coach often engages in specific goal-setting and other performance-related approaches.

Q: How is coaching different from psychotherapy?
A: In the United States, a psychotherapist is a licensed professional with at least a Master’s degree in the psychology field and has met other state requirements (certain number of hours in training and an exam). By standard definition, a psychotherapist is licensed to treat mental and emotional disorders through psychological techniques. As of this writing, there is no licensing requirement in the U.S. to be a coach (anyone thus far can use the designation). However, the International Coach Federation is working diligently to create standards for the coaching profession and for certification, and has established a Code of Ethics which all coaches certified through their organization agree to follow. (http://www.coachfederation.org/) Although Life/Personal, Transition, Spiritual Coaches focus on inner work, as psychotherapists tend to do, they typically look for solutions rather than focus on problems and mental dysfunction. Of course, there is wide variation among psychotherapists and coaches, so there is no hard and fast rule about this. If you are considering a coach (or psychotherapist) I encourage you to “interview” the coach/therapist candidate to make sure you understand how the person works, his/her approach, and if you are a good fit for each other. Remember YOU are the client.

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Contact Avenir for any questions about coaching and a free introductory session.