Coach vs. Therapist - Ethical Questions

[Guest guest]

This may be more of a question for the professionals that may contribute on the

forum. I have worked as an Executive Coach for 10 years exclusively in the

business arena. My MBA is focused in Entrepreneurship and I have mainly helped

Entrepreneurs transition into a larger corporate structure after they have sold

their companies.

After applying ACT in my own life for a little over a year I have started to

integrate ACT into my coaching. While I mainly deal with " business " problems

they are obviously deeply " personal " to the person selling their company. After

having success appying ACT with a particular client I was approached about

working with his wife. After meeting with her I felt that what she wanted to

work on was of such a personal nature that I referred her to a few therapists

that I got off the Contextual Psychology website. She said that she is not

interested in seeing a " therapist " (stigma perhaps?) and that she wants to work

with me on this.

Does anyone have any opinions or thoughts on where lines get crossed? I'm aware

that I have feelings of confliction as I do not think she will see anyone else

if I do not work with her and I would very much like to help her live a more

vital life. Is doing my best to teach her ACT while avoiding content a suitable

approach? Or ethically is it best to steer clear?

[Guest guest]

Mike:As a psychologist, I congratulate you on your caution/awareness. It is important, in my experience, to know where you are able to 'go' and where you should defer to others ... who may be better able to 'go.' I suppose when you consider ACT is appropriate for most if not all ... the challenge is if the person with whom you are working has an issue ... e.g. major depressive episode or psychotic episode or significant issue of grief ... and whether or not your skill set would be overwhelmed at the proverbial demand of the client.

There is a temptation, for most of us, to think we can handle whatever comes at us ... as for me, I hire an accountant to do my taxes  (while I could do them myself) a billing agency to bill for me (again, I could do this myself) and a cook (at the restaurants to which I visit ~ again I could eat at home) ... these permit me to be me ... and permit me to rely on the 'them' as needed.

A former boss used to tell me be all things for some people not some things for all people ... so stay true to the Mike you are and let others be the other 'Mike.'

---------- Forwarded message ----------Date: Sun, Sep 4, 2011 at 4:37 PM

Subject: " Coach " vs. Therapist - Ethical QuestionsTo: ACT_for_the_Public

 

This may be more of a question for the professionals that may contribute on the forum. I have worked as an Executive Coach for 10 years exclusively in the business arena. My MBA is focused in Entrepreneurship and I have mainly helped Entrepreneurs transition into a larger corporate structure after they have sold their companies.

After applying ACT in my own life for a little over a year I have started to integrate ACT into my coaching. While I mainly deal with " business " problems they are obviously deeply " personal " to the person selling their company. After having success appying ACT with a particular client I was approached about working with his wife. After meeting with her I felt that what she wanted to work on was of such a personal nature that I referred her to a few therapists that I got off the Contextual Psychology website. She said that she is not interested in seeing a " therapist " (stigma perhaps?) and that she wants to work with me on this.

Does anyone have any opinions or thoughts on where lines get crossed? I'm aware that I have feelings of confliction as I do not think she will see anyone else if I do not work with her and I would very much like to help her live a more vital life. Is doing my best to teach her ACT while avoiding content a suitable approach? Or ethically is it best to steer clear?

-- Wood PhDLicensed Psychologist (Ohio - #6482) & Executive Director - Society for Clinical Mindfulness and MeditationGreater Cincinnati Psychology Associates

130 Wellington PlaceCincinnati, Ohio 45219 (Cincinnati Office) (cell)

(fax)www.gcpa.uswww.clinical-mindfulness.org

A Cogmed Working Memory Training Qualified PracticeIMPORTANT: This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the individual(s) addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error, disclosing, copying, distributing or retaining this message or any part of it is strictly prohibited; please contact Greater Cincinnati Psychology Associates and/or Institute on Mindfulness immediately with details of the sender and addressee and delete the e-mail from your system. Thank You.

-- Wood PhDLicensed Psychologist (Ohio - #6482) & Executive Director - Society for Clinical Mindfulness and MeditationGreater Cincinnati Psychology Associates

130 Wellington PlaceCincinnati, Ohio 45219 (Cincinnati Office) (cell) (fax)www.gcpa.uswww.clinical-mindfulness.org

A Cogmed Working Memory Training Qualified PracticeIMPORTANT: This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the individual(s) addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error, disclosing, copying, distributing or retaining this message or any part of it is strictly prohibited; please contact Greater Cincinnati Psychology Associates and/or Institute on Mindfulness immediately with details of the sender and addressee and delete the e-mail from your system. Thank You.