Re: Coach vs. Therapist - Ethical Questions

[Guest guest]

Tricky questionThis definitely seems like question for the professional list. Coaches can join it- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298University of Nevada

Reno, NV 89557-0062 " Love isn't everything, it's the only thing " hayes@... or stevenchayes@...

Fax: Psych Department: Contextual Change (you can use this number for messages if need be): Blogs: Psychology Today  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-out-your-mind

Huffington Post  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-c-hayes-phdIf you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, try my training page or my blog at the ACBS site: 

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/steven_hayes http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes

or you can try my website (it is semi-functional) stevenchayes.comIf you have any questions about ACT or RFT (articles, AAQ information etc), please first check the vast resources at website of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS): www.contextualpsychology.org. You have to register on the site to download things, but the cost if up to your own values.

If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join

orhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) and want to be part of the conversation go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join

 

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]

I thought that occurs to me is that it might be valuable for her to explore why she wants an executive coach to help with a personal issue. An introduction to fusion might be an interesting way to broach the subject! Perhaps she would be more comfortable consulting with a therapist after she has learned a bit about ACT from you (without any attempt to treat anything you are uncomfortable with)...?

D

 

Tricky questionThis definitely seems like question for the professional list. Coaches can join it- S C. Foundation ProfessorDepartment of Psychology /298

University of Nevada

Reno, NV 89557-0062 " Love isn't everything, it's the only thing " hayes@... or stevenchayes@...

Fax: Psych Department: Contextual Change (you can use this number for messages if need be):

Blogs: Psychology Today  http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-out-your-mind

Huffington Post  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-c-hayes-phdIf you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, try my training page or my blog at the ACBS site: 

http://www.contextualpsychology.org/steven_hayes http://www.contextualpsychology.org/blog/steven_hayes

or you can try my website (it is semi-functional) stevenchayes.comIf you have any questions about ACT or RFT (articles, AAQ information etc), please first check the vast resources at website of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS): www.contextualpsychology.org. You have to register on the site to download things, but the cost if up to your own values.

If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join

orhttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/joinIf you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., " Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life " etc) and want to be part of the conversation go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join

 

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?