Coaching vs Therapy
The Therapy Vs. Coaching webinar is an excellent, in-depth resource. If you’re pretty sure that your coaching client is dealing with an issue or functioning in a way that would be a better fit in therapy, you will want to refer them to another helping professional. This could be as simple as having a conversation with them. Let them know that their success is important to you and that you are not qualified to help them with their specific challenge or level of functioning. The best way to make referrals is to have a network of mental health professionals whom you are familiar with. Not only will this help you point clients in the right direction, it’s also a good networking practice to expand your name recognition locally.
If you don’t have relationships with local mental health professionals, the easiest way to make a referral is to contact a local community mental health agency and ask them for help. You can say, “I’m a coach and I believe that my client is in need of a therapist. Can you help me make a connection with someone?” Community mental health agencies are tremendously helpful and can point you in the right direction.
If you are unable to find a community mental health agency, the next best thing to do is to contact a hospital in the area and ask for their Psychology department. Almost all hospitals have a psych unit and you can inquire for help there. Be aware that while coaches may coach clients who aren’t in their geographic area, there are regulations for therapists about who they can work with and where. That means that it’s best to give your client a referral to a mental health professional in their area, if possible.
After you make a therapeutic referral, the client may choose to work with that professional only, or they may want to work with a therapist on a dysfunctional, or past-focused aspect of their life and continue coaching with you on a functional, present, or future-focused aspect of their life.