Today I delivered my first course on coaching skills for counsellors. It was a really interesting opportunity to compare notes. There is a lot of synergy between coaching and some counselling approaches, particularly integrative and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
Being excellent listeners, the group were already ahead of the game. We explored the GROW model, where you look at goals, the current reality of the situation, options and opportunities and your will to make the change you want happen. We also practiced using the Worst Case Scenario, a tool to explore how our fears can stop us from taking action, positive or negative.
Adding coaching to counselling can seem quite contraversial - coaching is a very active and empowering tool, whilst counselling offers more opportunity for reflection. Coaching is pro-active and structured, whereas counselling is more experiential and travels in the direction of the mind and thoughts of the client, regardless of any "focus" for the conversation.
It seemed that the counsellors who use their skills in a broader framework, such as supporting foster carers or working with young people's mental health, would find it easier to integrate the tools than those who have a one to one practice based on a particular approach.
Everyone has gone away for a month now to practice their new found skills in their respective environments - I will update once we have had our second session in December.
For more information about coaching skills for teachers, managers and counsellors, please get in touch or visit our new website, due to be launched in the next few weeks!
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