Jonathan Sibley, LCSW, MBA

Coaching

& coaching

Why care about ethics and Coaching?

Client safety

Practitioner safety

Responsibility to our profession

What is coaching? - ICF

Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential

What is coaching? – Cavanagh & Grant

A goal-directed, results-oriented, systematic process in which one person facilitates sustained change in another individual or group through fostering the self-directed learning and personal growth of the coachee

What is psychotherapy? - Colorado

’Psychotherapy’ means the treatment, diagnosis, testing, assessment, or counseling in a professional relationship to assist individuals or groups to alleviate mental disorders, understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional, relationship, or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behaviors that interfere with effective emotional, social, or intellectual functioning

What is psychotherapy? – California SW

use of psychosocial methods within a professional relationship, to assist the person or persons to achieve a better psychosocial adaptation, toacquire greater human realization of psychosocial potential and adaptation, to modify internal and external conditions which affect individuals, groups, or communities in respect to behavior, emotions, and thinking, in respect to their intrapersonal and interpersonal processes

Coaching and Therapy

What is the relationship?

Coaching vs Therapy??

Some say that

Therapy

• The past

• What’s wrong

• Pathology

• Therapist as expert

Coaching

• The future

• What’s right

• Strengths

• Coach as co-creator

How to define coaching and therapy?

Is it a function of:

What?

How?

Who?

Why?

Differences

What – Topics, types of goals?

How – Techniques, focus, tone of voice?

Where – Whose office? In a public place?

Who – No diagnosis?

Why – Overall goal? Healing?

Theoretical Differences

Therapy Coaching

Attention to power dynamic (vulnerability)

Assumes strength and resilience in relationship with coach

Attention to transference

Little discussion about transference

Practical differences

Therapy Coaching

Privileged communication No privilege

Reimbursable Not reimbursable

Malpractice covered Not always covered

Must be licensed in state Client can be anywhere

One clear code of ethics Multiple codes of ethics

Influence of insurance based fees

Market based fees

Similarities

Relationship

Strengths perspective

Systems view

Non-pathologizing

Problems? Goals?

Problem Goal

Framework

High functioning

Low functioning

Goals / ActionHealing

Key ethical concerns

Scope of competence

Scope of practice

Where is the edge?

Competence

Practice

Ethical framework

Which code(s) of ethics

Decision-making process

Codes of ethics

NASW

Coaching associations

International Coach Federation

Board-certified coach

International Association of Coaching

Ethical decision-making process

Does it quack like a duck?

How different from psychotherapy is it?

Power differential?Client vulnerability?Setting?Topics?

Decision-making guidelines

For the benefit of the client?

Any conflict of interest?

What codes of ethics apply and what do they say?

Whom can I ask for help?

What are my options?

What are the risks and can I accept them?

Document the options considered and choices made

Ethical issues

Competence

Boundaries

Barter / Gifts

Marketing / referrals

Distance-based work

CompetenceTraining / Education

MentorcoachIPECNew Ventures WestNewfieldCTIUniversities (Columbia, Georgetown, etc)

Credentialing

ICFBoard-certified coachIACSchool-specific

CredentialingICF ACC ICF PCC ICF MCC IAC BCC

Training hours 60 125 200 n/a 60

Mentoringhours

10 10 10 n/a 0

Coaching hours

100 / 75 paid 750 / 675 paid 2500 / 2250 paid n/a 30

Clients 8 25 35 n/a n/a

Written test Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Coaching evaluation

If portfolio If portfolio Yes Yes No

Cost $300 / $500 $300 / $500 $575 / $775 $500 $249

Boundaries - Simultaneous

Therapy? Coaching? Both?

Informed consentStrictest code of ethics

Boundaries - One-way only?

Boundaries – Sequential engagements

Therapy followed by coaching?

Coaching followed by therapy?

Barter / Gifts

Follow social work code of ethics?

In a pure coaching scenario, any downside to client to saying no?

Marketing / referrals

Separate cards?

Separate websites?

Social media?

Limited by social work ethics?

Testimonials?Referral fees?

Distance-based work

Which state’s rules apply?

Danger of practicing without a license?

Is it covered by malpractice?

Specific training for distance work

ISMHO – International Society for Mental Health Online

Distance-based good news

The Social Work Professional Liability Insurance policy sponsored by NASW Assurance Services provides coverage worldwide, as long as the claim is made and the suit is brought in the United States, its territories, possessions, Puerto Rico or Canada. Therefore, it's not necessary to purchase another policy for internet, phone/telecommunication practice.

Distance-based caveat 1

However, because of the changing atmosphere and unprecedented legislation regarding the internet, it is imperative that you keep abreast of current events concerning your methods of practice.

Distance-based caveat 2

In addition, taking great care to prevent a breach of privacy regarding client confidentiality should be of utmost concern. It is recommended that documentation not be accessible through the internet.

Distance-based bad news

…coverage would be excluded for a wrongful act committed while you did not have a license as required by law. You must be practicing legally for the policy to afford coverage.

Touch as a model?

Social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is a possibility of psychological harm to the client as a result of the contact (such as cradling or caressing clients). Social workers who engage in appropriate physical contact with clients are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact.

Next steps – Coaching and social work

Can / should any situations be carved out as non social work?

Clarification of what is safe practice

Address distance / state licensing issues

Clarify / address liability insurance coverage

Additional support for social workers who coach

Advocate for the role of social workers in coaching

Resources 1

www.coachfederation.org/ (ICF)

www.certifiedcoach.org/ (IAC)

www.cce-global.org/BCC (BCC)

www.aictp.org.uk

www.insituteofcoaching.org

libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/

www.zurinstitute.com

Resources 2

mentorcoach.com

www.ipeccoaching.com

www.newventureswest.com

www.tc.columbia.edu/coachingcertification/

scs.georgetown.edu/programs/388/leadership-coaching/

weatherhead.case.edu/executive-education/certificates/weatherhead-coaching

Thank You!

js@jonathansibley.net

www.jonathansibley.net