HOW DOES RELATIONSHIP COACHING DIFFER FROM COUPLES THERAPY?
My best definition of the difference comes from the Coaches Training Institute web site (my training program), “Both disciplines work with emotional issues, and both can provide useful skill sets. However, the philosophical stance of the two is quite different. Broadly speaking, a Relationship Therapist is seen as an expert who will diagnose what is wrong with the relationship and design a treatment plan to resolve the problem or pathology. By contrast, the Relationship Coach holds clients as naturally creative, resourceful and whole. The Relationship Coach works Co-Actively (i.e. in partnership with the clients) to unfold and empower what clients want to create now and in the future. The focus is not on your history or “who is doing what to whom,” but on “what’s trying to happen here in this relationship?” ” You should also be aware that relationships involving mental illness, addiction or issues of verbal or physical abuse are better referred to a therapist. Individual coaching may b
