What is the difference between life coaching and therapy?
While people come into therapy because of problems in coping or distressed emotional states, life coaching does not assume that there is any problem or distress to heal from. Generally, people come into life coaching seeking self-exploration and personal growth.
Why do people seek therapy?
Some need to respond to unexpected changes in their lives, while others experience being overwhelmed by guilt, doubt, anxiety, or despair. Therapy can provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhanced coping for issues such as depression, anxiety, child behavior challenges, relationship troubles, bereavement, stress management. People seeking individual or family psychotherapy are willing to take responsibility for their actions and choices, work towards change, and bring about more life satisfaction.
Why do people seek a "relationship coach"?
Many people wind up in problematic marriages/divorces because they have lived by default. A skilled relationship coach can take you through a developmental process that makes you a conscious chooser of your life experience. I am a coach who can help you heal from past hurts, and assist you in moving forward with choices that serve your highest life purpose. As a member of Relationship Coaching Institute (RCI), I can help individuals, couples, and families self-evaluate and discover relationship patterns in their lives that they may desire to eliminate, change, or improve. I can assist individuals and couples to clarify and be in touch with their values, visions, relationship requirements, desires, and dreams.
What can I expect in a coaching or therapy session?
A usual individual or family therapy session is 50 minutes per week. A coaching session may be 1/2 hour, 1 hour, or 1 1/2 hrs, depending upon modality (individual/group) or the coachee's choice. The frequency of sessions decided on an individual basis, depending upon a client's needs or choices. During the time between sessions, whether coaching or therapy, it is beneficial to think about and process what was discussed. At times, you may be asked to take certain actions outside of the sessions, such as reading a relevant book or keeping records. For either life coaching or therapy to "work," you must be an active participant, both in and outside of the sessions.
What benefits can I expect from working with a therapist?
A number of benefits are available from participating in psychotherapy. Often it is helpful just to know that someone understands. Therapy can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. Many people find therapy to be a means of addressing problems in interpersonal relationships, family concerns, and the hassles of daily life. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. Some of the benefits available from therapy include:
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Finding resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
- Find new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
- Managing anger, depression, and other emotional pressures
- Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
- Getting "unstuck" from unhealthy patterns - breaking old behaviors and develop new ones
- Discovering new ways to solve problems
- Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence
What benefits can I expect from having a Relationship Coach?
Many people find life coaching to be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, and increasing individual and family experiences of happiness.
Your Coach can help you clarify your goals, and define the action steps required to achieve them. During the course of coaching your goals may change. However, taking responsibility for implementing action steps will help you get the most out of the experience. Some of the benefits available from life coaching include:
- Attaining a better understanding of yourself and your personal goals and values
- Developing skills for improving your relationships
- Increased experiences of life satisfaction, happiness, and bliss
- Fullfillment of life dreams
- Improving communications skills - learn how to listen to others, and have others listen to you
- For singles, finding the relationship with the ideal person with whom you can find happiness and fulfillment of all of your life's dreams
Do you accept insurance? How does insurance work?
Coaching does not require a diagnosis, and as such it is strictly a cash-pay arrangement. For psychotherapy, I accept most major insurances. The first thing you should do is check with your insurance carrier. Check your coverage carefully and find the answers to the following questions:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- What is my deductible and has it been met?
- How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
- Is Sakinah Y. Rasheed, Ph.D., Psy.D. (Psychologist) on my insurance panel?
- If not, how much do I pay for an out-of-net provider?
- Is there a limitation on how much I will pay per session?
- Is primary care physician approval required?
Do I have confidentiality?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and a coach or psychotherapist. Information is not disclosed without written permission. However, there are number of exceptions to this rule. Exceptions are not likely to occur in life coaching situations. Occasionally they occur in psychotherapy, and they include:
- Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
- If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s. The therapist must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
- If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, further measures may be taken without their permission in order to ensure their safety.