Therapy and Coaching…
What’s the difference?
What is Sex Addiction?
At Willow Tree Counseling, we believe in offering multiple perspectives to support your journey. Therapy and coaching are complementary disciplines that work together to help individuals grow, heal, and move forward.
What is Coaching?
Coaching is conducted by individuals who have a variety of educational qualifications and have completed a rigorous coaching certification program. Coaching is a thought provoking – client driven partnership which focuses on the client’s present and future experiences. There is an equal partnership between the coach and client, as the coach helps the client develop insight. Coaches help the client to learn new skills and tools that assist in creating a more successful future. Clients are assisted in identifying challenges and helping them find solutions while also being held accountable for actions. Progress typically includes homework, skill development, and experimentation with other perspectives.
What is Therapy?
Therapy is conducted by a licensed clinician who has extensive years of education and training. A clinician is able to offer diagnosis and treatment planning, and bill insurance companies for therapeutic services. The relationship between the therapist and client is typically like a doctor/patient relationship where the therapist holds confidentiality and is a legally required mandated reporter. Therapists offer evidence-based interventions within a confidential and empathetic environment while the client engages in self-exploration and change. Progress in therapy can be slower as the focus can include identifying patterns of current and/or past trauma’s and helping clients heal. Therapists often use the skills of coaching in their work.
What Does Therapy & Coaching Have in Common?
While there are many differences in coaching and therapy, they also have some similarities. They both use questions and examination to help their clients explore their inner and outer worlds. Both professionals use and teach healthy communication and emotional fluency.
Specialized Coaching at Willow Tree Counseling
Our coaches have received specialized training in betrayal trauma and problematic sexual behavior. When working with clients experiencing betrayal trauma, our coaches come alongside to provide safety, validation, and stabilization. They collaborate with their clients to become oriented and figure out next steps, such as healthy boundaries, self-care, needs, etc. When working with clients with problematic sexual behavior, they support clients in creating and maintaining sobriety. Coaches assist with resource development and actionable steps to increase strength of recovery program. All coaches with Willow Tree Counseling are Certified Partner Coaches (CPC) with APSATS (Assoc of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists).
Specialized Therapy at Willow Tree Counseling
Our clinicians also have specialized training in betrayal trauma and problematic sexual behavior. All are either already certified, or are in the process of becoming certified, as Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) with IITAP (The International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals) and Certified Clinical Partner Specialists (CCPS) with APSATS.
Can Someone Switch Between Therapy & Coaching?
Yes! Willow Tree Counseling engages fluency with therapy and coaching services. For example, individuals may shift from therapy to coaching when it aligns better with their current goals and stage of personal development. This allows for continued support while focusing on growth and forward movement. Similarly, engagement in coaching may uncover unresolved trauma or other underlying mental health challenges, prompting a transition into therapy to address deeper healing needs. Willow Tree Counseling embraces this fluid model to best support each client’s evolving needs and overall well-being.
Providing counseling services in the following North Bay Counties, cities and surrounding areas: Sonoma County, Marin County, Napa County, Healdsburg, Windsor, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael.
