Choosing Your Coach

Coaching is a confidential collaboration designed to help you identify and achieve the goals you set for yourself. A coach helps you make changes YOU want to make. A coach partners with you in a thought-provoking and creative process that leverages your strengths and inspires you to maximize your potential. A coach does not focus on your past but rather where you want to go now and in the future. A coach helps you replace old, unwanted habits and behaviors with new, healthier ones. A coach is not a counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, or consultant. A coach does not assess, analyze, direct, or instruct you.

A coach cannot make you do anything. For example, if you want to stop drinking alcohol, a coach cannot wave a magic wand and make you stop. YOU must do the work. YOU must want to achieve the goal and allow your coach to accompany you on your journey, guiding you, cheering for you, and holding you accountable.

Here are some helpful articles for deeper exploration of coaching:

• Life Coach vs. Therapist
• What Is A Recovery Coach?
• What Is Recovery Coaching?
• Recovery Coaches Are Approaching Addiction In A Way 12-Step Programs Aren’t
• Sponsor, Recovery Coach, Addiction Counselor: The Importance of Role Clarity and Role Integrity

Research and identify a list of 3-5 possible coaches you think you would like to work with. What are their qualifications? Are they certified by an ethical organization? If you are looking to get sober, specifically, find out how long the coach has been in recovery.

Personally, I recommend starting with the list of certified coaches on the SHE RECOVERS® website. Those of us listed there have added the SHE RECOVERS Coach designation to our professional coaching certification. We are credentialed and vetted. Another great place to look is the IAPRC Coach Directory.

Look at the coaches’ websites and social media accounts. Read blogs and articles they have written. Listen to their podcasts or podcasts on which they’ve been interviewed.

Once you have your list, schedule discovery calls with each coach you want to interview. A discovery call is a free, no-obligation opportunity to speak with a potential coach and for each of you to explore whether or not you would work well together.

• Make sure you can take the call in a quiet place without distractions.
• Prepare a list of questions for the coach and have a pen and paper available to take notes. Consider asking questions such as:
  • Why did you become a coach?
  • Where did you receive your training?
  • How long have you been a coach?
  • How often will we meet?
  • What will our coaching sessions be like?
  • Outside of sessions, what do I receive?
  • How do I schedule appointments with you?
  • What is your cancellation policy?
  • How long is the contract?
  • How much does it cost?
  • What types of payment do you accept?

A coach should never pressure you to make a decision on the call. That said, when you find the right coach, you will likely know immediately and want to get started right away. When you talk with the right coach, you will feel inspired, hopeful, encouraged, powerful, and motivated. If you’re not sure, don’t commit. Trust your gut. If you feel confused or overwhelmed, you may want to ask more questions, sleep on it, or interview more coaches before making your decision. The decision is yours and yours alone. Make it when you are ready.