Imagine that when you next go to sleep, a miracle happens and when you wake up in the morning, feeling refreshed, your problem has vanished or your goal was successfully completed. What is different about this morning than any other morning?
Coaching embarks on the journey of envisioning the future and discovering the depths of the inner person that must shift for this new reality to exist. It would be great to wake up tomorrow without today’s problem. It would be refreshing to wake up tomorrow with that goal accomplished. Coaching brings the client one step closer to that reality.
Coaching is the “vitamin C” to a healthy life. Through coaching, clients are able to clearly think through goals and desired outcomes and discover what blind spots are preventing success. A good coach reflects like a mirror to their client these opportunities for growth as well as the strengths and capabilities the client possesses to overcome obstacles.
Coaching and counseling both desire to see the client existing in that new reality of the problem gone and the new possibilities achieved. Many areas of coaching and counseling overlap. The American Counseling Association has called counseling and coaching stepbrothers because of their similar desires, yet different approaches.
AG Coaching Coalition (AGCC) coaches have received proper International Coaching Federation (ICF) or Christian Coaches Network International (CCNI) accredited training that assists the coach in understanding when to refer to a counselor and how to assist the client with powerful coaching skills. An AGCC coach is a professional with coaching skill-specific training hours, mentoring, required experience hours, and ongoing education and development. AGCC coaches are encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities, conferences, and events.
The counseling approach typically is retrospective, identifying the core of the past trauma, hurt, or experience that may affect the person’s future progress today. Coaching focuses on a prospective outlook, diving deep into the person's core, but does not diagnose and treat past problems. The coaching relationship feels more like a partnership rather than a doctor-patient or diagnostic-type relationship. The coach is a thinking partner with skills that unlock growth. Coaching creates a space for the client to set the desired outcome for each session. The client is always in full control of the session and its outcome.
AG credentialed ministers have the opportunity to partner with an AGCC coach. AGCC coaches share the same values and cultural similarities as our AG ministers. Many of our AG coaches are credentialed ministers. Clients can choose to have a local coach or a coach on the other side of the country or even in another country.
Every great coach has the belief that every client is capable and resourceful. Coaches hold the clients capable of their future possibilities. As a client makes that internal shift of being to move forward, action plans are created, accountability designed, and success in the outcome is possible. Together, coaching and counseling make an incredible partnership.
Here’s a simple way to determine which path of support you may need:
Consider Counseling
- Are you looking to address past trauma, hurt, or experiences?
- Are you wanting to work on a diagnosable mental health concern?
- Are you looking for someone to diagnose and treat a mental health concern?
Consider Coaching
- Are you looking to set clear goals for your present and future growth?
- Are you wanting to discover what blind spots may be preventing you from achieving the results you want?
- Are you looking for a trained professional who can help you and hold you accountable?
Consider Consulting
- Are you looking for someone with expertise in a particular area who can share their training or experience?
- Are you wanting to be told how to accomplish something or how to do something better?
- Are you wanting someone to evaluate what you are currently doing and tell you what to do differently?