Ethical guidelines in coaching - what are my no-go's

I recently read The Ethical Coaches’ Handbook and it has given me some thoughts and some activities to do, such as organizing a “will” for my practice.  It is full of ideas and helpful hints for me as a coach and supervisor.

I highly recommend this book for coaches and supervisors - as not only something to borrow and read quickly, but to have on one’s office bookshelf, not to gather dust, but to use and return to and to help us “helpers” ponder what is ethical, what is in the gray zone, and what is a no-go for  coaches.

This makes me think about some of my own no-go’s as a certified coach and supervisor.

One big one is “taking advantage” of a client. This has a few aspects to it.

I choose to work for people who I can actually coach, people who do not need therapy, and people who need coaching and not something similar. 

Sometimes a client comes and what they need is consulting. Unless that area of consultation is REALLY within my area of expertise, I send them elsewhere.

Also, although I have counselling and spiritual direction training (and even certification in spiritual direction), I am no licensed therapist and have people who I can refer to. 

My coaching is solution-oriented, so my client needs a “problem” to solve and not a wound to “heal”.

However, I also am a supervisor, and there is a wee bit more gray area here regarding “healing”, as development of the client is the usual topic of supervision, both in their work, but also in their character and person. Often, in supervision we look for negative patterns to break, and then see what happens when they are broken.

But coaching or supervising someone with a psychological disorder is a no-go for me, and I have been trained to refer these people to the correct helper (a therapist).

Taking advantage of a client is also a big no-go for me, that means, for example, selling a “package” that the client thinks they need, but really doesn’t.

For example, some coaches have six-month one-size-fits-all packages that include all sorts of little “things” that do not really help the client. Perhaps the client needs just six sessions over a period of a few months and then they are ready to go it on their own.

After all, coaches (and supervisors, usually, but not always) are “working themselves out of a job” by the very fact they are helping the client to come to the “solution” that they came for.

Finally, charging overly high rates is also an ethical issue for me, as are Ponzi schemes and the sort of riffraff that some coaches fall into.

So, if you meet a coach that offers you more than you think you need, consults “outside” of their expertise, tries to be your therapist and helps you heal, or charges you more than the going rate for that area (cost of living is important – we coaches have to live, too), then look for another coach.

I am sure you will find one that suits you.

Enjoy the rest of your week and have a great summer!

Patricia Jehle               patricia@jehle-coaching.com