Trauma Recovery Coaching Vs Therapy
Certified Trauma Recovery Coaching vs. Therapy: Exploring the Differences and Benefits
Trauma is a deeply personal and complex experience that can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and physical scars. For individuals seeking support and healing, options like certified trauma recovery coaching and therapy have emerged as valuable resources. In this article, we will delve into the distinctions between these two approaches, their respective benefits, and the role of research in understanding their effectiveness.
Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
Trauma is a deeply ingrained response to an overwhelming and distressing event. Whether it's the result of a single incident or prolonged exposure to adverse circumstances, the impact of trauma can be profound. Survivors often grapple with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, and a sense of helplessness. Both certified trauma recovery coaching and therapy aim to address the aftermath of trauma, but they employ different methodologies and approaches.
What Is Certified Trauma Recovery Coaching:
A Holistic Approach to Recovering from Trauma
Certified Trauma Recovery Coaches are trained to provide support, guidance, and empowerment to trauma survivors. Here are some key features of Trauma Recovery Coaching:
Empowerment: Coaches help survivors regain a sense of control over their lives. They work collaboratively to set goals, make choices, and develop coping strategies.
Strength-Based Approach: The focus is on identifying and harnessing the survivor's strengths, resilience, and resources to facilitate recovery.
Action-Oriented: Coaching is often future-oriented, emphasizing actionable steps and tangible results. It is particularly helpful for individuals who want to move forward in their lives but may feel stuck.
Accountability: Coaches hold clients accountable for their progress yet pace themselves after their clients’ unique rhythms, fostering a sense of responsibility and commitment to their healing journey while offering a gentle, trauma-responsive, client-led approach to recovery.
Trauma-Informed: Trauma recovery coaches are trained to understand the impact of trauma on survivors and to create a safe and supportive environment for their clients.
Benefits of Trauma Recovery Coaching
Non-Clinical: Coaching is not considered therapy, which means clients may feel less stigmatized or hesitant to seek support. Trauma Recovery Coaching is based on a support model of care rather than a medical model of care which means that it is always non-pathologizing.
Alternative or Complementary: It can flexibly be used on its own or alongside therapy or other healing modalities, enhancing the overall support network for survivors.
Skill Development: Coaching typically focuses more than therapy on teaching practical skills and strategies for managing trauma responses and improving overall well-being.
Flexibility: Coaching is typically more flexible in terms of scheduling and session frequency, accommodating the diverse needs of survivors. Coaches can also accommodate clients located anywhere in the world, as opposed to clinicians who are state-dependent in the US, based on where they obtained their license.
Holistic Care: Coaching can address various aspects of a survivor's life, based on clients’ needs, from relationships and career to personal growth or spirituality.
Research on Trauma Recovery Coaching
Trauma Recovery Coaching is a valuable resource for many, based on research, which has helped demonstrates its efficacy and numerous benefits. For example, a study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that individuals who received coaching as part of a comprehensive recovery plan showed significant reductions in post-traumatic stress responses. Even more compelling, recent research has shown trauma recovery coaching to be on par with therapy.
What Is Therapy? A Clinical Approach
Therapy, often referred to as counseling or psychotherapy, is a well-established clinical approach to addressing trauma and mental health concerns. Therapists are trained mental health professionals who use various therapeutic modalities to facilitate healing. Some essential aspects of therapy include:
Diagnosis and Assessment: Unlike coaches, therapists assess and diagnose mental health conditions and develop treatment plans accordingly, which may include medications.
Treatment Plan: Unlike coaching, therapy involves creating a treatment plan to help manage, treat, or cure a diagnosed condition. Unlike a trauma recovery plan, a treatment plan is therapist-directed, not client-led.
Emotional Support: Just like with Trauma Recovery Coaches, clients may experience a deep emotional connection with their therapist, fostering a safe space for healing. One big difference is that the coaching relationship is a peer-to-peer relationship, which eliminates power differentials and helps foster safety. Many trauma recovery coaches are trauma survivors themselves, which many clients find of value.
Trauma-Informed: It is important to note that not all therapists are currently trained in trauma-informed care, which focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment for trauma survivors.
Benefits of Therapy
Clinical Expertise: Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health disorders, making therapy essential for severe trauma cases, including suicidality, active addictions, and self-harm.
Processing the Past: Therapy provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to work through their traumatic experiences and unlike coaching, is not necessarily present-oriented.
Medication Management: For those who require medication as part of their treatment, therapists who are not psychologists can provide referrals and collaborate with psychologists and psychiatrists, just as coaches do, especially when they work in collaboration with clinicians as part of their client’s chosen recovery plan.
The Importance of Individual Choice
Ultimately, the choice between Certified Trauma Recovery Coaching and therapy is highly individual and depends on various factors, including the severity of trauma, personal preferences, and treatment goals. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to trauma recovery, and the path to healing may involve a combination of different approaches, including support groups, medication, somatic-based coaching, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, etc. The field of trauma recovery has evolved to include a wide array of approaches, which can all play critical roles in helping survivors heal from trauma. If you are ready to explore your options to help you figure out what’s right for you at this point in your recovery journey, feel free to reach out me for a FREE Discovery Call!
