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Special Thanks to Deborah
Elbaum, MD for translating this article from theory to practice
As coaches, we are often asked what
coaching involves and what makes it different from other modalities of health
behavior change. Recognizing that health care professionals need effective
ways to motivate and support people working toward long-lasting behavioral
changes, Newnhawn-Kanas et. al. explored the similarities and differences
among three motivational change methods: Co-Active coaching (as taught by
Coaches Training Institute), Motivational Interviewing, and Egan's Skilled
Helper Model. In Co-Active coaching, clients are assumed to be naturally
creative, resourceful, and whole; coach and client partner to help the client
move forward in an empowered way. Motivational Interviewing (MI) focuses on
addressing the client's behavior and ambivalence as a way to increase his or
her intrinsic motivation to change. Egan's Skilled Helper Model (SHM)
emphasizes empowerment; clients work through three stages of questions to
become more effective at managing both problems and opportunities.
In comparing these three methods, the
authors focused on the following areas: the role and creation of the
therapeutic alliance; the role of the client, how the client is perceived,
and which aspects of the client's life are involved in the process; how each
session's agenda is determined; and how the client's need and readiness for
change is addressed.
Overall, coaching, MI, and SHM incorporate
largely similar core principles, beliefs, and processes. The main differences
that surfaced involve:
·
The training -- Individuals trained in MI and SHM are most often
health care professionals. In contrast, Co-Active coaches come from a wide
variety of professional backgrounds.
·
The specific terminology and methodology of each technique
·
The perceived stigma -- Life coaching is often viewed in a more
acceptable light than counseling, because it is less likely to be associated
with healing a person's dysfunction.
Incorporating the key aspects of coaching,
MI, and SHM, the authors created and proposed a new model of Motivational
Coaching to help people change their behavior.
As you reflect on your coaching practice,
what do you see as critical in working with clients to make and sustain
health behavior changes?
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