From Research to Practice
At the Border: Coaching a Client with Dissociative Identity Disorder, by Francine Capone, International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring ; 2014, Vol. 12, No. 1.
Special thanks to Brodie Gregory, PhD for reviewing this research article and translating the key points to use in your coaching practice.
Chances are, at some point in your coaching practice you have encountered the challenging grey area where the lines begin to blur between coaching and counseling. Frequently, one clear way to differentiate is through the purpose of the practice. Whereas counseling is for addressing and managing psychological dysfunction, coaching is for improving performance and enabling growth and development. But, what if a client has both needs?
In her recent International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring article, Francine Campone presents an eye-opening case about a coaching client with a clinical diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder, where the intersection of coaching and counseling is clearly tested. As Campone notes, this case “offered an opportunity to observe and learn from such an intersection by constructing a case study from participants’ journals and interviews, observation and reference to peer-reviewed literature” (p. 2).
The case provides useful and thoughtful insights into critical steps for coaching in this context. In fact, Campone outlines five critical “checkpoints” for carefully managing the border between coaching and counseling. These checkpoints include:
- Establishing the relationship, roles and boundaries
- Establishing goals
- Maintaining trust and safety
- Fostering client-centered partnership
- Coaching processes
In the article, Campone provides details on what each of these checkpoints “looks like” for both the coach and client – a useful dual perspective. Interested in seeing more? Take a look at Table 1 on page 9 of the article.
Why shouldn’t clients with clinical diagnoses also enjoy the benefits of working with an executive coach? While counseling and appropriate treatment are essential, working with an executive coach can help clients with disorders live a richer life and flourish in spite of their diagnosis. The Campone case presents a valuable example of how to carefully work with clients with a clinical diagnosis, while still respecting the coaching/counseling border. Take a look at Campone’s full article. How can you use this case to help you provide better coaching services to clients or potential clients with a clinical diagnosis?
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