Recently I’ve run across therapists and counselors that have been identifying themselves as coaches. Recently I spoke with a therapist who moved to Arizona who was interested in continuing seeing patients online via telemedicine in her home state where she is licensed, while finding new clients in her new state of residency. This is not uncommon. Arizona attracts snowbirds, and licensed mental health counselors and therapists that take advantage of the great winter weather and the mobility now offered by coaching via online video conferencing. Coaching is a simple solution for these professionals who are looking to expand their practices without complicated processes.
Out of the many types of coaches and mental health professionals, I’ve identified coaches, therapists, and therapists that coach. Is this ethical? Do you see a problem with this? We would like to know your opinions (see contact information below).
From review of literature on coaching and counseling across state lines, the following topics are considerations:
1. Complicated Licensing Laws Out of Date?
Some suggest that licensing laws are no longer current, complicated and add extra costs. Coaching or counseling across state lines can be a semantic relief for licensed professionals.
- Code of Ethicsand Boundaries: Coaching organizations, especially the ICF, have standards and boundaries for coaches to follow, however the industry remains unlicensed and unregulated. No official authority exists to govern the practice of coaching. Coaches are also relieved of licensing boards, which allows coaches to practice independently and collect bills without oversight. Is it then unethical for counselors to practice as coaches across state lines? Or is it just convenient since as a coach they can now freely practice, get paid and run and expand their business?
- HIPAA and Confidentiality Regulations:Coaches are not necessarily healthcare professionals, and may not be regulated by HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act). If the confidentiality or privacy of the client is breached, the client has little or no protection by law. Counselors understand the rules of confidentiality in healthcare and such relationships, which may ease a client’s concern for confidentiality. Similarly, although there is no law in place binding coaches to confidentiality, many sign confidentiality agreements and ICF Coaches are bound by the ICF Code of Ethics.
- Insurance & Liability:For the licensed counselor it may seem appealing that coaches are relieved of the overhead costs of malpractice insurance and the reliability related to practicing in healthcare. Though a coach can purchase malpractice coverage, it is not a required.
- Medical Attention and Medication: Coaches are trained to not step over the boundaries between mental health issues and coaching. Counselors already work closely with physicians; coaches can do the same, especially considering that now licensed therapists are now practicing as coaches. With that in mind, coaches can offer extra assistance to patients already seeing mental health providers. Patients who are suffering or recovering from mental illness of substance abuse can surely benefit from coaching while still getting the attention they need from a medical and/or mental health professional. Why not work together for the best possible care for patients?
Mental health professionals working with coaches, is this a new frontier? Would you like to see mental health professionals working with coaches (and vice versa), what are the risks associated with patient care and ultimately, do you see a problem with counseling and coaching being practiced across state lines?
Please feel free to respond via email (info@itelcompanies.com).
Recent Comments