Ethics & Boundaries
The most critical skill for any professional coach is knowing when not to coach. Understand the strict boundaries between coaching and clinical therapy to protect your clients and your practice.
Coaching
- Future-Focused: Looks at where the client is now and where they want to go.
- Action-Oriented: Focuses on setting goals, creating strategies, and accountability.
- Baseline Wellness: Assumes the client is mentally healthy and capable of functioning normally.
- "How" Questions: "How can we move forward?" "What are the next steps?"
Therapy
- Past/Present-Focused: Looks at past experiences and how they impact present behavior.
- Healing-Oriented: Focuses on diagnosing, treating, and healing mental health conditions.
- Restoring Function: Helps clients who are struggling to function in their daily lives.
- "Why" Questions: "Why do you feel this way?" "Where does this stem from?"
Immediate Referral Red Flags
If a client exhibits any of the following, you must pause coaching and refer them to a mental health professional immediately:
Talk of self-harm or harm to others
Inability to perform daily tasks (sleeping, eating, working)
Substance abuse interfering with life or sessions
Experiencing delusions or severe detachment from reality
Processing deep, unresolved past trauma or abuse
Severe, persistent mood swings or hopelessness
Knowledge Check: Coach or Refer?
Scenario 1 of 5"A client comes to you wanting to figure out why they always sabotage their romantic relationships. They mention it probably stems from childhood trauma with their parents."
How to Make a Referral
Referring a client doesn't mean you failed; it means you are an ethical professional. Use this script framework when a referral is necessary:
"I really appreciate you sharing that with me. As a coach, my expertise is in helping you set future goals and build strategies to achieve them.
However, what you're describing—[mention the specific issue, e.g., processing childhood trauma/managing severe depression]—falls outside my professional scope of practice.
To ensure you get the best possible support, I highly recommend connecting with a licensed mental health professional who is specially trained to help you navigate this. We can pause our coaching for now, and I'd be happy to resume once you and your therapist feel you are ready."
However, what you're describing—[mention the specific issue, e.g., processing childhood trauma/managing severe depression]—falls outside my professional scope of practice.
To ensure you get the best possible support, I highly recommend connecting with a licensed mental health professional who is specially trained to help you navigate this. We can pause our coaching for now, and I'd be happy to resume once you and your therapist feel you are ready."