Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice [Hardcover]

Patrick Williams (Author), Deborah C. Davis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 039370341X | ISBN-13: 978-0393703412 | Publication Date: April 2002 | Edition: 1

This text for health professionals considers the transition into the dynamic field of life coaching. It explores life coaching as a profession, examines the relationship between life coaching and therapy, and details the variety of options for professionals considering either a transition into coaching or expanding their practices to include coaching. This work is one-stop-shopping for the therapist wishing to explore the coaching field. Chapters include: the history and evolution of life coaching; therapy and coaching; distinctions and similarities; getting started as a life coach; the basic life coaching model; developing and marketing your life coaching practice; and self-care for life coaches.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Patrick Williams lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, and Deborah C. Davis lives in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039370341X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393703412
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Patrick Williams, psychologist, author, and master certified coach, has his masters in Humanistic Psychology and doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology, where he also studied psychosynthesis. He is a pioneer in the field of Life Coaching and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training (www.LifeCoachTraining.com), and his non profit organization Coaching the Global Village
(www.CoachingTheGlobalVillage.org)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helping "Helping Professionals" Reclaim Their Passion, July 7, 2004

By 

Coach Phil "Author of over 500 articles at ww... (Eugene, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice (Hardcover)

This a an extraordinary book that belongs on the shelves (and in the heart) of every therapist AND every coach. Frankly, I've heard Pat Williams speak, so I fully expected to like the book, but even so, I was surprised by just how good, how inspiring, practical and helpful it is. Williams and Davis do a great service for mental health workers, counselors, social workers and Psychologists by affirming the power of what "we" do, and by expanding the boundaries within which we operate. At the same time, they also provide a great reminder for coaches of what WE do, how we do it, and how powerful it is!

The book is elegantly laid-out, easy to follow and powerfully practical. The heart of the message is that caring for and WITH people truly matters. Whether we are labeled as "mental health practitioners" or "spiritual ministers" or coaches, we all use highly sophisticated skills, some that are ancient and timeless, and others that are new and scientifically "proven," to help people transform their lives.

The book is directly aimed at "helping professionals." The message is that what mental health professionals do is IMPORTANT, even if insurance companies and (at times) our culture fails to appreciate it. Williams and Davis present practical, do-able paths that allow professionals to reclaim their independence and do the work they love and are trained to do well.

The exciting part of the book for me, as a Psychologist who has already transitioned into coaching, was the delightful, passionate reminder of what coaches actually DO! While this is an introduction or over-view of coaching, I found the reminders, the affirmations, and the passion extremely helpful. As "people experts" it is good to be reminded of how much we know, how skilled we are, how many "tools" we have in our toolbox!

I found the book easily readable, very well-thought-out, and helpful. I highly recommend it for (1) anyone considering entering the field of coaching, (2) mental health professionals who are tired or restless and looking for a new challenge, and (3) for coaches who want a helpful survey of the skills and strengths we bring to our work. All three groups will get a tremendous lift and find it a helpful read.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Don't Have to be a Therapist to Benefit from this Book., June 11, 2003

By 

Grant R. Schnarr "Author" (Bryn Athyn, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice (Hardcover)

This book goes far beyond helping therapists transition into life coaching. It gives the reader a very clear and exciting introduction to this new and upcoming field. It was my first real introduction to coaching, yet after training in the field and went back and read it again and got even more out of it.
The book explains the difference between coaching and therapy, and also helps the reader decide which is best for her/him. Exercises are provided to help the reader's decision making. The way the book is put together the authors quite effectively coach the reader toward the possibilities and the joys of coaching. They also spend a good number of pages on how to start a coaching business. I loved it. As an aspiring life-coach I say "thank you."

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Pratice, August 17, 2002

By 

Chuck Berke "Charles W Berke" (Fairfield, Ct United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice (Hardcover)

Pat Williams and Deborah Davis have crafted an excellent "How To" guide for therapists and others who want to enliven their lives and their practices. What I like best about this book is that it does not assume that the reader has no backgrond or skill but rather acknowledges the readers skills and helps them to see how they fit into the world of Life Coaching. The book is very well written, well thought out and well structured. Reading it is a great way for a prospective coach to find out about the field and to gain insight as to whether or not it is a fit for them. It is also a wonderful review and refresher for those of us already coaching because it covers the basics in such an interseting and informative manner.I highly recomend it.