Therapist as Life Coach: Transforming Your Practice (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Deborah C. Davis (Author) "Around 1990, there was little mention of coaching except in the corporate culture..." (more)
Key Phrases: life coaching relationship, life coaching agreement, compassionate edge, Dave Ellis, Carl Jung, Cheryl Richardson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The recent popularity of personal coaching has received much media attention. Here, two experienced coaches provide helping professionals with a comprehensive guide to the field of life coaching. Case vignettes, exercises, and practical advice will aid therapists who wish to expand their practices into this exciting new field.

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 (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #540,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 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 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.

14 of 14 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 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."

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Have to Read This Book!, December 8, 2003

By	Stephen Fairley (Wheaton, IL USA) - See all my reviews

There are 3 kinds of people who must read this book:
1. Therapists who are looking to add professional coaching to their list of services or who are making a transition away from traditional therapy into life coaching.
2. Professional Coaches who specialize or want to specialize in life coaching.
3. Established Life Coaches.

There is something for everyone in this book, but particularly for these 3 groups of people there is NO BETTER BOOK AVAILABLE to help you make this transition in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

Pat Williams is one of America's Top Professional Coaches. In addition to his nationally recognized coach training program (lifecoachtraining.com), he is also on the board of the International Coach Federation (coachfederation.org), one of the top speakers in the field, and on the cutting-edge of standardizing and professionalizing the field of coaching.

I can't recommend this book high enough. I firmly believe this book should be on the bookshelf of every professional life coach.