By Lucy Myers, Founder and CEO, Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy (TCC)
If you're wondering whether you need therapy or coaching, then 'therapeutic coaching' - which combines the benefits of both ways of working - could be the answer you're looking for.
As psychotherapists and executive coaches, one of the questions we're most commonly asked by potential clients is whether we think they need coaching or therapy. The immediate answer is of course 'it depends', and further exploration will follow. What we usually find though, is that most people, in most situations, will benefit from a combination of the most appropriate theories, tools, and techniques of each way of working. Consciously or unconsciously, they've been drawn to the practice of 'therapeutic coaching'.
Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy (TCC)'s
model combines the solutions-focused energy of executive coaching with the healing empowerment of counselling and psychotherapy. Our clients tell us they enjoy the enhanced psychological insight and emotional depth that the trusting therapeutic relationship provides, while also feeling motivated and emboldened by the strategic structure and forward momentum of coaching.
People attracted to this approach are often high-achieving individuals who up until now have been able to effectively navigate the creation of "a successful life". Now though, having found themselves in a particularly challenging personal or professional situation, they know they need guidance to understand their overwhelming emotions, but also crave a practice plan of action to move forwards with positivity.
How does therapeutic coaching help people?
Therapeutic coaches are highly experienced senior practitioners of both psychotherapy and executive coaching, and qualified to work across the whole spectrum of high performance and mental health and wellbeing.
This means they can tailor their approach to the unique background, circumstances, and objectives of each individual client, team, or group, enabling:
a deep understanding of the origins of the psychological difficulty and physiological distress
the development of techniques to improve emotional regulation
psychological insight into themselves and their personal and professional relationships with others
enhanced self-awareness that identifies unhealthy patterns of behaviour, and unblocks self-limiting beliefs and unconscious barriers to change
the creation of actionable strategies for long term emotional and behavioural change, with impact that is energising and sustainable beyond the sessions
The clinical experience of TCC's therapeutic coaches is further bolstered by strong corporate leadership backgrounds, adding an invaluable understanding of the highs and lows of corporate life and challenging business environments to the work.
What problems can therapeutic coaching help with?
Therapeutic coaching recognises that work and home lives overlap, and success or failure in one world will inevitably impact the other. TCC's holistic approach works with the whole person, to achieve a sense of 'flow' and flourishing at work and play.
Common themes include:
Feelings of emotional dysregulation and being overwhelmed (anxiety, stress, sadness and fragility)
Frustration and anger at lack of career evolution, feeling stuck and/or blocked from progressing
Transitions into a new role or company, or back into work after a significant access (maternity/paternity/long term sickness)
Feelings of demotivation, disconnection, emptiness, disassociation and depression
'Imposter syndrome': a feeling of faking it, fearing being 'found out', and stuck within exhausting patterns of behaviour as a result (e.g. overworking)
Executive burnout: long term chronic stress that has resulted in physical and psychological distress that cannot be overcome without professional intervention
Relationship difficulties: conflict with others, avoidance of people or of addressing problems, 'people pleasing' behaviours leading to resentment
Unhealthy coping mechanisms: substance or alcohol abuse, risky behaviour, gambling, overworking, lack of personal and professional boundaries
Neurodiversity: understanding an adult diagnosis in order to build on natural strengths and develop positive strategies to reach acceptance and overcome challenges
What tools, techniques and theories does therapeutic coaching draw on
We believe the deeper the understanding of the difficulty, the higher the quality of the solution facilitated.
TCC's therapeutic coaches draw on multiple executive coaching and psychotherapy techniques to ask challenging and insightful questions that enhance self-awareness, performance, job satisfaction and mental wellbeing.
TCC associates are accredited to use psychometric assessment tools to help people identify their strengths and build self-confidence (Strengthscope, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment), and help teams boost performance and build closer working relationships (Team Connect 360). The psychotherapeutic experience includes psychodynamic, person-centred, gestalt, existential, Transactional Analysis, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Additionally we draw on an understanding of neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory, a scientific framework for understanding the human nervous system, to optimise physical and mental health.
Find out more about TCC's therapeutic coaches integrate these theories and techiques into work with clients in practice in our blog 'How does therapeutic coaching work? A Case Study'.
Who does therapeutic coaching work best for?
We believe the warm, empathic, and solutions-focused nature of therapeutic coaching means everyone will benefit from working in this way. People will particularly enjoy and benefit from TCC's approach if they:
value working collaboratively, creatively and strategically
would like to work within a trusting, non-judgemental relationship with their therapeutic coach
have a level of psychological curiosity about what makes us struggle and thrive as human beings
are motivated to change and ready to commit time and energy to the process
have personal values that align with TCC team members, including warmth and empathy, common sense and pragmatism, and holding a diverse and systemic perspective
Conclusion
As TCC therapeutic coaches we feel privileged to be able to work with and support people across all areas of the high performance and mental health spectrum. And it truly is a spectrum. The reality is that we all move forwards and backwards across it at some point or other in our lives and careers, because 'life' happens to all of us, some things are just hard, and some things are very much out of our control. But there are always things that are within our power to change, and with the right support we can move forwards through any situation, no matter how sticky and uncomfortable. If we think of our mental wellbeing and career fulfilment as a metaphorical elevator, with (for the sake of argument) perhaps a new promotion or industry award at the penthouse level, it's important to remember we don't have to plunge to the depths of the basement before we get off and seek help.
There is another way to live.
At TCC we believe everyone deserves opportunity to learn how to become the best versions of ourselves possible, and to flourish and thrive in our personal and professional lives. We also believe that support should be available at accessible price points that deliver high value for money. Our TCC services are all designed with this in mind. If, after reading this, you think therapeutic coaching might be right for you, your team, or your organisation, get in touch for a chat to explore how we can help.
About Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy (TCC)
Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy was created in response to a recognised need for workplace support that enhances individual mental health and resilience whilst also facilitating the achievement of challenging personal and professional goals.
The TCC model of therapeutic coaching combines the solutions-focused energy and structure of executive coaching with the psychological insight and emotional depth of psychotherapy, empowering individuals and teams to flourish and thrive.
TCC's team of associates are highly experienced and accredited dual-practitioners of both psychotherapy and executive coaching, bolstered by corporate backgrounds of senior leadership roles, HR and organisational development experience, and skills in designing and delivering corporate personal development training and workshops.
We offer a unique combination of evidence-based services that support organisations to achieve both high performance and mental wellbeing for individuals, teams, and groups.
About Lucy Myers, Founder and CEO, Therapeutic Coaching Consultancy
Lucy Myers is an Integrative Psychotherapist (MA) Executive Coach (PG Cert/ILM Level 7), an Accredited Senior Practitioner with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), a Registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and Chair of the BACP Coaching Division Executive Committee.Â
Prior to retraining, Lucy enjoyed a media career spanning two decades in a range of senior leadership roles in UK based on global companies. A certified practitioner in Systemic Team Coaching, Coaching Supervisor for other professionals, and experienced Leadership Trainer, she now specialises in working with individuals and teams across a broad spectrum of workplace challenges and industry sectors.
Lucy is passionate about sharing her own experience of how enhancing self-awareness and self-compassion creates more psychologically safe, diverse, and inclusive workplaces, leading to happier, healthier, and ultimately higher performing individuals and teams.
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