My name is Jennifer. I'm an alcoholic in recovery. I'm also a student studying to become a recovery coach. I never had a recovery coach back in the day - I'd never even heard of one, and I wonder if a coach might have helped me. Today, I want to be for people what I wish I'd had - a partner in recovery.
I am required to practice coaching and I'm looking for volunteers - people who would like to work with a recovery coach - for free.
Please email me at jenniferpwrites@gmail.com if you'd like to discuss how it works. 1st and foremost, coaching is NOT therapy and I am not a therapist. Coaching is about looking together through the windshield of your life (not in the rear view mirror) and planning the best route to get you where you want to go.
My written step work is between me and mine - you know that! And that's not how I play doctor ...
Coaching isn't about step-work and it's also not about therapy. As a matter of fact - the steps (and clinical work - traumas - past stuff) aren't addressed in coaching at all for the very reason that they need to be addressed with a sponsor (or a therapist). Those aren't the roles I'm introducing. Coaching is about addressing present hurdles and goals and ideas. It's a partnership. I like this analogy: The client - you - is the author of your future. Your coach can help you write it.
There are many coach designations - life coach, relationship, wellness, end of life, business ... yada yada. I chose recovery because that's what's close to my heart. It's my way of giving back.
I invite people who might be interested, and those with questions to message me via my profile. I didn't intend to create a topic on coaching - I just wanted to let the forum know that I'm a student looking to become the best recovery coach in the whole universe and that I'll appreciate any and all help.
Best,
Jennifer
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Thursday 16th of February 2017 05:53:49 PM
It would help if you had credentials.
How do I know you are not some sick serial killer trolling recovery message boards.
I would like to be a friend to you but I'm a Thomas and I gotta see the goods first. :)
I've looked at your HomePage.
Nature is a colorful artist.
You say you have no credentials. Maybe we could work on getting you some. :)
It would help your career. Waddaya' say?
Anyone interested in more coaching information is invited to send me a private message here or email me directly. My email address is available under my profile.
This 'coach'n thingy sounds a lot like 'sponsorship' ... I would think a 'coach' would need some time and experience know'n how to get and stay sober in order to qualify ... AND the whole purpose of this board is to associate with other 'like-minded' people wish'n to help each other out ... no matter what 'name' you give to the process ...
Welcome to MIP Jennifer, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Yes, coaching sounds like a lot of things until one does a little research.
Coaching can be defined as "Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential..." and "Sponsors in 12-step programs focus on the steps and traditions to help people stay clean and sober. Recovery coaches are not necessarily affiliated with a 12-step program and focus on the present and future in helping clients make lifestyle changes and move forward to meet their goals and increase their life satisfaction."
Unlike sponsorship - where it is suggested that the sponsor has some time in recovery before taking on the role - coaching requires patience, an ability to actively listen and ask open ended questions, and the capacity to allow the client to find his or her OWN answers. The coach is not in the role of providing answers or leading clients to answers. The coach's role is to help clients reach their own conclusions because they have their own answers.
Coaching is not sponsorship. It's also not mentoring, training, therapy, or consulting. All coaches learn the exact same material - foundational work - before they begin training on their chosen focus. If a person chooses not to assign themselves a designation (and take extra classes) - a relationship coach for example - that person would simply be a certified life coach.
Was this helpful?
I joined to introduce myself and take part in.
:)
Best.
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Sunday 19th of February 2017 01:50:42 PM
I'm an old fart and probably don't have enough good brain cells to differentiate the difference here ... to me, there is very little difference between the two terms ... the term 'sponsor' takes on several definitions as does the term 'coach' ...
Or maybe it's just that the two are so closely related??? ...
Or maybe it's that your description of a coach is nearly exactly the process I used with my sponsees ... I don't know ... I don't see it as that important as long as we agree that we are alcoholics helping other alcoholics to achieve sobriety the best way we know how, by example and by leading them in the right direction ... the same way our sponsors showed us ...
Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Okay. Well - Pappy/Marc, you made a valid point with this - "Or maybe it's that your description of a coach is nearly exactly the process I used with my sponsees "
Plenty of people coach without even realizing they're doing it. It happens naturally with some people and apparently - you're one of them. I was just telling my dad the other day that he's been coaching me my entire life. I also told him that while on occasion he'd been brilliant at it, there were also times it had felt exactly like harassment and condemnation, but that's a different thread ...
Here's one difference - while a great sponsor will coach, a great coach won't sponsor.
A second difference is that sponsoring is a free service. Coaching is not.
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Monday 20th of February 2017 11:48:03 AM
Okay ... I guess I can go along with that ... it's really no big deal to me ... In AA we learn to give away what we've been so freely given, so that is my goal ...
And NO, i am not Marc ... we are two very different individuals ... Marc is NUTS and I'm just CRAZY ... LOL ...
Love ya and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I was just thinking, as a recovered alcoholic, life's hurdles and so forth are just part of life. Nothing to do with recovery, everything to do with personal growth. These are universal issues which everyone faces. I would think a life coach would be of more use to me. Recovery is already taken care of.
Thanks for your comments. You hit the nail on the head.
All coaches are life coaches. A coach who refers to him or herself as a life coach is simply someone who didn't take extra courses in a specific niche. That said, any coach can be helpful to anyone.
The niches / designations are there for everyone - client and coach - to choose from because people want to be able to relate to their coach on specific topics. And we want to be able to relate to our clients. A client looking for coaching on making an important business decision - like whether to put income into marketing or investments - is probably going to choose a business coach over a recovery coach. A family facing uncertainties regarding the inevitable loss of a sick loved one will likely choose an end of life coach over a business coach for obvious reasons.
A client in recovery might feel more comfortable hiring a recovery coach over a life coach (even though a recovery coach IS a life coach) simply because the client will go into it with the understanding that they speak the same language.
Coaching is about focusing on personal growth. And clients and coaches alike want to feel relatable.
You can compare the niches in coaching to genres and writers. Most authors write in a specific genre. Some write children's books. Others write horror. Others focus on romance. All writers have one thing in common - they're writers. Same thing goes for coaches. Regardless of the kind of coach they call themselves, all coaches are life coaches first. It's what they have in common.
Okay, it's all start'n to make more sense now ... I was just have'n difficulty wrap'n my head around the subject ... you know, semantics 'n' all that ...
Hey FS, where's your Port these days???
Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Hi Pappy,
I'm still in Malaysia, but the work on the boat is progressing and I could be sailing again soon, God willing. I have met a nice Thai lady who has joined the crew and I think the next base will be Thailand for a while.
Had a pretty wonderful time in Penang recently, celebrating my 37th AA birthday. The AA guys not only gave me a chip, but also a beautiful cake. Penang is the nearest AA group to where I am, about three hours drive.
Oh WOW ... yeah, I bet your boat does require a fair amount of maintenance with extended sailing ... good luck with the updates ... and it sounds exciting to have a new crew member ... Thailand huh???, ... sounds beautiful ... (a few pics would be nice)
Congrats on the BIG 37 ... doubt I'll live that long ... I fig'r having a sober day today is good ... that and pray for another one tomorrow when it comes ...
Be safe and enjoy yourself and those around you ... Love ya Brother and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Hello Jennifer;
I am not familiar with 'Recovery Coaching' since I do not have the PlayBook.
I have not seen your written recovery work either so I assume you do not
have any or you do not want to show me what you do have.
In the hands of a LesserDrunk this could be a problem but I do not think it is a ShowStopper.
Therefore, in an effort to foster FellowShip I will give you the benefit of the doubt
and work with you if you so desire. JenniferPWrites so ShowMe. :)
Our Methods may differ but Sobriety is the common goal isn't it?.
Anyway, I have Doodled a FrameWork to make use of some AA tools and all you have to do is share(WriteALittle).
I put the Doodle in TheZone somewhere on my WebSite and if you are willing to do a little work
I'll give you a link to access it. Once completed You may keep a copy of it for your portfolio if you like.
Some people think I'm crazy...
Well, ThisShitWorks and come March 08, 2017 I'll have 21 Years Sober doing it this way.
If you want it, you can have it and there is 'No Charge'.
Love;
Marc
I don't think you understand. First - my written recovery work has nothing to do with anything here, and second - it's inappropriate for you to ask to see it. "I have not seen your written recovery work either so I assume you do not have any or you do not want to show me what you do have."
I could be a sponsor, but I don't want to be a sponsor. I've never wanted to be a sponsor. I want something different. I've been a freelance writer for over ten years and now I'm in the process of switching careers to become a coach. I'm a student enrolled in an accredited coaching program.
"Sobriety is the common goal isn't it?" No Marc, it isn't. Not if the client isn't an addict. If, on the other hand, someone can't stay sober, he or she might hire a recovery coach. Not to work the 12 steps, but to design a plan to help him or her stay sober. AA isn't the only path into and through recovery. AAers don't agree with this, but that's okay. And it's also not the point. The point is to help clients find their OWN answers / solutions - addict or not - in recovery or not.
These are a few examples of a coaching session: someone new in recovery wants help figuring out how to break it to his wife that he wants to become a vegetarian. Or - a non addict client wants to learn how to create and enforce boundaries with a friend who refuses to go to treatment. Or - someone new in recovery wants to leave the restaurant business in order to better protect her sobriety, but is unsure what she wants to do instead. Or - a non-addict parent of an addict teen in treatment wants to learn how to better communicate with the teen after treatment. The list goes on. And the 12 steps / AA aren't involved in any of it.
Fyne Spirit wrote it well "...a recovered alcoholic, life's hurdles and so forth are just part of life. Nothing to do with recovery, everything to do with personal growth. These are universal issues which everyone faces. I would think a life coach would be of more use to me. Recovery is already taken care of."
EXACTLY. That is well written, succinct and deserves a high-five!
Recovery coaches are life coaches and they don't need to be addicts in recovery. It just makes sense that they would be.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I didn't anticipate that there would be so much confusion around this.
"I have not seen your written recovery work either so I assume you do not have any or you do not want to show me what you do have."
Actually I do have stuff I could show you but I am experiencing technical difficulties at the moment.
As the result of letting myself get suckered into a WebSiteFight I retaliated with Nuke Evo Extreme SmamBot Killer and my site got BlackListed. It must have been quite the Ruckus I imagine.
Anyway, I have backups for my data so it's no big deal. My EMail address works so You can email me if you want and I'll send it. :)
Not everyone here is here to help others ... some of the posts here can be inappropriate at best ... it's unfortunate, but some people like to upset the Apple Cart rather than try to offer honest help to those struggling with this fatal disease ...
rdy4change, ... if you stick around and look through some of the B.S. ... you'll find pearls of wisdom here that can be the difference between success and failure where sobriety is the main objective ... try to focus on what makes sense and leave what needs to be ignored ....
Love ya and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I don't think you understand. First - my written recovery work has nothing to do with anything here, and second - it's inappropriate for you to ask to see it. "I have not seen your written recovery work either so I assume you do not have any or you do not want to show me what you do have."
I could be a sponsor, but I don't want to be a sponsor. I've never wanted to be a sponsor. I want something different. I've been a freelance writer for over ten years and now I'm in the process of switching careers to become a coach. I'm a student enrolled in an accredited coaching program.
"Sobriety is the common goal isn't it?" No Marc, it isn't. Not if the client isn't an addict. If, on the other hand, someone can't stay sober, he or she might hire a recovery coach. Not to work the 12 steps, but to design a plan to help him or her stay sober. AA isn't the only path into and through recovery. AAers don't agree with this, but that's okay. And it's also not the point. The point is to help clients find their OWN answers / solutions - addict or not - in recovery or not.
These are a few examples of a coaching session: someone new in recovery wants help figuring out how to break it to his wife that he wants to become a vegetarian. Or - a non addict client wants to learn how to create and enforce boundaries with a friend who refuses to go to treatment. Or - someone new in recovery wants to leave the restaurant business in order to better protect her sobriety, but is unsure what she wants to do instead. Or - a non-addict parent of an addict teen in treatment wants to learn how to better communicate with the teen after treatment. The list goes on. And the 12 steps / AA aren't involved in any of it.
Fyne Spirit wrote it well "...a recovered alcoholic, life's hurdles and so forth are just part of life. Nothing to do with recovery, everything to do with personal growth. These are universal issues which everyone faces. I would think a life coach would be of more use to me. Recovery is already taken care of."
EXACTLY. That is well written, succinct and deserves a high-five!
Recovery coaches are life coaches and they don't need to be addicts in recovery. It just makes sense that they would be.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I didn't anticipate that there would be so much confusion around this.
Hmm.
Some of the confusion could be around negative feedback recovery coaching got ten or fifteen years ago. It was regarded as a way to charge for sponsorship. And there were always people looking to make a dollar out of the suffering alcoholic. Sober living houses can be an example. I know of a couple where the householder basically lives without having to work, pays no taxes, offers his "guests" nothing but a room. They can be quite sick places because many of the guests are very unwell and easily taken advantage of.
I was thinking the difference in the discussion, or distinction of you like, is that a recovery coach is not a sponsor, nor should they be, and a sponsor is not a life coach, nor should they be.
Recovery coaching could be a useful resource, especially for those not keen on the spiritual path. If the sponsor is teachong the program correctly, and leading the newcomer to his own relationship with the God of his/her understanding, as the person becomes recovered and gains experience with step eleven, the need for a life coach tends to evaporate.
I had to laugh at Marcs "inappropriate" request. That word, inappropriate is very politically correct, but doesn't really have much meaning. Our politicians are masters of its use. Certain behaviours, actions, words, deeds are appropriate or inappropriate according to popular doctrine. The words right and wrong being too definite and judmental in meaning perhaps.
On my headstone I will have the Legend "Here Lies Mike - He was Completely Inappropriate."
"Some of the confusion could be around negative feedback recovery coaching got ten or fifteen years ago. It was regarded as a way to charge for sponsorship."
That isn't interesting. It looks like contempt prior to investigation. Are you familiar with that principle?
"...a recovery coach is not a sponsor, nor should they be, and a sponsor is not a life coach, nor should they be."
A coach's job isn't to sponsor. Sponsors can coach all they like - the good ones do whether they know it or not.
"Recovery coaching could be a useful resource, especially for those not keen on the spiritual path"
Coaching is a useful resource for ANYONE - regardless of their path - interested in learning how to work with one.
"If the sponsor is teachong the program correctly, and leading the newcomer to his own relationship with the God of his/her understanding, as the person becomes recovered and gains experience with step eleven, the need for a life coach tends to evaporate."
You're comaparing sponsorship to coaching. You've never used a coach and unfortunately, your logic isn't a good substitute for direct experience.
"That word, inappropriate is very politically correct, but doesn't really have much meaning."
That just looks foolish.
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Sunday 12th of March 2017 05:08:56 PM
In order to enlighten myself a little I looked around a found an interview with Laurie Fear(Recovery coach). Here is an exerpt from that interview:
Most good coaches offer a free consultation session to determine whether or not the coach and client are well-suited to working together. A good recovery coach will screen clients for serious mental health and past trauma issues better served by a therapist and will make appropriate referrals. Asking for the coachs training credentials and work experience is highly recommended. A good recovery coach will also have a thorough knowledge of the science behind the disease of addiction and will not promote any one specific pathway to recovery.
When trying to get a job I first submit a Resume(credentials)
If it is accepted there is an interview...
"Some of the confusion could be around negative feedback recovery coaching got ten or fifteen years ago. It was regarded as a way to charge for sponsorship."
That isn't interesting. It looks like contempt prior to investigation. Are you familiar with that principle?
"...a recovery coach is not a sponsor, nor should they be, and a sponsor is not a life coach, nor should they be."
A coach's job isn't to sponsor. Sponsors can coach all they like - the good ones do whether they know it or not.
"Recovery coaching could be a useful resource, especially for those not keen on the spiritual path"
Coaching is a useful resource for ANYONE - regardless of their path - interested in learning how to work with one.
"If the sponsor is teachong the program correctly, and leading the newcomer to his own relationship with the God of his/her understanding, as the person becomes recovered and gains experience with step eleven, the need for a life coach tends to evaporate."
You're comaparing sponsorship to coaching. You've never used a coach and unfortunately, your logic isn't a good substitute for direct experience.
"That word, inappropriate is very politically correct, but doesn't really have much meaning."
That just looks foolish.
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Sunday 12th of March 2017 05:08:56 PM
Drat! I went from appropriate to inappropriate rather quickly there.
It is a fact that recovery coaching got some very negative press a few years ago.
You have strong opinions on sponsorship, but no experience, do not sponsor and do not want to be a sponsor. That tells me you have missed the whole point of the AA spiritual path to permanent recovery.
Not interested in life coaches. Those that can - do, those that cant - teach (coach). God has been taking good care of me for a while now.
I was once sucked in to using a business coach. Big waste of money and time. I have a little direct experience with coaching, and a lot of direct experience sponsoring.
As for logic being a poor substitute for direct experience, sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black to me. But thanks for the inventory.
"That just looks foolish" - Who cares? Rule 62.
-- Edited by Fyne Spirit on Monday 13th of March 2017 08:38:05 AM
I introduced myself as a student offering free sessions to interested folks. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you've turned my intention here into a job search. Why you would do that - maybe you don't have anything else to do. I don't know.
Fyne,
Self-righteousness wears you well. AA works for some people. It doesn't work for everyone who works it, and it doesn't work for everyone that keeps going back. You don't have to believe this for it to be true.
"You have strong opinions on sponsorship, but no experience, do not sponsor and do not want to be a sponsor. That tells me you have missed the whole point of the AA spiritual path to permanent recovery."
Arrogance wears you well, too. I take what I need from AA and leave the rest. For example - some of what I don't take is a belief in other people like yourself who not only believe that AA is the only way, but have the audacity to insult and criticize others for finding recovery elsewhere. That attitude / belief is not loving, its not healthy, its not helpful, and it speaks volumes about a persons narrow-mindedness and intolerance.
I can't relate. My intention as a coach is to support any and every path a person chooses. What works for that person IS their path.
"God has been taking good care of me for a while now." Where does your ego end and God begin ?
"As for logic being a poor substitute for direct experience, sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black to me. But thanks for the inventory." No. It doesnt sound like that. You cant turn this around to benefit your agenda. This thread isn't about sponsoring and it isnt about my opinion on sponsoring.
That's all. My email address is under my profile. Members who would like to reach out directly are welcome to.
Best.
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Monday 13th of March 2017 01:02:43 PM
-- Edited by MicroMacro on Monday 13th of March 2017 01:04:02 PM
Dear Jennifer;
Before I work with you, you must first convince me that you are a Real Alcoholic.
There is no way around this so don't bother trying.
Fill in the blanks on the Doodle and we'll go from there. :)
Thanks again for the inventory, though I don't feel it is justified. Self righteous Arrogant Insulting Critical Narrow minded Egotistical. Intolerant.
You've drawn a long bow to reach those conclusions. If that is an example of your recovery in action, I think I'll give it a miss. One of those cute little AA sayings comes to mind. When you point your finger at someone, there are three pointing back at you.
-- Edited by Fyne Spirit on Tuesday 14th of March 2017 04:13:17 AM
Once again, I am reminded that I am not alone and that there is FellowShip on this here forum. :)
Thank You;
There be Funky Coachin' goin' on Too. I hope we didn't hurt Jennifer's feelings too much.
*** Begin Octopus Joke ***
An octopus goes into a bar and says:
"I can play ANY musical instrument you like".
An Englishman gives him a guitar which he plays better than Hendrix.
An Irishman gives him a piano which he plays better than Elton
A Scotsman throws him a set of bag pipes
The Octopus fumbles about for a couple of minutes...
The Scotsman then says:
"whats wrong laddie, can ye no play it?"
Octopus says:
"Play it...? - I'm gonna Fuck her brains out, once i get her Pyjamas off!
Since it was UnClear whether Jennifer was 'Looking to Coach' or 'Looking to be Coached' some sort of HigherPower with a firm hand and sense of humor hijacked this thread. :)
