Working with clients and patients
Using coaching within OT holds so much potential. It maybe just changing the way you use questions in your work or it may be using coaching in a more structured way.
Following a workshop on coaching skills, one OT emailed me 2 days later very excited by how he had changed his approach to a client and the result that followed
“Today, following a brief telephone conversation with a service user, we managed to move from the terrible headaches he experienced all day every day, to how brilliant his life is at the moment, apparently the best it has ever been.”
Imagine how continued coaching could help if this is the result from one short telephone conversation!
Mental Health
Coaching is being used in various Mental Health services including stress management, recovery programmes and return to work programmes. Coaching is often used to look at issues around meaning and purpose.
Prevention and Wellbeing
Many coaches work in the area of “wellbeing” and this fits well with an OT approach to Health Promotion. Lifestyle issues such as weight loss, smoking cessation, fitness and stress management can all be addressed successfully by coaching if the client is willing and committed to the process.
Children
Issues such as communication, confidence, self esteem, identity, transition, career planning and goal setting are often covered.
Other applications include working with:
- carers
- service user involvement
- learning disabilities
- older people: retirement planning, participation, inclusion
- condition management