WHAT IS COACHING?
Overview
Coaching practices being mindful of the present and taking active steps needed in moving towards a future direction.
Coaching is task and goal oriented, focusing on function rather than lack of function. Goals of coaching are to plan, to execute, and to achieve.
As a life and career coach, Dr. Mao strives to harness client's internal motivational drives, which are essential for lasting success.
To Get Started
What services might benefit you? Take the first step, connect with Dr. Mao today.
How is coaching different from therapy?
Focus
Coaching - Mindful of the present, future-oriented, goal-driven (personal development, career, performance).
Therapy - Processing the past, understanding how that integrates into the present, goal of healing emotional pain, growth from trauma, and improving mental health.
Client Needs
Coaching - Individuals who want to improve or achieve something specific (relationship at home, in the workplace, at school, personal growth and performance). They usually experience common emotional changes to life stressors and are generally psychologically healthy.
Therapy - Individuals experiencing psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, mood disturbances, grief and loss, sudden and ongoing traumatic experiences, and/or unresolved past issues among others.
Approach
Coaching - Action plans, accountability, skills building, performance feedback, mindset shifts, strategic planning. Framework and tools for goal-setting, motivation, strategy (i.e. Grow Model)
Therapy - Evidence based therapy models (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Supportive therapy among others)
Timeframe
Coaching - May be at regular intervals (weekly sessions), and may be done as short-term or as needed basis around milestones (preparing for college, transitioning to new career and promotions, returning to competition after injury, reintegration into employment after extended period of time away).
Therapy - Typically weekly sessions, but may vary. Short term may be 6-20 sessions over 2 - 6 months. Medium term may be 4 - 6 months. Long term or open ended therapy may be 1 year or more. The duration of therapy may depend on several factors like severity of symptoms, goals in treatment, and complexity of conditions.
Practitioner and Reimbursement
Life coaching is not regulated by a licensing body or have government oversight. Coaches do not necessarily need credentialing or be certified. Life coaches can practice and have clients all over the world (not limited to state specific services). They cannot diagnose, treat, or claim to address mental health issues. They usually follow ethics of certifying bodies (i.e. International Coaching Federation). Coaching services are not covered or reimbursed by health insurance.
Therapy is provided by licensed mental health practitioners including psychiatrists(MD/DO), psychologists (PhD/PsyD), LCSW/LPC/LMFT, and PMHNP. Licensed mental health practitioners provide therapy services in the state they are licensed and in the state that clients are residing. They are governed by licensing bodies, follow state-specific regulations, laws, ethics, and business codes. Therapy services are covered and may be reimbursed by health insurance.
Dr. Mao is a licensed psychiatrist in California. Dr. Mao is able to provide coaching, psychotherapy, and psychiatric services (evaluation, diagnosis, medication management) for clients.