Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ethics of
Recovery Coaching
Module One
Ethics of Recovery Coaching
The ability to provide this support in the recovery process is extremely valuable to
both the individual and the coach. However, the vulnerability of both individuals,
especially the client is evident. The diagram below illustrates the strengths of the
coaching relationship in the recovery process.
Individuals can
Can be an Support coaching Recovery support
benefit from
adjunct to other spans a longer period relationships are
non-clinical based
services of time less hierarchical
service
1
http://www.bhrm.org/recoverysupport/EthicsPaperFinal6-8-07.pdf
Pre-recovery engagement
Recovery initiation
Recovery stabilization
Recovery maintenance
The question is: How does does one maintain ethical behavior in whilst serving in
this role? On the next page, you will see an interactive exercise to test yourself
with regards to your own understanding of recovery coaching and ethical behavior.
This has been adapted from an existing exercise.3 Put a checkmark in the appropri-
ate box.
2
http://www.bhrm.org/recoverysupport/EthicsPaperFinal6-8-07.pdf
Below, you will see an interactive exercise to test yourself with regards to your own under-
standing of recovery coaching and ethical behavior. This has been adapted from an existing
exercise.3 Put a checkmark in the appropriate box.
Zone of Zone of Zone of
Behavior of Recovery Coach in Recovery Safety Vulnerability Abuse
(Always okay) (Sometimes (Never okay)
Support Relationship okay; some-
times not)
Giving positive feedback
Giving constructive criticism or feedback
Giving compliments (You look terrific today)
Giving a hug
Giving a small gift or card (such as a birthday card)
Lending or borrowing money
Invitations to lunch or dinner
Invitations to your home or a friends home
Revealing personal details of your own problems
Giving examples of other peoples struggles
Attending a recovery meeting
Giving a client your cell number
Giving a client a non-personal cell number for emergency situations
Telling a client they can call you anytime, day or night
Engaging in a friendship outside of the coaching relationship
Engaging in a sexual relationship
Giving the client advice on a sexual matter
Advising the client you can give them other advice such as legal or
financial advice
Using profanity or drug slang to try and sound cool
3
http://www.bhrm.org/recoverysupport/EthicsPaperFinal6-8-07.pdf
The fact is, ethics is an enormous topic and there is only the possibility of scratching
the surface here. Recovery coaches will be, to some extent, like professional coun-
selors, on their own. Although there are laws and there are association policies and
procedures, each individual must, to a degree, govern their own actions.
Ethics and recovery coaching is also about the values that one adopts in their own
behavior on a daily basis. The ways in which we perform in our jobs and other obli-
gations reflects these values. Some of the values that have been recognized as being
important to the role of a recovery coach include the following:
Today, the notion of sending and receiving emails is almost like getting up and making ourselves a
cup of copy. Its so automatic, that we dont even think about it. But, sending and receiving emails
from a client (through establish channels only) IS a challenge. Heres a common way of sending
emails today:
SENDER: hey, how ya doin? me doin ok but don know what 2 do with my time as things
r a bit slow at the shop whatcha doin wit ur time 2day?
Unclear content
Use only an established professional email for contact, NOT a personal email
Obtain written permission from the client to send and receive emails
Provide clients with a list of issues and subjects that can and cannot be dealt with by phone
Provide the client with guidelines for what can and cannot be discussed via email
Advise the clients of the risk of sending personal information via email despite the fact that all
proper precautions will be in place (and advise the client of these precautions)
Send only the barest necessities via email do not get into long emails that provide detailed
advice this should be saved for in-person meetings, or phone or videoconferencing
Always use a formal, professional tone NEVER be impersonal or informal for example:
Dear Ms. Smith.Regards, Jane Doe this level of formality provides an appropriate boundary
between coach and client
Never add a BCC this is inappropriate add CC only when necessary or required, or requested
Keep information short and practical
Be very clear in the email about what you want/need to say
Make sure clients know that emails are an IMPRECISE form of communication and there could be
misunderstandings ask them to follow up with clarification questions as needed
MORE ON EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE ONLINE THERAPY INSTITUTE : Interacting Using
Email, SMS, @replies, and other on-site messaging systems: Practitioners are aware that third-
party services that offer direct messaging often provide limited security and privacy. Practitio-
ners remain aware that communicating on such systems with clients may expose confidential
client data to third parties. Practitioners inform clients at the beginning of treatment about
appropriate ways to contact them and let clients know that if they choose to send messages on
these networks, these messages may be intercepted by others. Practitioners are aware that all
messages exchanged with clients may become a part of the clinical and legal record, even when
strictly related to housekeeping issues such as change of contact information or scheduling ap-
pointments. All therapeutic communication should offer encryption security or the equivalent.
Practitioners should define the record according to the laws of their jurisdiction and according
to their defined professional scope of practice
Provide clients with guidelines for phone calls regular and emergency stick to these
guidelines and dont allow the client to misuse them
Obtain written permission from the client to send and receive emails
Provide clients with a list of issues and subjects that can and cannot be dealt with by phone
Make sure you have a secure line for the conversation a landline is best but if its a cellphone,
make sure the call cant be dropped
Make sure you have the amount of time available that you stated you would provide
Make sure the sound level is appropriate check with the client periodically to make certain
they can hear you
Ask the client for feedback once the call is over did the call work for you? What could be
improved?
At the end of each phone call write down detailed notes just as if this had been an in-person
session and place them in the clients file
Provide clients with guidelines for videoconferencing regular and emergency stick to these
guidelines and dont allow the client to misuse them
Obtain written permission from the client to provide services via Skype or other technology
Provide clients with a list of issues and subjects that can and cannot be dealt with in video
sessions
Make sure you have a secure line for the conversation
Make sure you have the amount of time available that you stated you would provide
Make sure you are in a private, quiet space and there will NO interruptions
Make sure the sound level is appropriate check with the client periodically to make certain
they can hear you
Dress professionally and appropriately just as if a client was to see you in person
Check in with the client 10 minutes ahead of time either by phone or email to let them know
the session will begin in case they need a few extra minutes to prepare themselves
Act just as you would in an in-person session; do NOT use this time to chat informally or discuss
inappropriate topics keep the client on track just as you would in person
FURTHER READING | PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR VIDEOCONFERENCING TELEBASED MENTAL HEALTH: http://
virtualservices.kansasworks.com/About/Documents/Telemental%20Health2.pdf
4
http://onlinetherapyinstitute.com/ethical-framework-for-the-use-of-social-media-by-mental-health-professionals/
The advancement of healthcare into telemedicine and telehealth has forever altered the ways in
which people receive care for their healthcare issues. This impacts on Recovery Coaches and the
ways in which they work with people who utilize their services. As stated above, ethical behavior is
the foundation for all work in recovery.
The Center for Health Ethics at the University of Missouri suggests the following could be issues
related to ethics and Telehealth7:
Professional expectations in meeting a new, higher standard of car
Telemedicine as a potential new form of access discrimination
Technology as added burden for patients with chronic and terminal illness
When virtual visits replace actual visits
5
http://www.hrsa.gov/ruralhealth/about/telehealth/
6
http://www.lse.ac.uk/LSEHealthAndSocialCare/pdf/PUBLICATIONS/conford_2_ethical.pdf
7
http://ethics.missouri.edu/docs/telehealth_challenges.pdf
INTERACTIVE EXERCISE
I am I am not I have the I dont
Skills willing willing resources have the
I have Skills I to work to work I need resources
Recovery Coach confi- need to on this at on this at to work I need at
Skills dence in develop this time this time on this this time
Good communication
Understanding of telehealth
technologies
Understand informed consent
Know how to keep accurate
records
Understand all aspects of
confidentiality
Able to keep confidentiality
in all aspects of work
Participates in continuing
education
Able to establish rapport via
telehealth technologies
Knows the boundaries of
recovery coaching
Informed Consent
Download a samle form from http://www.protzeltherapy.com/
Advice on Ethics and Telehealth Services from American Mental Health Counselors Association8
Technology-assisted counseling includes but is not limited to computer, telephone,
internet and other communication devices. Mental health counselors take reasonable
steps to protect patients, clients, students, research participants and others from
harm. Mental health counselors performing technology-assisted counseling comply
with all other provisions of this ethics code. Mental health counselors:
1. Establish methods to ascertain the client's identity and obtain alternative methods of contacting
the client in an electronic emergency.
3. Ensure that clients are intellectually, emotionally, and physically capable of using technology-assist-
ed counseling services, and of understanding the potential risks and/or limitations of such services.
4. Provide technology-assisted counseling services only in practice areas within their expertise.
Mental health counselors do not provide services to clients in states where doing so would violate
local licensure laws or regulations.
5. Confirm that the provision of technology-assisted counseling services are not prohibited by or other-
wise violate any applicable state or local statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances, codes of profes-
sional membership organizations and certifying boards, and/or codes of state licensing boards.
8
http://www.zurinstitute.com/ethicsoftelehealth.html
(Note: This comes from the Canadian Psychological Association and is currently the most complete
document on electronic services although it is for psychologists, recovery coaches can benefit from
these guidelines.)
Introduction
These guidelines apply to the evolving and increasing practice of providing e-services
to clients; that is, providing services through electronic media (e.g., telephone,
video-conferencing, e-mail, chat rooms). The guidelines apply to services that re-
quire a contractual relationship between a psychologist and client; they do not apply
to the use of these media to provide general educational or resource information.
The guidelines are derived from the ethical principles and values of the Canadian
code of ethics for psychologists (CPA, 2000), which provides an ethical framework
and standards for the professional activities of all members of the canadian psycho-
logical association, or of members of other bodies that endorse or have adopted this
code. However, the guidelines address issues that are unique to the use of electronic
media; they do not duplicate relevant standards in the code. As such, the guidelines
should be used in conjunction with the most recent version of the code. Each guide-
line is referenced with one or more ethical values used in the code.
9
http://www.cpa.ca/aboutcpa/committees/ethics/psychserviceselectronically/
Guidelines
2. Psychologists providing services to clients for whom capacity to consent or freedom of consent
may be an issue to arrange for an in-person contracting session, either with themselves or with
another qualified health care practitioner. (informed consent, freedom of consent)
3. If a substitute decision maker is needed to provide consent (e.g., a parent), the identity of the
substitute decision maker is verified in person, either with themselves or with another qualified
health practitioner. (protection for vulnerable persons)
4. Psychologists educate themselves regarding current practices and security devices for electronic com-
munications, and use those systems and practices that are reasonably available, and that best protect
their clients privacy. (privacy, confidentiality)
5. Psychologists inform clients of their security practices, and reach agreements with clients regard-
ing maximization of security for each client, including whether the client will require any special
equipment (e.g., special software) to access and transmit information and, if so, whether the
psychologist provides the special equipment as part of the services. (privacy, confidentiality)
6. In situations where it is difficult to verify the identity of the client being served electronically,
steps are taken to address impostor concerns (e.g., by use of identity code words or numbers).
(privacy, confidentiality)
2. Psychologists do not attempt to address a problem using electronic media unless they have demon-
strated their competence to do it in in-person services. (competence)
3. Psychologists ensure that prospective clients for e-services receive an adequate assessment of their
needs. If the type of service being offered requires in-person assessment, psychologists provide such
assessment or arrange for another health care provider to conduct the assessment prior to beginning
e-services. (risk/benefit analysis)
4. Psychologists develop e-service plans that are consistent with the clients needs and the limita-
tions of e-services. (maximize benefit)
5. The clients record includes hard copies of all online communications of a material nature, and
notes regarding contacts of a material nature using other electronic media. (maximize benefit)
6. Prior to beginning e-service, the psychologist obtains from the client the name and phone
number(s) of someone for the psychologist to contact in an emergency. (maximize benefit,
minimize harm)
7. Prior to beginning e-services, psychologists discuss with clients the procedures to be followed in
an emergency. Psychologists collaborate with clients to identify a qualified health care provider
(e.g., the family physician) who can provide local back-up assistance, and to determine the local
crisis hotline telephone number and local emergency telephone numbers. (maximize benefit,
minimize harm)
8. Psychologists make adequate plans for accessing and responding to messages left by clients in
electronic form during times of psychologists unavailability, illness, or incapacity. (maximize
benefit, minimize harm)
10. If a client is receiving only e-services (i.e., not combined with any in-person services), and it be-
comes evident that the client would receive significantly greater benefit from in-person services,
and such services are available, psychologists provide in-person services or refer the client to a
qualified professional who can provide such service. (maximize benefit, minimize harm)
2. Psychologists ensure that the possible convenience and financial advantages of providing e-servic-
es are never allowed to outweigh the best interests of clients. (avoidance of conflict of interest)
2. Psychologists obtain, where feasible, liability insurance coverage for their e-services. (beneficial
activities)
3. Psychologists provide to clients relevant contact information (e.g., mailing address, phone
number, fax number, website address, and/or e-mail address) of all appropriate certification/
regulatory bodies. (beneficial activities)
4. Psychologists familiarize themselves with and honor the relevant laws and regulations of all juris-
dictions to which they provide e-services. This includes such matters as age of consent or defini-
tions of capacity to consent, and requirements for mandatory reporting. (respect for society)
Services are strengths based and person-centered. Recovery coaches use a person-first ap-
proach; individuals are "people first" - with unique qualities -who have behavioral health and
other challenges and are in need of services.
Resources and supports are integrated into team practice. Clinical consultation and collabora-
tion with therapists, psychiatrists and nurses enriches service quality.
Peer support. Peer support, formal and informal, helps team members and people receiving services.
Assertive outreach and referrals. Teams establish personal relationships with key community
organizations and referral sources.
Recovery plans. Every person develops a recovery plan that reflects individual goals, services and
supports needed to help attain those goals, and includes the responsibilities of all parties involved.
Community. Recovery coaching is part of the community and helps create relationships that im-
prove knowledge, engagement, public health, safety, civic involvement and access to resources.
Empowerment - recovery coaches help participants identify personal goals and build skills to
attain those goals. Recovery coaches help participants develop.
Individuals are encouraged to make their own informed choices about their lives and support
systems; these choices are respected.
Peer support is highly valued, offering hope through the unique empathy and understanding that
come from peer relationships.
Everyone is entitled to an individually determined meaningful life that allows for the pursuit of
roles, interests and activities that add richness and meaning to life.
Everyone is offered opportunities and support to be his or her own advocate and a voice for recovery.
Interactive Exercise
The exercise below is designed to help you get in touch with a sense of your own
skills as a recovery coach.
I know where
I am confi- I lack confi- I am to access
dent in my dence in my ready to resources to
ability ability develop develop this
Skills to do this to do this this skill skill
Knowledge of my boundaries as a
recovery coach
Understanding my role as a recovery coach
Ability to focus on the person and not the
illness or situation
Ability to accept that recovery is a
journey and a process with no specific
timeline
Ability to accept the individual is
ultimately responsible for their own
decisions and choices
Ability to maintain a proper relationship
between coach and client
Ability to respect other peoples belief
systems and cultural values
Ability to maintain hope and positivity in
the coaching relationship
Ability to work within the proper
boundaries
Ability to accept the need for advice and
support when needed
Ability to refer the client to appropriate
resources
One of the ways recovery coaches can work within the proper boundaries is to con-
tinue their own education and training. A continuing education plan can assist in this
process. Three ways to do this11.
If the person has no clinical supports, explore the pros and cons of engaging in treatment; iden-
tify barriers and develop strategies to address the barriers.
Be familiar with the array of services available to people; explore options that best fit peoples
preferences.
For people with clinical supports, become familiar with the services they use and the clinicians
they see. Get authorizations to release and receive information, and communicate frequently.
Set up a recovery planning meeting with the participant and his/her treatment team.
Be sure that the treatment goals and the recovery goals are on the same page and mutually
supportive - one overall goal is best.
Use team clinical consultation meetings to increase your knowledge about mental illnesses,
symptoms, challenging behaviors, and Recovery Coaching techniques to help people with issues
they are experiencing.
Call therapist or psychiatrist directly for urgent needs; ask specific questions.
Accompany the person to an appointment if requested, or if there is a need for greater collabora-
tion. With the participant, clarify your role in the meeting.
Support strategies learned in treatment sessions and skill-based groups by helping people practice
new skills in the community.
11, 12
http://www.montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/5433
Interactive Exercise
A final exercise. This one is designed to help you access your own feelings about your work.
My feelings This is This is This is
about my work completely true somewhat true not true at all
I am completely comfortable in my role
as a recovery coach
I feel I have all the training
I need to serve as a recovery coach