RECOVERY COACH PROGRAM TRAINING Part One
Recovery Coach Training
Frank C. Spicola, MA LCDP James Gillen, LCDP RCS CSP
Recovery Coaching is
a
Recovery Coaches can
assist
program designed to provide peer to peer support for those suffering from substance use disorders in order to facilitate change. a program that can assist individuals in understanding the process involved in making the lifestyle changes.
individuals to formulate their own recovery plan. provide community support for individuals suffering from substance use disorders. act as a link between a protg and suitable resources.
Peer to Peer
A
Role Model
As
recovery coach is a volunteer from the community either in recovery from a substance use disorder or any member of the community interested in assisting those in crisis.
a peer, a recovery coach can act as a role model representing a person in recovery and/or as a productive member of the community.
As a Role Model
a
Active Listener
Through
recovery coach does not oblige individuals to participate in any program or method of recovery but can model their own success as a person in recovery and/or as a positive member of society.
active listening techniques, a recovery coach can provide a forum for individuals to increase understanding of problems, goals, solutions and other issues related to lifestyle changes.
A Recovery Coach
is
A Bridge
A
to become familiar with aspects of active listening and aid individuals to: 1. reflect on the presented issues and 2. to assist the individual in creating their own understanding of recovery oriented concerns.
recovery coach can act as a bridge between individuals, and professional and/or community resources.
As A Bridge
a
What A Recovery Coach Isn t.
A A
recovery coach is to build a relationship with the treatment provider or program supporting the individual coaches. recovery coach can keep an individual in a continuum of care and act as a conduit for additional resources in a multidimensional system.
coach is not a therapist or counselor.
professional counselor or therapist is viewed as an authority and is in a naturally elevated position in a clinician/client relationship.
Not a Therapist or Counselor
A
A Recovery Coach is not a Case Manager
A
recovery coach works in partnership with the protg, with the protg the author of their own recovery plan. The protg is the authority in this process not the coach.
coach is typically not a case manager and is not responsible for coordinating efforts to ensure a protg receives any appropriate services.
Not a Case Manager
Rather,
A Recovery Coach is not a 12-step sponsor
While
a coach maintains a relationship with professional treatment or program staff and will look to them for any required case management. A Coach, however, can assist in any logistical issues involved in case management.
there may be similarities between a recovery coach and a 12-step sponsor, a recovery coach will have access to a variety of resources which may include a 12-step program. A recovery coach is also not expected to rely exclusively on a 12-step program.
Not a 12-step sponsor
Remember,
A Recovery Coach does not offer advice
a protg may not desire to participate in a 12-step program. A coach must be prepared to meet the protg, where they are at which may , not include a 12-step program. The recovery community recognizes that there are many paths to recovery. The coach is to facilitate the pathway that the protg chooses
A recovery coach does not offer advice but through the active listening process provides open-minded feedback. This open-minded feedback may be in the form of an open ended question or a non-threatening and respectful expression of support. For example, one option may beor sounds as it if this bothers you What is an open ended question?
Qualifications
Recovery
Qualifications
Must Must
coach applicants with a history of a substance use disorder should have at least one year of continuous recovery. Why?
be at least 18 years old. be willing to volunteer their time. Must be comfortable or open to working with people in crisis in a community setting.
Attributes: What is expected?
Respect-
Attributes
Empathy-
The coach is to work along side the protg as a peer and should not discount the protg input but rather s should focus on the strengths of the individual. The coach is not a judge of the protg s recovery plan or of the individuals lifestyle.
A coach is to relay a sense of identification with a protg. A coach is to listen to the protg and develop an open-minded picture of what the protg is revealing. The coach is to listen for the process behind the message instead of only the content.
Attributes
People
Active Listening
Active
skills- A coach should have the ability to relate to people with an open mind and in a non-judgmental manner. Ideally, a coach should enjoy working with people.
listening is a method of communication in which listening and responding are used to improve understanding.
Listening
Focus
Listening
Be
on the speaker, mentally and physically. Remain open-minded and avoid predetermined thoughts. -What is a pre-determined thought? Agreement or disagreement with the speaker is not the goal but to improve understanding.
aware of the speaker facial gestures s and other non-verbal signs, (body movements). Focus on the present and the future.
Remember, our perception of what is being said is based on our own life experience; it is important to remain open-minded and focus on understanding the speaker without predetermination.
Responding
Repeat,
Responding
Use
in your own words what the speaker has said. -it is acceptable to paraphrase because repeating word for word may frustrate the speaker
Ask
the proper tone and volume to convey a non-threatening attitude. Be aware of facial gestures and other body movements. (example) Stay in the present.
open ended questions to allow for the speaker to explain their thoughts and feelings.
Active Listening if applied can
prevent
Active Listening
Remember,
misunderstanding. pro-active listening. promote an atmosphere favorable for elaboration. allow the focus to be centered on the issue(s) rather than speculating as to what the speaker is thinking. allow for a partnership in a shared activity to promote understanding.
promote
the speaker may be in conflict with themselves (unrealized goals, feelings of hopelessness), with others or with the listener. And active listening is to promote understanding and not to prove a point or to persuade the speaker to think or feel a certain way.
Stages of Change
Pre-contemplation Contemplation Preparation Action Maintenance Relapse
Stages of Change
The
recovery coach program is intended to provide support and a bridge to resources for individuals regardless of their level of motivation to change. Remember, the recovery coach program is a client centered program, aiding individuals to understand the process of change, allowing the protg to reflect and to create their own recovery plan, and to focus on the protg strengths. s
Stages of Change
Most
Stages of Change
Harm A
professional treatment providers for substance use disorders are designed for individuals who are in the action stage of change. True or false?
reduction. coach may be asked to support an individual who is practicing harm reduction as opposed to the traditional model of recovery from substance use disorders. What are some of the issues working with individuals who choose a harm reduction course?
Stages of Change
Remember,
Boundaries
A
a coach is to meet the protg at whatever stage of change the individual is currently positioned. A coach is not to judge a protg by their level of readiness to change, but rather through active listening and motivational interviewing techniques a coach can facilitate understanding and increase an individuals internal motivation for change.
boundary is a limit. It is a point at which, something ends and becomes something else. (Webster)
Boundaries
Boundaries
While
For a recovery coach, proper boundaries are designed to create a safe and consistent environment on which to build a supportive relationship. The recovery coach is to apply and maintain proper boundaries in a coach/protg association. Proper boundaries should be established immediately to avoid any confusion. Remember, individuals suffering from substance use disorders may have boundary issues; it is up to the coach to model the appropriate boundaries found in healthy relationships.
a recovery coach is a trained volunteer and not a professional, ethical boundaries should begin with the standards practiced by professional treatment providers.
Boundaries
A coach does not fix but empowers by maintaining proper boundaries and understanding the limits of the job description.
Confidentiality
Is a recovery coach an agent for the sponsoring facility? Is a volunteer an agent if there is no financial interest? Should a coach be mandated to follow the guidelines of confidentiality dictated by the Federal government? CFR 42 part ll
Social contact is to be limited. A coach is to meet with a protg in an appropriate setting such as a 12-step meeting or a public coffee shop. Minimal self-disclosure is to be practiced. Adhere to contact or meeting times. Physical contact is to be non-existent or kept at a minimum. Money or any type of gift is not to be exchanged. Sexual or otherwise intimate relationships, are prohibited.
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