I am a certifed counsellor in Canada who provides counselling and coaching, working from an integrated paradigm as much as possible. While doing my graduate training I focused on two streams: one in depth therapy (i.e. long term, psychodynamic), the other in career counselling. The latter very much instilled in me how to work from more of a coaching perspective, as it was very short term, goal oriented/solution focused/cognitive behaviorally oriented. For me it’s more a question of being practical and client centered, meaning drawing on what works from client to client and issue to issue. I think the amalgamation of the two will continue, driven in no small way with the greater comfort level clients seem to have seeking coaching vs. counselling. Also evolution and change are inevitable.

BTW thanks for all your wonderful ideas, innovation and support for our continually morphing profession!

Glynis Sherwood, MEd, CCC, CSAC
Vancouver, Canada