Regulation of Health Coaches

[rfi...@chipa.com]

Our organization is initiating a online Behavioral Wellness Program
with telephonic coaching. Our goal is to use behavioral health
professionals, either master's level graduates or licensed
professionals. We are located in California.

Recently I've received some feedback discouraging us from using
licensed professionals (e.g., MFT, LCSW, LPC) because of state
regulations prohibiting the practice of therapy outside of the state
of licensure. The belief is that once a coach is identified as a
licensed professional, the assumption is that they are providing
therapy.

We've established boundaries regarding the scope of coaching vs.
therapy, however, there is still some concerns.

Has anyone in the group had this experience in their state? If you
could share feedback you've received that would be helpful.

Thanks,
Ruth Fikes, MFT

[Bill]

Hi Ruth:

I have heard about the practice of therapy across state lines. When I
was researching networks for our EAP contract, I was advised by the
Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation that EAP
counseling provided to a Maine resident must be provided by a Maine
licensed counselor.

I have not heard anywhere about this applying to coaching as no state
currently regulates coaches.

What has me curious is that your message only lists master's level
professional. Ph.Ds and MDs/DOs are also licensed at the state level
so the same would apply to them.

Many health coaching organizations hire nurses who are also licensed
at the state level. I have not researched what constitutes the
practice of nursing...

I am also not aware of any state professional practice board
addressing the issue of coaching vs. counseling (therapy) but that
might be some interesting research as well.

Bill McPeck
William McPeck, MSW
Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant
Work-Life Certified Professional
Director, Employee Health and Safety
Maine State Government
207-287-6783 (voice)
207-287-6796 (fax)
william....@maine.gov

[Ruth Fikes]

Thank you for your input. The regulation of licensure applies to PhDs as
well. Because "Coaching" is not defined as a profession and is not
regulated, the issue becomes a scope of practice issue combined with
consumer perception. If a consumer perceives "coaching" as "therapeutic"
and a licensed professional (PhD, MFT, LPC, LCSW, etc) is using "coaching
techniques" which fall under their scope of practice, then an argument could
be made that they are practicing under their license outside of their state.
I've been advised by our state professional organization that we should:
1)clearly define the role of the coach for both coach and consumer; and 2)
document referrals to psychotherapy as needed. If we do both the licensed
professionals can do coaching outside of our state. RNs are exempted from
these requirements as "coaching" is typically not covered under their scope
of practice and so their is less confusion.

As the coaching profession expands, I believe all licensed behavioral health
professionals will need to work with state boards to allow for coaching
services out-of-state and provide some regulation regarding coaching
services.

Ruth