What is Trauma Recovery Coaching?

Certified Trauma Recovery Coaches are women and men of all ages, ethnicity, gender orientation and walk of life.  They are rigorously trained and certified through the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching, adhering to a stringent Code of Ethics. They work with trauma survivors as peers, mentors, guides and educators with the goal of helping their clients understand the recovery process, reconnect with themselves and the world while using their strengths to build a life they love living.

What is the difference between a therapist and a coach?

Therapists are the trauma surgeons, emergency room personnel and paramedics of the mental health and well being community. Coaches have a fully stocked first aid kit and skills to put it to good use, but they are not physicians.

A coach comes alongside their client to brainstorm, provide information, and examine potential decisions. A therapist can do all of these things, but they often also need to intervene at a deeper level to direct care, prescribe behavior and make choices on behalf of their client. A coach never takes that much control over a client’s life. Guide and encourage, yes. Command direction, never. 

More information is available here.

What kind of training do Trauma Recovery Coaches Receive to become certified?

The initial Trauma Recovery Coaching Certification course is a 23 week program that teaches:

• Basic coaching skills along with coaching skills specific to trauma survivors

• The definition of trauma and how individuals respond to trauma

• How trauma effects children and adults biologically, psychologically, relationally and emotionally

• The trauma recovery process

• Trauma Recovery Coaching ethics

• Trauma Recovery Coaching protocols and standards

• Group coaching standards and practises

Furthermore, each student engages in a practicum experience where they are supervised while providing both group and one-to-one coaching.

If coaches wish to obtain additional education they can access the Advanced Certification and Supervisor Certification programs.

Why is certification important for trauma recovery coaches?

Right now there are no standards, licenses or regulations on the coaching industry in the United States. Regulations on coaching in other countries is scant or non-existent. Uncertified Trauma Recovery Coaches are not held to any ethical standards, need not have any specific training in trauma or trauma recovery, and receive no supervised practice. Anyone can offer trauma recovery coaching services. Survivors have no assurance that a potential coach is qualified and ethical unless they are Certified through the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching.

Who directs the Trauma Recovery Coaching Certification program?

Bobbi L. Parish, MA CTRC has Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has post graduate degree coursework in Play Therapy and Art Therapy. Seventeen years after receiving her graduate degree, Bobbi became a pioneer in the field of Trauma Recovery Coaching. An internationally recognized expert in trauma recovery, she founded Trauma Recovery University in 2014 to help provide education, support and coaching to survivors of interpersonal trauma. After working with coaching clients around the globe, Bobbi developed the only Code of Ethics and Coaching Protocols in the field of Trauma Recovery Coaching. She launched the International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching and it's accompanying Certification program to make qualified and experienced Trauma Recovery Coaching accessible to survivors around the globe.

Do you have questions? Need more information? Reach out to us at Info@IAOTRC.com