Recovery Coaching Course

Three-day Recovery Coaching Certification Course.

This course follows on from the Recovery Companion Certification Course. It is important to understand that this course builds on the initial course and is not exclusive of that material.

RECOVERY COACH Definition

A recovery coach further advances the tutoring and mentoring role essential to the recovery companion by developing the clients “hard and soft,” life skills and overall level of competency. Hard skills are specific teachable activities that are practical and can be learned such as: how to write a CV and application letter, how to use a computer software such as Word or Excel, how to follow a basic recipe and prepare a meal, how to use various cleaning equipment etc. Soft skills are more subjective but essential to achieving a good life-balance and enhancing personal attributes and character; time management, organizational skills, being reliable and trustworthy, addressing self-care issues, living a life aligned with values, how to set meaningful goals etc. Recovery coaches are not therapists, they do not work specifically with feelings or trauma and do not make any clinical decisions or treat mental health issues or addiction per se. The work of a recovery coach is practical and action-oriented and works towards expanding the clients level of choice, psychological flexibility and competency – competency is always defined in terms of what the clients can “do” rather than what they “know,” combining knowledge, skill, potential and personality traits in an integrated way to get a consistent result with high quality. Although the recovery companion and recovery coach often work with the client 24 hours a day initially there is a distinction in terms of “virtual work.” A recovery coach can continue to work with the client after they leave the face to face context, doing coaching sessions “virtually” via telephone or internet on a daily or weekly basis based on the strong and trusting relationship already established with the client. In this way, the recovery coach can aid transition from the therapeutic and treatment context and build the foundations of sustained recovery in everyday life.

Over the three days, there will be lecture demonstrations supported by role plays, real-life case studies and coaching training. Assessment will be made through written assignments and practical evaluation where appropriate. Here are the main topics that will be explored over the three-day course.

Day 1

• Review of Recovery Companion Course
• Teaching and Mentoring Strategies
• Theories of Learning
• Pedagogy in Communication

Day 2

Morning

In-depth Presentation of the Withersdane Coaching Handbook. This resource gives the candidate about 75 hours of coaching work to be done with the client.

Afternoon

Active presentation (with feedback) of three coaching sessions from the Withersdane Coaching Handbook.  This is structured to give candidates the opportunity to see in practice and recognize the material presented in Day One – it also provides a good introduction to course planning and session planning.

Day Three

Review of the coaching material and preparation for the afternoon assessment.

I.L.O.’s

This will include how to write a lesson plan taking into account the following:

• Appropriateness/ Challenges and Creative Opportunities offered by Content. Contextual Relatedness – What hard and soft skills do the material teach to the client – how could the material improve the client’s competency?
• Intended Learning Outcomes
• Materials Required
• Timing -Activities and procedures
• Notes/Evaluation
• Follow-Up Activities (SBL)

Afternoon

Assessment Session – Coaching Presentation.

Candidates will be asked to prepare and present a lesson based on material within Withersdane Coaching Guidebook that lasts between 30 – 45 minutes. Your lesson plan and how closely you adhere to it will also form part of the assessment.

The course will be delivered by Eric Needham (Msc Addiction Psychology).

Eric has worked for the Promis group for many years. He has played a key role both as senior therapist and clinical manager in the launch of several clinics including  Hay Farm, Withersdane Hall and Promis France and has over twenty years experience as a teacher, trainer and course developer.

The course fees are £300. Accommodation and meals are available on site at a cost of £75 per day although places are limited.  Several scholarships are offered annually for candidates eager to work in the field that Promis consider suitable – please make an application in writing to:enquiries@withersdane.com