THERAPIST OR LIFE COACH?

Many of today's mental and behavioral ailments are multi-factored and intertwined with other aspects of the person's life and family. It does not take much analysis to realize that the old model of sitting in the therapist's office and just talk about a person's problem is not the most effective way to cure the problem. Thus, treating autism might involve coaching the parents on what to feed their child, when to have breakfast, how often to train self-care skills, in what room, by Daddy or Mommy, etc. Treating noncompliance might include setting up a daily account book for incidents and privileges, arranging and holding off television or Internet time , monitoring domestic activities between siblings, etc. Treating a teen's ADHD might best include restructuring his study area, cleaing up the messy bedroom, organizing his backpack and study materials, keeping a point chart at the dining room table for easy reference by Dad, balancing the points account, deciding on what toys or desserts to buy, etc. , in addition to treating the focusing and processing deficits of the student.

All these require changes and rearrangement of life styles and family dynamics. In addition, the patient and his family need the therapist to continue to remind, demonstrate treatment strategies, and evaluate and modify family dynamics on the sideline. Essentially, this comprehensive treatment approach makes the therapist function as a life coach. In fact, the therapy is only effective if it is supplemented by changes and consistency of life structure of the patient's family and social milieu.