Podcast Summary: Private Practice Startup Podcast

Episode 124: "From Therapist to Consultant and Coach—7 Principles for Effective Change"
Hosts: Dr. Kate Campbell & Katie Lemieux
Guest: Michael Dietrich Chastain, LPC, Founder of ARC Integrated
Date: February 24, 2019

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the journey of moving from traditional therapy into the worlds of consulting and coaching, featuring Michael Dietrich Chastain, LPC. Michael shares his own story and expertise in leadership coaching, emotional intelligence, and consulting for organizations and teams. The conversation covers differences and similarities between therapy and coaching, the business realities of coaching, ethical/legal boundaries, and practical tips for therapists considering a similar transition. Michael also offers his "7 Principles for Effective Change" and provides a free workbook resource for listeners.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Michael’s Journey: From Therapist to Consultant and Coach

• Background:
  • Michael originally studied industrial organizational psychology (psychology of business and systems) before entering therapy.
  • Transitioned from the corporate world to counseling, then returned to systems/business focus through consulting and leadership coaching.
  • Sees clear overlap between therapy and business coaching in working with motivation, boundaries, communication, and human development.
  • "It's essentially just about understanding similar things that we do in therapy: motivations, shadows, insecurities, communication styles..." (06:52, Michael)

2. Clients, Services, and Business Structure

• Client Base:
  • Primarily leaders—ranging from small business owners to Fortune 500 executives—unified by leadership challenges.
    (07:03, Michael)
• How Clients Find ARC Integrated:
  • Combination of referrals, word-of-mouth, and online presence.
  • "People do business with those that they know, like, and trust." (07:49, Michael)

3. Consulting vs. Coaching vs. Therapy: Key Similarities and Differences

• Consulting and therapy share tools like presence, understanding histories/patterns, and especially boundaries.
• Distinction:
  • Consulting/coaching focuses more on performance, communication, and team dynamics rather than clinical mental health.
  • Coaching industry is less regulated than therapy—more the "wild, wild west."
  • "Coaching is a little bit the wild, wild west… there’s much less parameter than there is in the therapy world." (11:29, Michael)

4. Transitioning from Therapy to Coaching

• Key Challenges:
  • Navigating lack of clear regulations in coaching.
  • Need to niche down and clarify service offerings for effective marketing—just as in private practice.
• Certifications & Training:
  • Recommends International Coach Federation (ICF) for credentialing; process similar to clinical licensure.
  • Getting certified in assessment tools valuable to the chosen client population.
    (12:38–14:33, Michael)

5. Business Logistics: Pricing, Delivery, and Process

• Pricing:
  • Highly variable in the coaching world; best approach is market research and interviews with similar providers.
  • Mindset around self-worth important in setting rates.
  • "Part of it is just a matter of deciding. There’s certainly a mindset piece here…what is your worth?" (18:08, Michael)
• Delivery:
  • Blend of in-person, on-site, and virtual sessions, tailored to client needs.
  • Process: begin with an organizational evaluation, assess root problems, then tailor assessment trainings and coaching.
    (16:43–17:43, Michael)
• Example:
  • Custom team communication trainings include assessments, multi-day workshops, and ongoing coaching for maximum results.
  • Quoting return-on-investment for combined training + coaching:
    • "When you combine training and coaching...the return is going to be enormous...around 80% increase in productivity." (21:00–21:24)

6. Therapist Considerations: Legal and Ethical Issues in Coaching

• Importance of thoroughly distinguishing therapy vs. coaching—for your own clarity, documentation, and client communication.
• "Have that front-end thinking: how can you as a therapist define the difference of delivering therapy services and coaching services?" (21:48, Michael)
• State regulations: stay inside practice laws for therapy, know coaching gives more interstate flexibility.
• Refer out to therapists when encountering therapy needs in coaching prospects.
• Set up clear business separations between therapy and coaching entities.
  • "If you are doing a coaching practice, have two separate companies, two separate paperworks to just really make it clean." (23:27, Katie)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On buying into coaching:
  "If an employee isn’t bought into coaching, I’ll actually tell the potential client that’s a poor way to spend your money, because we’re not going to get the results that you want."
  —Michael (09:14)

• On training + coaching ROI:
  "If you go to a productivity training typically the results are about a 20% increase. If you combine training with coaching...it goes up to around 80%."
  —Michael (20:56–21:24)

• On the value of therapy training:
  "We have these really wonderful educations as therapists that apply to so much... Don’t take for granted what you know and how it can be applicable to so many other industries."
  —Michael (25:48)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Michael’s background and path: 05:47–07:00
• How ARC Integrated clients find them: 07:32–08:04
• Consulting vs. therapy: key similarities: 09:48–10:55
• Transition to full coaching/consulting & challenges: 11:29–12:22
• Certifications, ICF & tools: 12:38–14:33
• Business setup: niche, brick/mortar/online, delivery: 14:50–17:43
• Pricing and worth: 18:08–19:33
• Working with teams and training ROI: 19:33–21:24
• Legal/ethical distinctions and business separation: 21:48–24:31
• Resource giveaway and 7 Principles for Change: 24:38–25:37
• Michael’s key takeaway message: 25:48

Free Resource & Book Mention

• Free Workbook:

  • Michael offers a downloadable workbook based on his upcoming book, Changes.
  • Resource link: arcintegrated.com/book
  • Workbook works through “seven life dimensions” for effective personal and organizational change (25:00–25:37)

• Michael’s Book:

  • Title: Changes: The Busy Professional’s Guide to Reduce Stress, Accomplish Goals and Master Adaptability (02:00)
  • Release date in 2019

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

• Embrace the versatility of therapy training—skills are transferable to business and leadership coaching.
• Before transitioning to coaching, clarify your service scope, legal boundaries, and get proper certifications.
• Conduct market research and approach pricing with confidence in your value.
• Leverage tools, assessments, and ongoing coaching for greater client impact.
• Ensure clean separation between therapy and coaching services, especially in documentation and business structure.

For deeper legal details on coaching, revisit Episode 105 with Christy Westerfield, Attorney, as recommended by the hosts (22:57–23:24).

For More Information

• Download Michael’s free workbook: arcintegrated.com/book
• Check show notes for additional links and resources
• Follow the hosts at privatepracticestartup.com

End Note:
The episode is packed with practical business advice, personal reflection on career transition, and clear-eyed discussion about the ethical/operational lines between therapy and coaching. Ideal for therapists pondering new avenues or anyone interested in how clinical skills can power organizational and personal change.