Coaching Couples on the Telephone

By Lisa G. Kramer MSW, PCC

This past week I had the honor of presenting to the Imago Think Tank* on the topic, Coaching Couples by Telephone. The participants and I had a lively discuss, and the featured article for this issue of The Conscious Relationship focuses on the telephone as a powerful medium for relationship coaching with couples and other clients who seek out the services of a relationship coach.

I was first introduced to telephone coaching during my coach training in the late 90’s. My initial reaction was, “how will I ever develop a solid relationship with my clients if we don’t work together in person?” I hired my own coach to personally experience telephone coaching from the client’s perspective, and I learned very quickly that it was not a barrier to building a successful coaching relationship. It was actually quite the opposite! I began coaching individual clients on the phone and then added relationship coaching and group coaching to my service offerings. It seemed quite natural for me to work with couples on the telephone. When a prospective couple-client contacts me for coaching, I inform them that the coaching takes place on the telephone, and I give them an opportunity to experience my coaching style on the phone. I have never had a couple decide against hiring me because of the telephone. In fact, I have attracted more couples because I work by telephone!

Benefits of Coaching Couples on the Telephone

There are numerous benefits for both coaches and for clients in working on the telephone.

The Benefits for the Coach are:

•    Expand your geographical boundaries! I decided early on in my coaching career that I wanted to work with clients from all over the world. Telephone coaching has enabled me to work with clients in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.

•    Diversify your cultural knowledge! You can work with clients from different cultural backgrounds. I love learning from my clients about some of the cultural differences as well as seeing how similar and connected we are, regardless of what country we are from.

•    Strengthen your intuitive muscle! The telephone has been a powerful way for me to access and use my intuition in coaching. I listen to the tone of voice, energy and content of what is/is not being said, and I am not distracted by non-verbal cues or body language.

•    Coach from the comfort of your home or office! You have freedom and flexibility to move around your office. I sometimes stand up and walk around my office while I am coaching. Or I may close my eyes to tune out any distractions. Because I am on the telephone, I do not have to maintain eye contact or feel inhibited about adjusting my position.

•    Keep your travel plans! You can coach from different locations. Perhaps you have a summer or winter place you go to on a regular basis. Telephone coaching is very portable!

The Added Benefits for the Couple are:

•    Convenience! Couples do not have to add driving time or babysitting costs. In addition, there is the convenience for the couple to call the coach from two different locations, if necessary.

•    Greater choice! Couples can hire you to coach them even if they do not live in close proximity to you. This allows for freedom of choice, especially if a couple you’ve worked with refers another couple from their area to you.

Getting Started with Relationship Coaching on the Telephone

As a way of getting comfortable with the telephone, consider switching some of the clients you currently work with in person to the telephone. By doing so, you can experience the phone with clients you already know and with whom you feel comfortable. In addition you may wish to enlist the services of a mentor-coach to process any challenges that may emerge as you transition to using the telephone.

I hope these benefits are helpful to introduce an alternate method of coaching into your practice.

*For information about future Imago Think Tank presentations, visit:
http://gettingtheloveyouwant.com/thinktank/index.php

Lisa Kramer MSW, PCC, is a professional coach, coach trainer, author and speaker. Lisa is passionate about assisting coaches, psychotherapists, counselors and spiritual leaders in their professional development. She is the author of Coaching with Intention and Loving with Intention: A Guide for Relationship Coaching. Lisa is on the faculty of the Institute for Life Coach Training where she trains professionals to become coaches. For more information, contact Lisa at Lisa@livingwithintention.com or visit: www.livingwithintention.com and www.lovingwithintention.com

 

 

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