Coached to care?

Many of us have had some sort of career counselling in our lives from the careers advisor at school (nun or nurse? was our choice) to full blown life coaching. Now the United States, quick to pick up on the issues presented by an ageing population, brings us family transition coaches.

These coaches aim to guide their clients through life changing transitions when, for example, children take on the care of elderly parents whether the family is planning in advance or, as is so often the case, dealing with a transition as it is unfolding. As an objective third party, the coach aims to bring to bear their experience with others who have gone through similar transitions. They can also help to faciliate difficult conversations within families, particularly where siblings disagree.

Coaching is not therapy or counselling. The role of the coach is to empower, encourage, and motivate and help clients to plan ahead, anticipate situations, and solve problems.

This seems to me an excellent idea. These sort of life changing situations are very difficult to navigate for all concerned and any help is welcome. But whilst we are happy to undergo coaching for career issues, we are generally more reluctant than our North Americans counterparts to accept help in our personal lives. And I do wonder whether family transition coaches will take off here.