What is Goals Coaching?

Goals Coaching or Peer-to-Peer Recovery Support is a form of strengths-based support for persons with addictions or in recovery from alcohol, other drugs, codependency, or other addictive behaviors. Goals coaches may also be referred to as Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS) work with persons with active addictions as well as persons already in recovery. A Goals Coach or PRS is helpful for making decisions about what to do with your life and the part your addiction or recovery plays. A Goals Coach/PRS helps clients find ways to stop addiction (abstinence), or reduce harm associated with addictive behaviors. A Goals Coach/PRS can help a client find resources for harm reduction, detox, treatment, family support and education, local or online support groups; or help a client create a change plan to recover on their own.

A Goals Coach/PRS does not offer primary treatment for addiction, does not diagnose, and is not associated with any particular method or means of recovery. Goals Coaches and Peer Support Specialists support any positive change, helping persons coming home from treatment to avoid relapse, build community support for recovery, or work on life goals not related to addiction such as relationships, work, education etc. Goals coaching is action oriented with an emphasis on improving present life and reaching goals for the future.  [source]

What training is required to become a Goals Coach/Peer Recovery Specialist?

Since the adaptation of the Goals Management Model by State and Federal agencies, goals coaching courses have been offered by numerous state, nonprofit and for profit entities In addition, there are numerous for profit firms that also offer goals coaching training as well. The most important aspects of any goals coaching training include ethics of a goals coach, goals coaching core competencies and to include certain clinical theories as stages of change, motivational interviewing, as well as harm reduction.

Goals Coaches are required to complete the following curriculum in order to be certified by the Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals:

• Completion of 46 hours of classroom training of state required curriculum.
• Completion of 500 hours of practical application of learned skills in live setting.
• Minimum of 25 Supervised hours in the required domains of Ethics, Advocacy, Wellness & Education and Recovery
• Successful completion of the TCBAP Registered Peer Recovery Support Specialist Exam.

The Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals is a proud member of IC&RC, the global leader in the credentialing of prevention, addiction treatment, and recovery professionals. Organized in 1981, it provides standards and examinations to certification and licensing boards in 25 countries, 47 states and territories, five Native American regions, and all branches of the U.S. military.

The goals coach is a non-professional service role. Persons serving as goals coaches, rather than being legitimized through traditionally acquired education credentials, draw their legitimacy from experiential knowledge and experiential expertise (Borkman, 1976). Experiential knowledge is information acquired about addiction recovery through the process of one’s one recovery or being with others through the recovery process. Experiential expertise requires the ability to transform this knowledge into the skill of helping others to achieve and sustain recovery. Many people have acquired experiential knowledge about recovery, but only those who have the added dimension of experiential expertise are ideal candidates for the role of goals coach. The dual credentials of experiential knowledge and experiential expertise are bestowed by local communities of recovery to those who have offered sustained living proof of their expertise as a recovery guide (White & Sanders, 2004).

What Do Goals Coaches Do?

Goals coaches support the client in achieving and maintaining a solid foundation in recovery, and building upon recovery to achieve other life goals that make recovery worthwhile by meeting regularly, staying in touch, setting goals, discussing progress, celebrating achievements, identifying obstacles, conferring on solutions, developing trust and an ongoing, long term relationship that can last anywhere from 3 months to 5 years.  Descriptions of goals coaches include the following:

• Motivator and cheerleader (exhibits faith in capacity for change; encourages and celebrates recovery achievements)
• Ally and confidant (genuinely cares and listens; can be trusted with confidences)
• Truth-teller (provides feedback on recovery progress)
• Role model and mentor (offers his/her life as living proof of the transformative power of recovery; provides stage-appropriate recovery education)
• Problem solver (helps resolve personal and environmental obstacles to recovery)
• Resource broker (links individuals/families to formal and indigenous sources of sober housing, recovery-conducive employment, health and social services, and recovery support, training and education resources)
• Advocate (helps individuals and families navigate service systems)
• Community organizer (helps develop and expand available recovery support resources)
• Lifestyle consultant (assists individuals/families to develop sobriety based rituals of daily living)

Why is Goals Coaching Important?

Goals Coaching is an integral part of the entire recovery process, sometimes even beginning before the recoveree is able to admit to the problem. The process of recovery is an ongoing journey which has many paths. It is the goal of the recovery process to achieve long term sustained recovery or freedom from active using, change in behaviors that improve the lives of recoverees.

As there are many paths to and through the journey of recovery it often starts when the problem is recognized by the recoveree or a family member or friend, the school or possibly the criminal justice system, etc...

Continuum of Care – The Key to Long-Term Success

After recognition of the problem, depending on the actions taken such as intervention, counseling, treatment, incarceration, detention, etc., this is the beginning of the recovery journey and the first step in the continuum of care model of recovery.

Continuum of care is a concept involving an integrated system of care that guides and tracks patients over time through a comprehensive array of health services spanning all levels of intensity of care. Applied to recovery, it is the concept of providing and guiding an individual through a system or systems or integrated care at all levels of services and intensity. Goals coaching can be the thread that links all health care and community services into the fabric of recovery for the individual – providing consistency, long term support, compassion, motivation and guidance.

The continuum of care model is specifically designed for the highest possible outcomes for long-term sobriety. The continuum of care services usually begin with either a detoxification component or a residential drug and alcohol treatment center (RTC) component. Following the residential portion of the model, the next step can be Partial Hospitalization (PHP), program like residential, but the client does not stay overnight on site of the treatment facility, this portion of the model can be from 1 week – 4 weeks. Usually an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) which is typically around 6-8 weeks in length with 3-4 sessions per week will follow RTC or PHP. At either PHP or IOP point, the continuum of care model provides for a structured sober living component (minimum 90 days up to 6 months or longer), and finally, to a less structured sober living environment (90 days to 6 months). It has been proven that the best results for increased time remaining clean and sober are a result of the greater the length of time with a sober support environment during the recovery process the higher the likelihood for success. Throughout the entire process, goals coaching has also proven to be a significant positive contribution to this model. Goals Coaching provides consistency and direction to the client while helping them transition to living on their own in society. Living a long-term clean and sober life is the ultimate measure of success and the greatest goal of all continuums of care models.

Recovery at the House of Extra Measures

• Weekly Individual sessions
• Weekly goals and planning
• Resource guidance and support
• Accountability
• Recovery Wellness Plan
• Ongoing services available upon completion

Examples

• CENTER CITY, Minn., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ —  “Addiction is a chronic disease that, if left untreated, costs the United States economy billions of dollars each year in health care costs and lost productivity,” said Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation President and CEO Mark Mishek. “Partnering with an enormously well-respected technology provider like Cerner, which shares our vision for bringing behavioral health solutions into the care continuum, will enable us to reach more people and be a greater force for help and healing.” Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and Cerner will collaborate towards a supplement to Cerner’s behavioral health offering with a recovery management program called My Ongoing Recovery Experience (MORE). The structured program will be delivered through a patient portal coupled with goals coach engagement to encourage the participants to continue learning and engaging in their recovery as they re-enter the community.”
• During and afterdrug and alcohol addiction treatment at Sagebrush Treatment Center, goals coaching can focus and support clients in planning a strategy for staying sober and implementing necessary changes to make that happen. After successful completion of our residential treatment program, a continuing aftercare strategy is put into place to ensure ongoing sobriety and long-term success. Throughout the treatment experience, the staff at Sagebrush works with each client to create an individualized plan of action for the coming year. Throughout the year, staff continues to work with clients to help them through issues that come up.  This may include referring them to the outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program to continue their sober living work and curb the risk for a relapse. (http://sagebrushva.com/treatment-programs/continuum-of-care-2/)

Reduction of costs/Saving Lives

• “Recovery Coaching Program Improves Outcomes, Saves Money”
• “Recovery Coach Helps an Addict Resist Heroin’s Lure”

Testimonials 

Recovery coaching was very important to my growth in recovery. The short term goals kept me on track and motivated. The recovery capitals that pertained to each goal showed me that I am not hopeless and even though I’m starting from rock bottom I still have something to offer.

– HOEM Women, October 2015

My experience with recovery coaching has been very interactive and uplifting. I have not only felt comfortable being authentic, but perhaps more importantly I have felt comfortable being vulnerable. When sharing my tough life experiences, fears and even successes with [my recovery coach], she has always been receptive and non-judgmental. She had a story or a lesson she learned to help me process my own circumstances. It was important to me to feel like I was not alone in what I was confronting in myself, and that is absolutely what I got in recovery coaching. She helped me understand and integrate the notion of “progress not perfection,” and to set realistic and attainable goals for myself.

For example, with her help I have become an active member in yoga studios, made friends and a developed a great sober support system, started back to college and I have even created a written 5-year plan for myself! Those accomplishments would mean little without the honesty, courage, persistence, willingness, perspective and wisdom I have gained through working with [my recovery coach]. I am able to get feedback and support as I try to carry out my goals, which is important when I feel stuck or just when I want someone to share in my accomplishment. My experience has been fantastic, and I also feel like I have gained a valuable friend in the process.

– HOEM Women, January 2016

I think Recovery Coaching Goal setting has helped me tremendously in putting things down on paper in a way that I never have before.  In fact, I have started to use that in my personal life; in regards to setting a goal then deciding on what steps I would need to take to get there.

If you would have asked me early on what I thought of this place, Recovery Coaching, and my time here I could have written a thesis on everything that was wrong and every reason why I didn’t belong here, but after being here now over 6 months  —  and I give full credit to God for keeping me here –I can honestly say that I feel like I consciously  have my power of choice back now for the very first time in my life, and that if I do pick up another drink or drug that it will be a conscious decision, whereas before, looking back, it was like I didn’t have a choice.

 – HOEM Women, December 2015