3 Easy Steps in Finding a Psychosocial Recovery Coach

Recovery is a journey, not a destination, and many psychosocial challenges in life can be tackled by collaborating with a dedicated recovery coach. Luckily, finding a recovery coach near you is a straightforward process – read on to learn more!

A Recovery Coach: Who Are They and What Do They Do  

In the context of the NDIS, a psychosocial recovery coach refers to a trained professional who provides support to individuals with psychosocial disabilities. Their role is to assist individuals in enhancing their social and economic independence by helping them build social networks and empowering them to take steps towards their desired life.

Each psychosocial disability is unique, and the most effective way to support individuals is by creating a personalised recovery plan. Recovery coaches collaborate with the individual and their support network, which may include family and friends, to develop a tailored plan. They also have the expertise to involve other professionals when necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the recovery plan.

To ensure the quality of their services, recovery coaches are required to possess experience and knowledge in managing psychosocial disabilities and mental health issues. They must hold mental health qualifications and have a minimum of two years of relevant experience.

Improving One’s Quality of Life and Mental Health

Seeking assistance can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals with psychosocial disabilities, which can vary in their impact. Some conditions may have a minimal effect, while others can be highly detrimental.

The NDIS defines psychosocial disabilities as mental health issues that impair people's ability to socialise and engage with society. Clinically diagnosed psychosocial disabilities may include conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, severe anxiety, and depression.

Additionally, Australians with physical disabilities that limit their social interaction, learning abilities, or daily self-care may also experience psychosocial disabilities alongside their physical ones.

When left unrecognised and unmanaged, these psychosocial disabilities can lead to a lower quality of life for individuals.

How Recovery Coaches Can Help

The initial step in seeking assistance is recognising the presence of a problem. If you have a prior diagnosis of one of the mentioned disabilities and an NDIS plan, it's advisable to contact a recovery coach.

Psychosocial recovery coaches are expected to possess the following skills and expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of various psychosocial disabilities and strategies for individual recovery.
• The ability to collaborate with relevant professionals and resources to create a customised and effective recovery plan.
• Proficiency in engaging with individuals, building trust, motivating them towards their recovery goals, maintaining focus, and adapting to changing needs, including the episodic nature of psychosocial disabilities.

With these capabilities, psychosocial recovery coaches effectively fulfill their responsibilities, which include:

• Providing professional support for individuals through the development of recovery plans.
• Collaborating with other professionals and services to offer necessary assistance to individuals with disabilities.
• Coaching individuals to enhance their decision-making and resilience, empowering them to gain better control over their lives.
• Assisting individuals in establishing positive connections with friends, family, and society at large.
• Maintaining comprehensive documentation of the individual's condition, progress, and recovery plan.

In general, psychosocial support undertake practical tasks such as assisting with advance directives and crisis management, utilising their specialised knowledge to support mental health and help individuals achieve their goals.

Due to their training and years of experience, they can provide more effective and personalised care to expedite an individual's recovery.

What Does a Recovery Plan Mean?

To "recover" from a psychosocial disability means, for an individual with such a disability, to seek support and work towards achieving optimal and healthy social and emotional well-being. Therefore, the goal of a recovery coach is to assist these individuals in gaining better control over their daily lives. This includes self-management, overcoming negative emotions and isolation, and fostering positive emotional experiences.

All of these efforts are aimed at improving the individual's overall well-being. A psychosocial support can create a recovery plan that encompasses the following components:

• Establishing both short-term and long-term goals for the individual.
• Identifying any fluctuations in the individual's recovery progress and making necessary adjustments to the plan.
• Providing guidance to the individual regarding their responsibilities in the recovery process.
• Coordinating and organising other NDIS supports or clinical assistance as required.
• Recovery plans may vary in their timelines but are typically implemented over extended periods to ensure the highest quality of support for the individual.

A Guide To Finding Psychosocial Recovery Coach

If you're ready to embark on your recovery journey, here's a straightforward guide to finding the right coach for you:

Step 1: Start by conducting some basic research to locate recovery coaches online. You can initiate your search by using online platforms. Alternatively, consider reaching out to your NDIS plan manager or local coordinator for assistance in connecting with recovery coaches. Another option is to consult the registry of NDIS providers.

For added convenience, you can visit My Support Coordinator, where you can schedule a complimentary 15-minute online chat with our highly regarded recovery coaches. Our compassionate and skilled coaches are dedicated to crafting a personalised recovery plan tailored to your unique needs. You can also read about the experiences of our clients to gain further insight.

Step 2: Compile a list of questions you'd like to ask the coach. When seeking a coach, you probably have numerous questions in mind. It's efficient to list these questions and address them all during your consultation. Key inquiries may pertain to their expertise in handling your specific psychosocial challenges, availability, commitment to patient privacy, and your comfort level with their team. This approach ensures that you gather comprehensive information about the coach's approach and determine if their services align with your preferences.

Step 3: Schedule a meeting with the recovery coach. You can easily book a free 15-minute chat online at goalcoach.com.au. During this consultation, you can engage with our expert team to kickstart your recovery journey. We offer online services, and rest assured, you'll be interacting with a real person. Whether you choose an online chat or a video consultation, our telehealth services allow you to connect with our recovery coaches via your phone, iPad, or computer.

To prepare for your virtual appointment, simply book a time slot, wait for an email or SMS confirmation, and be ready to join a Microsoft Teams meeting at your scheduled time. Entering the meeting is a straightforward process via the provided link in your confirmation SMS or email.

Opting for virtual consultations offers several advantages, including convenience, zero risk of exposure to contagious diseases like COVID, and savings on travel expenses. You can relax and engage comfortably from the comfort of your home, making it an ideal setting to have all your questions addressed.

It's important to note that recovery coaching is fully funded under the NDIS, provided you have an NDIS plan that includes support coordination or recovery coaching.

My Support Coordinator: Your Psychosocial Recovery Coach

If you're in search of a qualified professional to serve as your psychosocial recovery coach, look no further than My Support Coordinator. We are confident that we have a coach who comprehends your needs and knows how to collaborate with you to achieve your self-improvement goals.

What sets My Support Coordinator apart is our commitment to providing prompt assistance. We have eliminated waitlists and are accessible to individuals throughout Australia. We have established a comprehensive online service model that prioritises the care and attention of our team, resulting in positive outcomes for our clients.

When it comes to finding a recovery coach, location can often be a determining factor. Typically, clients seek providers based on geographical proximity. However, this approach can sometimes limit access to high-quality coaches and may not take into account the reviews and experiences of other clients.