Here’s an interesting article I found about a program in the UK that is using mentoring as a cheaper way to help people with anxiety.
Mentoring is basically getting advice from someone who has gone through anxiety treatment to help advise you through the recovery process.
“Mentoring scheme helps anxiety sufferers“
Given that the mentor may not have a background in therapy or coach training, I think there is a strong element of feeling understood that creates a base of trust and safety for the mentoring student, knowing that the mentor has gone through something similar in suffering from social anxiety.
Being empathetic along with trust is one of the most important things that is necessary for effective change between a coach/therapist and the client/coachee.
That makes me both a mentor and a coach for social anxiety.
Coaching, while having much crossover with therapy at times, is a specific skillset to help people gain new insights, awareness, and create possibilities for action in overcoming social anxiety and living the life they want to live.
If you’re interested in coaching with me and my social anxiety & coaching background, please read about it first to make sure it’s right for you.
P.S. The Dissolve Social Anxiety Program is coming along well and will be released April 18th, 2012.