How to Develop Trust With an Online Sober Coach

Navigating the path to sobriety is a challenging journey, and almost everyone in recovery needs help at one point or another. An online sober coach can provide you with the guidance and support you need to overcome addiction and achieve your sobriety goals in the real world. But how do you develop trust with one? This guide will help you understand their role, evaluate their credibility, build a relationship, and recognize the signs of progress so you know how to build a trusting relationship with your online sober coach.

Table of Contents:

What’s the Role of an Online Sober Coach?

An online sober coach provides personalized support and accountability for those recovering from addiction through regular coaching sessions via phone, video chat, or messaging. They help participants develop sober living skills, set and achieve recovery goals, and overcome obstacles in daily life. Online sober coaching opens up support to those unable to access in-person services due to demanding lifestyles, the responsibilities of everyday life, or privacy concerns.

Understanding the Capabilities of an Online Sober Coach

An online sober coach is an addiction professional who provides remote coaching to help participants maintain sobriety. They assist individuals in early recovery as well as those with established sobriety. Coaches check in regularly via scheduled video, phone, or chat sessions as an additional layer of accountability and ongoing support.

They generally aid participants in building sober “muscles” through goal setting, accountability, motivation, and lifestyle changes. Online sober coaches are accessible outside of traditional hours, making them available for real-time support when preparing for or dealing with high-risk situations like holidays or business trips. They can offer a fresh, objective perspective on recurring struggles with sobriety.

Benefits of an Online Sober Coach in Overcoming Addiction

The benefits of working with an online sober coach include:

Online sober coaches provide an accessible, private way to receive specialized addiction support when and where it’s most needed.

The Distinction Between an Online Sober Coach and Other Mental Health Professionals

Unlike therapists who diagnose and treat underlying issues, sober coaches focus entirely on supporting sobriety and preventing relapse in everyday life. They fill the gap between formal treatment and daily sober living. Unlike group support alternatives, online sober coaches provide personalized attention, accessibility, and privacy. They concentrate on accountability, lifestyle changes, and sober goal achievement. Their role complements other mental health treatments and aids participants in implementing learned skills while sustaining sobriety with ongoing motivation and coaching.

Evaluating the Credibility of an Online Sober Coach

Credentials and Qualifications of a Trustworthy Sober Coach

When researching an online sober coach, look for certifications from a reputable organization like the Joint Commission. Legitimate sober coaches have training and supervision in evidence-based methodologies like motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques. They should adhere to ethical codes and confidentiality standards. Experienced sober coaches often have backgrounds in substance abuse counseling or mental health, along with their own lived experiences.

Checking Transparency: Ask About Success Stories

Quality sober coaches provide transparency by sharing participant success stories while respecting client confidentiality. These achievements offer insight into their coaching approach, personality, strengths, and track record. Authenticity stems from examples of how coaching has aided an individual’s sobriety journey.

Seeking Advice From Health Professionals and Sober Communities

Consult addiction specialists, therapists, recovery groups, sponsors, or educational institutions for coach referrals and reviews. Those immersed in the addiction recovery community can recommend competent, ethical coaches.

Reputable coaches welcome professional collaboration and feedback to best support their participants. Getting referrals from treatment providers and trusted individuals is beneficial because not all coaching programs are the same, and it helps to understand all options available before making a decision.

When you’re ready to start exploring the option of an online sober coach, reach out to the team at ALYST Health for a confidential consultation.

Let’s Talk

Building a Relationship With Your Online Sober Coach

Establishing an open, trusting relationship with your online sober coach is essential for making meaningful progress in recovery. Here are some strategies to help build that bond:

  • Strategies for Open Communication and Honesty

    Being fully transparent about lifestyle factors that could impact your sobriety allows coaches to provide tailored support. Share your struggles openly without sugarcoating. If you feel tempted to use substances, communicate that urge early so your coach can help you practice real-world coping strategies. Ask questions without hesitation about any aspect of the coaching sessions or struggles you’re facing. Voicing concerns creates space for reassurance that your struggles are valid and you’re never alone.

  • Establishing and Respecting Boundaries

    Mutually agree on communication methods, frequency, scheduling, and cancellation policies from the outset of the partnership. This sets clear expectations for the relationship while ensuring every coaching session is as productive as possible.

  • Understanding the Importance of Consistency

    Establishing a routine meeting cadence, like three times per week, provides accountability and stability. Consistency builds trust through dependable support. If you have to cancel, communicate promptly and reschedule as soon as possible so you can stay on track with your recovery goals.

Recognizing the Signs of Progress and Trustworthiness

Looking for signs of compassion, empowerment, and progress helps gauge the health of the coaching relationship. Here are the areas to consider:

  • Assessing the Coach’s Empathy and Listening Skills

    An effective online sober coach displays compassion, emotional intelligence, and active listening skills. Notice if they ask thoughtful questions, reflect on your feelings, and summarize perspectives to show they understand your perspective. They should validate challenges without judgment so you can safely and openly share your struggles.

  • Recognizing Progress in the Coaching Process

    Look for improvements in daily life, like increased self-awareness, healthy thinking, reduced cravings, and vigilance against addiction triggers. Hitting sobriety milestones, achieving personal goals, and collaboratively addressing setbacks are significant signs of progress that make it easier to sustain recovery over time.

  • Personal Growth: Gauging Self-Improvement and Empowerment

    Examine mindset shifts, decision-making, self-care, relationships, and aspirations beyond addiction. A trustworthy coach should emphasize personal growth by developing new skills, perspectives, and belief in positive change. Stagnation may indicate it’s time to try a new approach.

Privacy and Confidentiality in Online Sober Coaching

  • Understanding the Coach’s Confidentiality Policies

    When working with an online sober coach, privacy and confidentiality are crucial. As you share personal information, you’ll want to know that your coach will keep everything private. The best coaches will have clear confidentiality policies outlined before you start working together.

    These policies should state that the coach will keep all conversations, emails, texts, and other communications confidential. You can ask your potential coach questions about confidentiality before committing. For example: “How do you ensure my privacy during video calls?” or “Under what circumstances would you break confidentiality?” Get clarity so you feel comfortable before you begin.

  • Handling Personal Information: Security Measures involved

    Reputable online sober coaches take precautions to protect your personal information. This includes account passwords, contact details, session notes, or anything else shared during your time together.

    Coaches should use secure online platforms with features like encrypted messaging and video calls to prevent outside access. Make sure any portal or software used meets security standards.

    Coaches should utilize password-protected systems or encrypted cloud storage to store notes and files. Ask about their policies to keep your information safe. Proper security measures guard against the risk of data breaches now or in the future.

  • Knowing Your Rights: Online Privacy Laws and Regulations

    Several regulations help protect your privacy during online coaching. Coaches based in the U.S. must comply with HIPAA rules regarding protected health information. HIPAA requires coaches to disclose privacy practices and restricts personal data use. Online therapy and coaching across state lines must follow telehealth laws on patient privacy and confidentiality standards. Make sure to review your coach’s telehealth compliance policies.

Talk With ALYST to Explore Your Online Sober Coaching Options

Are you or someone you care about stuck in the cycle of addiction? ALYST Health offers confidential online addiction coaching to help you break free from home. Reach out to our team today and take the first step toward recovery.

Share This Post

Related Postings

Questions to Ask Yourself: Do I Need an Addiction Recovery Coach?Front view of a professional man speaking to a woman in the foregroundWhat Will I Discuss During Addiction Recovery Counseling?