Life Coach vs. Therapist: Who Do You Need?

You’ve got a problem. You feel like you’re going through the motions every day without feeling anything. If you do feel something, it feels a little like apathy, unhappiness with some anxiety and depression thrown in for good measure. You want to feel better, but who’s your best resource to consult?

That depends. Both life coaches and therapists focus on improving people’s well-being, but there are some distinct differences between the two. Coaches are professionals that work on improving certain skills for personal or professional development, but are not medical or healthcare professionals. They provide clarity, self-awareness, self-confidence and guidance to help clients reach their goals. And often, the timeframe for working with a coach is shorter than working a therapist.

Therapists, on the other hand, are licensed and trained medical professionals that provide mental health treatment for people with diagnosed mental illnesses. Some of the reasons people seek therapists is to assist them with deeply-held beliefs, emotional difficulties or past trauma. Also, therapists often work with clients for extended periods of time, sometimes years.

Another way to look at the difference between the two is that therapists are past and present-focused while coaches look at where a client is today and where they want to be in the future. Therapists focus on “why” certain behavioral and psychological patterns occur and coaches work on “how” to reach a goal.

It’s important to understand that the life coaching industry is unregulated. Many coaches are certified, but it’s not a necessity. What’s more essential is that you find someone you trust and connect with and that your coach guides and encourages you to reach your goal. That’s their job.

If you still aren’t sure which professional to consult, you might want to evaluate your situation based on the answer to the question, “What do I want to accomplish?” If it’s more goal oriented, seek out a life coach. If it’s geared more towards mental health or past behavioral patterns, a therapist may be more beneficial for you.

Now, back to your problem. Spend a little time talking to different coaches and therapists to see who feels like a fit for you. We are all unique and different. Find someone you feel comfortable talking to – you’ll be doing a lot of that with them. And the good news? You can absolutely have both if that best fits your needs.

With Grace,

Leah

P.S. And if this resonated with you in any way, please share it with others. The more compassion and understanding that’s out there in the world, the better.