Coaching vs Therapy

Have you ever wondered what a life coach really does, and how it may differ from therapy? Well, I have too! I began a Master's Degree in Psychology and was sure I was going be a therapist. Along my journey, there were a few things that made to change course and decide to pursue Coaching instead.

People seeking change in their lives may find both coaching and therapy helpful. Coaching and therapy are distinct approaches that serve different purposes.

The biggest difference, in my opinion? Coaching has a future-oriented approach, emphasizing goal-setting and action plans to improve aspects of the client's life, while therapy often involves exploring past experiences.

Another difference that I love about coaching is it is a more collaborative approach. As a coach, I can share with you my own experiences and feedback, while therapists adhere to more traditional authoritarian roles.

It is important to note that therapists are trained to treat mental health issues. Coaches are not specifically trained in this way, and they don't hold a certain licensure. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, you may want to work with a licensed mental health professional first, before deciding if a life coach could also be helpful to be sucessful in making the life changes you desire.