Life Coach vs Therapist: What is the Difference? — Gareth Michael
Today, more people than ever are finding themselves on a quest for more personal and professional fulfilment. This often leads people to seeking professional help from a life coach or therapist, but do you know the difference between a life coach and therapist? Which should you choose should you need support?
You’ve likely heard of life coaches and therapists, With levels of depression, anxiety, and mental health issues rising, people are looking for support and guidance to help them make sense of their experiences.
Life coaching and therapy often need clarification. If you are unsure whether you are looking for therapy sessions, also known as counselling, or coaching services, read on to discover the differences and what each modality offers.
What is a life coach?
Life coaches work with people who are looking to move past life challenges and achieve their goals. Life coaching focuses on empowering you to take control of your life and break away from your comfort zone. A coach offers you the opportunity to create action plans, which will help you to become more accountable and achieve your life goals.
Whilst coaching sessions may touch on the past, especially if you are feeling held back by limiting beliefs, coaches who do not have the relevant training aren’t always equipped to help with past trauma. Instead, coaching focuses on looking ahead to the future and setting an action plan that begins in the present moment. For any deeper issues, it’s important to seek the advice of mental health professionals.
What is a therapist?
The therapist focuses on past traumas and how they affect your life today. This safe space is ideal for treating mental illness and mental health conditions, which require a more personalised approach. A therapist may use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to treat mental health. This mental health treatment is a well-known talking therapy that is often used to explore the relationship between the mind and our behavioural patterns.
Therapy sessions are generally guided by the client, with a therapist taking a listening approach to allow space for the client’s introspection. These sessions are particularly good for supporting a person in navigating their emotions and processing and making sense of the things that they are feeling.
Buick Hamblin, counsellor, and psychotherapist, says that "therapy is a journey of self-discovery and healing, a safe harbour where one can unpack their burdens, understand their feelings, and chart a course towards a healthier, happier life."
What are the differences between a life coach and a therapist?
Both terms are used widely, but many people don’t understand the difference between difference between therapist and life coach. Whilst coaching and therapy both help clients to make positive changes in their lives, life coaches are not therapists and are not able to directly treat conditions caused by past traumas, such as anxiety.
Good coaches will advise clients when they require a safe space of therapy as a base treatment before they can commit to working with a life coach. People seeking to be challenged, and fulfill their potential by moving past the limitations of their minds, will benefit greatly from life coaching.
A therapist, on the other hand, is an expert who can help a person understand their trauma and mental health challenges. Therapy focuses on the deep introspection needed to understand how the past may be stopping a person from moving forward. When it comes to thinking about a therapist vs life coach, it’s important to look at your particular needs before deciding which route will suit you. Here are the main differences:
| Life Coach | Therapist |
| Guided by the coach | Guided by the client |
| Empowers | Supports |
| Focuses on the future | Focuses on the past |
| Works with goals | Works with trauma |
| Focused questions | Open-ended questions |
| Helps you to break through limiting beliefs | Works with a specific outcome in mind |
| Short-term - wants to empower you to coach yourself | Long-term commitment |
How to choose between therapy and life coaching
There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a life coach versus therapist. First, it’s important to understand your individual needs and the specific benefits each approach offers. Whether it’s personal growth, career coaching, or dealing with childhood trauma, identifying your goals is vital in knowing which is the right path for you.
Next, consider whether you are working towards future goals or working with past or present emotional wounds. Life coaching tends to focus on working towards goals, whereas therapy is ideal for dealing with past and present trauma.
Considering whether you are looking for emotional support or motivation is also important. The difference between coach and therapist is that they offer different types of relationships, with differing timescales. Life coaches offer a motivational approach that is based on a short-term relationship and fast results. Whereas therapists offer a supportive option that tends to focus on working together in the long term.
Selecting the best life coach for your needs
It can take time to find the right coach that can help you to achieve your goals. Working with a coach is a commitment to your growth so it’s important to take your time in choosing the right one. You may want to consider the goals that you have to ensure you choose someone who specialises in that area or check that their coaching style aligns with your values.
Most coaches offer a free call or consultation to determine if you’re in alignment with their work. The relationship between a coach and a client is crucial so take your time to check that there’s a good rapport and that you feel comfortable and understood.
Skillsets and Qualifications
Life coaches and therapists are equipped with different skills to guide people through personal growth and mental health challenges.
Therapists are licensed mental health professionals trained to treat mental illnesses and emotional issues. Their training requires many hours of supervised practice to be able to obtain a license. They must be active listeners and observers, have patience, and be able to communicate clearly.
Life coaches are not typically licensed as therapists but may have certifications and training in coaching techniques. While life coaching isn’t regulated like therapy, many coaches undergo thorough training to become certified. As well as looking for a coach with relevant certifications or training, they must have great people skills, have a good understanding of psychology, and be able to provide a non-judgemental space for people.
When to seek out a life coach or a therapist
When considering life coaching vs therapy, it’s important to think about your individual needs. You might have specific trauma that needs to be addressed via therapy, CBT, or counseling, which can help to get you in a good place before considering life coaching. Therapy is also effective if there is something in particular that you are looking to process and move past, especially when it’s affecting your mental health and day-to-day life.
If you’re feeling stuck or limited by your own beliefs, then a life coach can help you take action toward your future goals. Coaching is a great tool to help you have more accountability in life and empower you to make the changes necessary for you to fulfill your potential in life.
It doesn’t always need to be a choice between therapist vs coach. In some circumstances, although there is a difference between a life coach and a therapist in their approaches, some people find it useful to work with both experts at the same time to achieve the right balance.
How Therapists and Life Coaches can support you on your spiritual journey
Therapy and life coaching are both great options that can help you to change your life. Working out what your goals and objectives are will help you to choose the right option for you.
Whether you are looking for support with trauma and emotions or are seeking guidance and accountability for moving towards a more purposeful life, embarking on a spiritual coaching or spiritual therapy journey will offer you the space to delve deep and explore your experiences from a higher, more spiritual perspective.
Get in touch today to find out how working with Gareth will help you connect with the deepest parts of yourself and transform your life.
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