Life Coaching or Therapy?
As a certified transformational life coach with a focus on wellbeing, personal development, growth and healing, I often get asked: “How is this different from therapy?”
If I’m honest, coaching can be therapeutic, even though it’s not therapy. It’s a safe space where you can feel seen, heard and understood as you explore the most important parts of your life. And my approach is rooted in many different therapeutic styles: person centred therapy, CBT, and positive psychology being my favourites.
As a medical doctor with a BSc in Neuroscience and Mental Health, I have a good understanding of mental health conditions. I have also turned away potential clients when I recognised that they had a specific condition that would benefit from therapy rather than coaching.
Why? Because I want what’s best for you, whether we work together or not.
Here are THREE key differences between life coaching (the way I do it) and therapy. And scroll to the end for a myth buster about coaching!
1) Coaching is for EVERYONE.
LIFE COACHING: Diagnoses can give context, but it’s not the focus of the work
vs THERAPY: Often used to treat specific illnesses e.g. anxiety, depression.
Having coaching doesn’t mean that you are broken, or that something needs to be fixed. It means you are ready for change; stepping into a future where you feel happy and fulfilled. You might be feeling lost, stuck or overwhelmed with life right now, and you may have a history of anxiety or depression too. Many of my clients have had therapy in the past, and now want something that will help them move confidently into the future.
2) Coaching is FUTURE FOCUSED.
LIFE COACHING: Focused on the future (whilst gaining understanding from the past)
vs THERAPY: Often (but not always) focused on exploring the past.
In coaching, we are moving forward with a vision for what you want your life to be. We aren't just getting stuck in the past or talking in circles about the parts in your life that you aren't happy with.
We're exploring your values, working out what is important to you as you move forward and coming up with actionable strategies for meaningful change.
3) Coaching is GOAL ORIENTED.
LIFE COACHING: Often starts with a goal or outcome that is important to you
vs THERAPY: Usually the aim is to improve symptoms or an illness.
I’m not talking about the goals your parents or your bosses gave you. I’m talking about the ones that really matter. Creating your own definitions of success and happiness.
Goals don’t have to be material. Maybe you’re working towards inner peace, happiness, confidence and authenticity. Maybe there are big life goals to explore too; career, relationships, family, health. It’s all welcome here.
MYTH:
LIFE COACHING: Your coach will tell you what to do
vs THERAPY: Guiding you to find the answers
4) This myth is false! Coaching is COLLABORATION.
I’m not here to tell you what to do. I’m here to support you as you find and create your own path.
Coaching is often confused with mentoring, which is directive; a mentor may give advice or tell you what to do.
A good coach will ask the right questions to get you to open up your thinking, push you to explore all the options, and help you to find the answers for yourself.
I help women who are tired of feeling lost, stuck, overwhelmed and unfulfilled. If this post helped you realise that coaching is what you’ve been looking for, together we'll focus on slowing down, taking the time to explore who you really are and what matters to you most. So that you can start taking action and building a future where you’re thriving.
