When someone asks me what I do for a living and I say I am a life coach – the first thing that happens is they get this perplexed look on their face. The next thing is the inevitable question – what is a life coach – is that like therapy or counseling? I respond no coaching is not therapy. So what is life coaching and how is it different from therapy?
The main difference between therapy and coaching is that therapy is focused on healing the client. Whereas, coaches work with clients who are emotionally sound – whole and healthy, they’re just stuck. In addition, therapists use medicine and psychiatry when working with their clients. Alternatively, coaches use intuitive listening, powerful questions and past life experiences to assist the client in finding their way.
Self-understanding and emotional healing of the client is the therapist’s goal, whereas coaches help clients move to a higher level of functioning. Therapists in turn focus on feelings and past events and coaches help their clients solve problems. Therapists help clients to resolve internal pain and release old patterns. Coaches support clients in finding external solutions and overcoming barriers – helping them learn new skills and implementing effective choices.
Are you starting to get the picture? Is it clearer now the key differences between coaching and therapy? In essence, therapists deal more with why you are the way you are and past grievances; whereas coaches start from where you are now and where you want to go – not caring why you are the way you are.
A coach helps clients identify where they are stuck in their life, where they want to be in the future and strategize actions steps for getting there – holding the client accountable for taking those steps and reaching those goals.
Now that you know the distinct differences between coaching and therapy the next question is, how does it work? Coaching can be done in several different ways – one on one, group programs, seminars, and workshops.
Many clients prefer one on one coaching which can be done either in person or over the phone. A client generally commits to a certain number of sessions, with each session lasting approximately forty-five minutes to an hour. The client is asked to submit a session prep form, prior to each coaching session, which outlines the client’s main objective/agenda for the call.
Another form of coaching is group coaching. Group coaching gives the client an opportunity to interact with others who are in the same place they are and it is a safe place to share and support one another. Group coaching also provides another level of accountability. Group coaching can be done either in person or over the phone depending on the needs and location of the members.
The other forms of coaching – workshops and seminars can be conducted over the phone or in person. The main premise behind this method of coaching is education. Most often this type of coaching is done one time around a specific topic and then the participants are given the opportunity to continue gaining support, around this topic, through continued group or one on one coaching. For example, I host Fearbuster Workshops and after the workshop many of the participants sign up for the Fearbuster Group Coaching Program.
One really unique thing about coaching is that most coaches offer a free sample coaching session. The free coaching session allows the client to first and foremost experience coaching, if they are unfamiliar with how coaching works, and last but not least get to experience the coaches coaching style to see if the coach is compatible with the client’s personality and needs. Imagine it, all of this without having an upfront financial obligation, now you can’t beat that, right.
So are you ready to give coaching a try? Is there some area in your life where you are stuck and need support? Great, then sign up for a free coaching session by completing the contact me form on my website www.lisafredette.com or call me at 814-594-5817.
Coaching vs Therapy What is the Difference - To learn more about this author, visit Lisa A. Fredette's Website.
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