What’s the Difference Between a Life Coach and a Therapist?
This is a very common question.
What is the difference between a therapist and a life coach?
A life coach will not deal with things such as depression, anxiety or prescribe medication. A life coach may also make a recommendation when therapy may be needed if they feel that you could benefit from speaking to a professional.
Very often, having a therapist in conjunction with a life coach works out to be a very complimentary process. Your therapist will work through some of the deeper problems that may have held you back in the past, while the coach assists you in the forward moving process to obtain your goal.
Future vs. Past
A life coach will acknowledge your past, where you have been, where you are now and where you are going. A life coach's main focus is to work with you to move forward.
A life coach will work with you to align your goals, need and values.
Life coaches can help you deal with mental blocks that may be due to something you experienced in the past by helping you rewrite your story and making peace with where you have been.
Should it exceed their area of expertise, they may recommend therapy if needed.
Solution Focused vs. Problem Focused
Another key difference between life coaches and therapists is their focus.
A therapist may work with you on a problem, but their focus is what happened to bring you to this point.
A life coach has a more forward moving process, with the goal in mind to move you towards your destination. You should consider life coaching if you want to figure out how to implement change, build a life that aligns with your needs and values, and ignite the passion to achieve your life's bliss.
The solution-focused approach will create momentum to move you quicker towards your goals.