Life Coaching has become a widespread and growing field in the past few decades.
It’s an exciting field that can propel people to live their best lives by teasing out the inner wisdom within every person.
Some coaches specialize in all sorts of niche areas, including career, divorce, family, mental health, mindset, spirituality, sports, business executives, finance, life skills, dating and relationships, diet and fitness, addiction, family life, and many others.
Life coaching can be of great benefit to those who are struggling in various areas of their lives.
But it’s essential to understand the differences between Coaching and therapy to make the right decision for both your mental health and long-term gain in other areas.
WHAT IS LIFE COACHING?
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) defines life coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
WHY IS LIFE COACHING USEFUL?
Life coaching can be highly beneficial for many reasons. If you are navigating a significant life event such as a career change, starting a business, going through a divorce, or feeling unfulfilled, life coaching can make a positive impact.
Life coaches can help clients achieve a more meaningful and happy life.
There are a number of signs that you may need a life coach:
- High levels of anxiety or stress
- Feelings of irritability
- Lack of fulfillment in daily life
- Difficulty breaking bad habits
- Blocked creativity
- A persistent feeling of dissatisfaction in a career
WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Mayo Clinic defines psychotherapy as “A general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health provider.”
There are many different forms of psychotherapy, and it can also be referred to as talk therapy, counseling, psychosocial therapy, or just therapy.
WHY IS PSYCHOTHERAPY USEFUL?
Psychotherapy digs into your overall mental health. You will cover things such as moods, conditions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Psychotherapy helps you to develop healthy coping mechanisms and techniques that can help you through challenging situations.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE COACHING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?
The ICF states that “Coaching focuses on visioning, success, the present and moving toward the future. Therapy emphasizes psychopathology, emotions, and the past to understand the present, and it works more with developing skills for managing emotions or past issues than does Coaching.”
Coaching focuses more on the future, whereas therapy focuses on a client’s history.
Therapists and other mental health professionals focus more on diagnosing and treating mental health conditions. They also help clients work through past trauma and other issues that originated in the past.
Although life coaches can help deal with specific unresolved past issues, they cannot heal or treat things such as anxiety and mood disorders, addiction, or any other mental health condition.
Both can be beneficial, depending on the client’s situation and needs.
IN REVIEW
There are many similarities between life coaching and psychotherapy, which can confuse those not immersed in either field.
But think of the difference this way: Life coaching is more about taking a client from functional to extraordinary. At the same time, psychotherapy is geared towards taking a client from dysfunctional to functional.
Essentially, if you’re struggling with a mental health disorder, you’d want to seek the advice of a psychotherapist or mental health professional.
If you’re struggling from a general dissatisfaction with life or a difficult decision, you’d want to seek a certified life coach.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
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