COACHING versus THERAPY
Let's talk about the difference between therapy and coaching. I think it's important to understand that while they both can be beneficial, they serve you differently and usually have different effects.
In coaching, we focus on the future and how to create the life you want. We may touch on the past to acknowledge and process any limiting beliefs or patterns, but our main goal is to move forward and help you level up.
I'm the first to say therapy is helpful to those who need it. I myself have been to therapy and have referred others to it. But people often come to coaching after they've already been to therapy and some - okay many - have found it to be too focused on the past; what they really wanted was to move forward and make positive changes in their lives.
During therapy sessions, some people found themselves
- having to dredge up negative memories or emotions when they weren't necessarily feeling bad that day
- feeling forced to pull up problems in the session to make therapy do something... and they would have rather focused on forward-moving action - and what's positive. They found themselves wanting something to change, something better, something more. (I call it leveling -up).
- feeling better, even elated during therapy, but later wondered, "okay, now what?"
Some people have shared that
- The therapist made suggestions or gave advice. And while the client thought this was a good idea, they didn't feel they came up with the solution. (I coach you into identifying your own views; to look for, hear, and consider other's perspectives!).
- They did not find a therapist who understood them, or they didn't feel connected with them.
- They had a pleasant therapist, but they felt like they weren't making progress towards a better future. (I help you with changing your default mindset for the future!)
Therapy is good for acknowledgment, insight, venting, resolution, and coping tools;
Coaching spurs you to come up with answers, to think, self-reflect, create possibilities, act, and go forward.
"So, do I want Therapy or Coaching?"
Some indicators:
Therapy:
.
💗 You may need an exam, diagnosis, possible treatment for a mental illness
💗 You have consistent suicidal thoughts.
💗 You cannot function, or you barely function ex: essential hygiene, stay in bed or on the couch all day, can't focus or work at all.
💗 You live in the past; you can't process it on your own.
💗 You need to heal from past trauma.
💗 You blame all of your problems on others: job, people, the government.
💗 You believe you can't change.
Life Coaching: First and foremost, you want to level up and make changes in your life.
💚 You are high-functioning and high-performing, whether it be at home, at at work or at play.
💚 You want a better body, self-care routine and lifestyle.
💚 You want to improve a relationship, or get into a new one.
💚 You want to stop thinking about leaving a bad relationship and leave it.
💚 You want to improve and love your love-life, sex-life, and intimacy.
💚 You've tried so many 'manifesting fads, trends and woo-woo stuff' that are not working for you. Or frankly, "they're not your thing."
💚 You want transformational change, not soley inspiration and motivation.
💚 You're not afraid of doing the work on yourself and not being passive.
💚 You know that by hiring an expert and doing the work, you can achieve your goals so much faster than on your own.
💚 You're smart about budgeting and won't sacrifice basic bills for coaching.
💚 Like all of us, you get a lot out of the self-care rituals, events, books, and podcasts, but you know by themselves they're not enough.
💚 You're sick of quick fixes that don't stick, and instead you want lasting good change and growth.
💚 You want a more fruitful way of thinking and reacting, mindset and life! 💚 And you want to start on this now and not waste years!
Both Coaching and Therapy are valuable. Neither is better. They're just different and can complement each other.
- It's important to note that coaching can't replace psychiatric or medical treatment, and therapy may be necessary for certain issues.
- Similarly, medication or therapy alone may not be enough to create actual change in your life.
Like most coaches, I'll get to know you and have you begin to pave the way by asking questions such as:
- What areas in your life would you like to focus on &/or improve?
- What specifically would you like to work on in each session?
- What's the vision of your future? What are your dreams and aspirations?
- Where would you like to 5-10 years from now?
By answering these questions, you and I start drawing a roadmap for your coaching journey, and I specifically
fold all this into my Methodology that I tailor to you. It's the foundational proven method of (I O E): Identify - Optimize - Execute.
If what you need is guidance on making practical changes in your life, my coaching may be just what you need.
Let's find out.
Reach out.
