life COACHING versus THERAPY
Let's talk about the difference between therapy and life 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 life 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!)