The Differences Between Life Coaching and Therapy

As you pursue professional help with your mental health and improving your mindset, it’s important to know what kind of services are best for you. While life coaches and therapists share many common principals and values, the services may differ in ways that make a huge difference for you as the client. Here are the differences between life coaching and therapy:

Wellness vs Healthcare

A primary difference between life coaching and therapy is the impact that therapy can have on your overall health.

Life coaching is great for establishing organization in your life and accomplishing tangible external goals. Life coaches are present and help you set goals to achieve now and for the future. By definition, life coaches are wellness professionals that guide you through day-to-day life and create strategies to help you overcome life obstacles. 

Therapy can help you treat mental illnesses and disorders that may be impacting your physical health and relationships. Therapist can also be called counselors who help you work through past traumas in a long-term treatment process tailored to your needs. Therapists are healthcare professionals who set research driven, solution-oriented action plans to help clients overcome pain and difficult feelings. Unlike life coaches, therapists are trained to provide treatment and rehabilitation.

Differences and Similarities

Although there are many differences between therapy and life-coaching, policy and training are among the key separators of these services. Since therapy is a healthcare practice, therapists are required to adhere to national standards of confidentiality and provider-client privilege. Life coaches may often specialize in helping enhance a particular aspect of life or accomplishing a specific set of goals, but they are not held to the same strict standards of privacy and care. Most life-coaches do prioritize your privacy as a client and will vow to keep your sessions confidential, which is great for establishing a sense of trust.

Another difference between the two is that life coaches will help you daily to reach short term goals and handle present matters such as work life balance, motivation, self-esteem, etc. Whereas therapist will work with you over a longer span of time to help heal, recover, and cope with many stressors that may disturb your mental health. Both life coaches and therapists use therapeutic techniques to help their clients. The ultimate goal in both professions is to create a positive life change.

The benefits of life-coaching and therapy:

Should you have a therapist AND a life-coach on your wellness team?

There are so many life-enhancing benefits that come from receiving life coaching. Coaches help create constructive development, which can help to improve your overall mindset. They help boost your self-esteem by providing you with a sense of support and accomplishment. Having the support of a life coach can lower stress levels, giving you peace of mind and a sense of satisfaction.

Therapy helps you identify and cope with your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It provides clarity and strengthens your sense of self-awareness while helping you find motivation and peace. Therapy gives you the security of having that one unbiased person you can go to and organically unload your brain, knowing that their intention is to provide you with solutions and a chance to unwind.

Life coaching and therapy work hand-in-hand to help you establish and maintain a productive and peaceful life. If you’re in need of a coaching session, or are searching for a therapist who genuinely cares about your well-being, schedule a consultation today and let’s discuss your needs.