Do I Need a Life Coach or Therapist?

When seeking professional help to overcome your mental and emotional challenges what is most important is finding a service and provider that make you feel comfortable and safe.

There can be a lot of shame attached to life challenges that affect your mental and emotional health. What's important for you to know is that you are not the only one dealing with challenges and struggles. 

Life coaches and therapists can be super beneficial in helping you move through to the other side because they likely have had to overcome their own S.H.I.T. (Shame Hurt Insecurities and Triggers.)

Finding a professional who is transparent about the challenges they have overcome can be very comforting because let's face it, nobody wants to feel that they are alone in the world of struggle.
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So how do I know which one to choose?

The major difference between life coaching and therapy is therapy has it's main focus on mental health, while life coaching focuses on mastering the game of life while offering you support in creating the life you desire to live in the future.

Here are some of the main differences:

• Therapy focuses on healing the past. Life coaching focuses on creating a fulfilling future.
• Therapy helps you heal from mental issues. Life coaching teaches you how to achieve your dreams and free yourself from old habits that don't support your success.
• Therapy is structured based on the type of treatment. Life coaching sessions are designed to improve several areas of life and are structured to facilitate progress and forward movement.
• Therapy often has no set end date. Life coaching clients often enroll in short-term session packages.

Therapists are trained mental health professionals who are regulated and required to be licensed in their field.
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Life coaches do not have mental health training and are not equipped to diagnose or treat mental health conditions (unless they have been trained as a therapist, which is also common).

When to work with a Life Coach:

• You want to accelerate your life and learn how to set and achieve goals.
• You feel like you are stuck and want to challenge yourself to move beyond your comfort zone.
• You are struggling in your relationships and want to identify how you are contributing to your own unhappiness.
• You recognize that you have habits that do not support you being happy or productive and you want to learn how to form new ones.
• You have limiting beliefs that keep you from living your best life and you want to quiet that critical, judgmental voice inside you.
• You recognize that WHO you currently show up as is a creation of others (parents, exes, teachers, friends) and you are ready to meet the authentic, true you within.
• You believe that your life has a greater purpose and you are ready to discover it.
• You feel confused in your life and relationships and you need guidance in clearly defining your next chapter.
• Something feels like it's missing and there is a feeling of unfulfilled even though you recognize that you have much to be grateful for.
• You need some inspiration and want to be excited about life again.
• You have major goals that you would like to accomplish and need someone who will hold you accountable and help you stay on track.
• You want to become the greatest version of yourself and would like to have a reliable person in your corner to support you in doing so.

​When to work with a Therapist:

• You are having a difficult time navigating your emotions.
• You are struggling with mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, trauma and disorders, that are causing distress in your life.
• You are struggling to heal from past hurts and traumas.
• You have experienced major trauma in your relationships and need help processing the pain.

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How to Pick The Right Person
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What to look for in a Life Coach:

• Someone who inspires you to become the greatest version of yourself.
• Someone who is experienced working with the issues that you are seeking help with.
• Someone who has proven and effective strategies to improve your life.
• Someone with whom you feel comfortable and safe being vulnerable and open with.

What to look for in a Therapist:

• Someone whose method and style prioritizes your comfort and fits your needs.
• Someone whom you are confident you can have a productive relationship with.
• Someone who is experienced with, or specializes in, the presenting issue you are seeking help with (depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or any other mental health condition).
• If applicable to you, work with someone who can prescribe medication such as a Psychiatrist.

Finally, note that different coaches have different approaches and coaching philosophies so be sure to select a coach whose approach and style of coaching resonates with you.

​Check out their social media platforms, do a Google search and read their reviews.

When it comes to self-care, personal development and seeking help, there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach. What works for others might not be what's best for you. 

This truth applies at different points in your own life: Whereas something might have worked well for you in the past, now you recognize that you'd benefit more from taking a different approach. Sometimes it is necessary to try different avenues to discover what's best for you.

What matters most is that you are willing to invest in your overall well-being so that you can live a successful, happy and productive life that supports you in being well and whole.

No matter what your incentive may be for seeking help, it's helpful to understand where the roles of a life coach and a therapist differ so you can make an informed decision on which support style is right for you.

Whichever path you decide to follow, be sure to pat yourself on the back for taking the important first step in your self-care, self-improvement and empowered life.

To see if we might be a good fit for your mental and emotional wellness needs check out our available services here.