What’s The Difference Between Life Coaching and Therapy?
There’s a common misconception that life coaching is the same thing as therapy. While both are extremely impactful experiences, there are some key differences between life coaching and therapy. Here are some of the basic distinctions between the two services that will help you distinguish which might be appropriate for you or someone you know.
Past vs. Future
A fellow Life Coach and friend of mine, Ryan Barletta, puts it simply: “Therapy focuses on your past, while life coaching focuses on your future.” When you go to therapy, you will likely work through past trauma, talk through events that have already occurred in your life, and resolve past issues or relationships. Life coaching, on the other hand, focuses on creating a plan of action to move forward towards your future goals.
(Psst— any males reading this, Ryan’s coaching practice, Umbrella Coaching Services, is a fantastic choice for men who are ready to achieve their goals and change their lives.)
Areas of Specialty
A therapist is a healthcare professional who specializes in psychotherapy. They focus on resolving mental health issues by processing past traumas and changing destructive habits. Life coaches are not healthcare professionals. Rather, life coaches are masters of helping you gain clarity around your goals, identifying challenges that keep you from meeting them, and creating a road map to help you reach your desired result(s).
Session Structure
While both life coaching and therapy involve verbal sessions with professionals, the structure is actually quite different. Therapists use a more open session format, leaving lots of room for talking and exploring different areas. Therapy also varies greatly depending on the type of therapy. Life coaching is more structured and organized, with less time for chatting and letting the conversation go in different directions. A life coach will usually guide you through practical strategies that will help you achieve your goals.
When therapy might be best for you:
Working through grief
Processing past trauma
Depression or anxiety that get in the way of your daily functioning
Past issues that affect your present mindset, behaviors, and actions
When life coaching might be best for you:
Desire to achieve big goals but you aren’t quite sure how
Becoming “unstuck” from a work or life situation
Accountability & encouragement
You desire a higher level of joy and fulfillment in your life
