What is the difference between a Life Coach and a Therapist? Part 1

So what’s your problem? When have you heard this statement? You may respond: “Okay, I have a problem. What should I do? Call a Life Coach or a Therapist?”

 Many of us played sports at some point our lives. A colleague of mine gave me a good analogy for the difference a between a Life Coach and a Therapist. She uses the sport coach (Basketball) description on how to achieve excellence and be at a leading player.

“As a coach, we'll discuss the "game" and "how" it's done, we'll show you a few techniques on "how" to make the basket and win the "game" and we'll coach you through those techniques because we can't do if for you, but we can show you how it's done. In my experience a therapist will discuss the "game", discuss "how" it's played but when you're on the court, there isn't anyone on the sideline "coaching" you.  Coaching is a “hands on” approach to all issues that we face; because as we know only 15% of us are auditory learners.” (Sally Simcox , Therapeutic Coach® in training)

Therapy focuses on analysis and interpretation of feelings, thoughts and behaviors. A therapist generally works with cognitive therapy – talking about the behavioral issues installed in the problem and how it came to be. Clients are encouraged to look at the past and attribute their difficulties to relationships and events in childhood, family, education and religion. The dilemmas are discussed at length to find the source and revivify the feelings. A client may discover they recycle the same six or seven negative beliefs; which can cause further anxiety and depression. A therapist is discouraged from using their personal information or life experience as a resource to the client. Thus the connection is clinical not as personal.

 There are proven benefits in both modalities.

 In coaching there is no patient/doctor relationship; rather more like a mentor/mentee relationship. A coach will disclose personal information or life experience that benefits the client. 

The client is not diagnosed with a disease, disorder or label that could be used in legal or social settings.  Life Coaches are not subject to insurance rules and regulations, therefore; are not required to justify their fees to government agencies. There is a trend for therapists to further their education to include coaching. This gives them the option to bypass the paperwork and charge the client directly.