Coaching or Counseling? Which one is right for me?

Psychotherapy in life coaching are both forms of support which are aimed at helping individuals improve their lives. There are, however, some differences.

So, the focus in approach of each is very different. Psychotherapy focuses on diagnosing and treating mental health disorders, emotional difficulties, and psychological issues. It often involves exploring past experiences, understanding, emotions, and changing patterns of thinking, and behavior psychotherapy is conducted by a licensed mental health professional. I am a licensed mental health counselor and half over 30 years experience, treating the aforementioned conditions. On the other hand, coaching focuses on setting and achieving specific goals in various areas of life, such as career, relationships, health, and personal development. Life coaches, help client identify their strengths, and clarify their values, and create actionable plans to reach their objectives. Life coaching tends to be more present and future focused, aiming to enhance personal and professional satisfaction, rather than addressing psychological issues.

Psychotherapy address is a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, and personalality disorders. Psychotherapist are trained to work with individuals, couples, families, and groups across different therapeutic modalities.

Life coaching, primarily focuses on personal and professional development, goalsetting, career, transitions, time management, and improving overall life satisfaction. Life coaches, do not diagnose or treat mental health disorders, and they may refer clients to therapist, if deeper emotional issues emerge during coaching sessions.

Psychotherapy sessions typically occur weekly or biweekly, and may continue for an extended period of time, depending on the nature and severity of the issues being addressed.

Life coaching sessions are often more flexible in terms of frequency and duration with client scheduling sessions as needed to work on specific goals or challenges. In summary, while both psychotherapy in life coaching, and to facilitate personal growth and well-being, they differ in their focus, approach, credentials, and scope of practice. Psychotherapy is geared towards addressing mental health, concerns and emotional difficulties, well, like coaching, is more about setting and achieving goals to enhance various aspects of one's life.

I have been a psychotherapist for over 30 years. I have experience in both life, coaching and psychotherapy. Life coaching, although new has been around for a long time and will help you to find out what your goals are, work on yourself in between sessions, and understand your own limiting beliefs that are keeping you from achieving those goals. I look forward to hearing from you to see which of these two approaches fits you best.