Skills acquired
The skills you want to develop can guide you when choosing between a life coach and a therapist, as both professionals focus on skill development.
When to choose a life coach:Life coaches can help you develop skills that drive personal and professional growth. Some of the most common skills you can acquire after working with a life coach include:
- Goal setting and strategic planning
- Time management
- Productivity
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Improved leadership
- Team building
- Greater self-confidence
- Motivation
- Better decision making
- Troubleshooting
When to choose a therapist:A good therapist will help you develop skills to manage mental health issues or emotional distress, highlighting the benefits of therapy. If you are seeking overall psychological well-being, the skills you will gain in therapy may include:
- Emotional regulation
- Resilience
- Stress management strategies
- Better self-awareness
- Ability to use introspection for growth.
- Building healthy relationships
- Set boundaries
- Using mindfulness and relaxation techniques effectively
- Learn to identify and change harmful and unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior
Vocational training
The amount of professional training a life coach or therapist has will vary. Once you understand the differences, your decision about who to work with may become clearer.
When to choose a life coach:Most life coaches receive training that focuses on helping people pursue personal development and achieve their goals. A life coach typically receives practical training in coaching and methodology that may include:
- Complete certification programs from accredited organizations
- Take courses on goal setting and motivation techniques
- Improve communication skills for greater effectiveness
- Specialized in professional, executive or wellness coaching training.
When to choose a therapist:Because therapists receive extensive training in mental health treatment, they are equipped to help you address even complex emotional or psychological issues.
Through evidence-based interventions and their deep understanding of mental health, therapists can help you address mental health challenges effectively and efficiently. Therapist qualifications typically include:
- Advanced degrees in psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatry (LMHC, MA, MSc, LPC, LCSW-S, LCSW-R, BC-TMH, DSW, PsyD)
- Clinical training
- Supervised practice in diagnosis and treatment.
- License
- Continuing education that ensures the maintenance of professional standards.
- Specialized training in specific therapeutic modalities and types of therapy.
Structure and framework
The structure and framework of a life coach or therapist can influence your experience and outcome of treatment. Knowing what to expect from each interaction can help you determine who you will feel most comfortable working with.
When to choose a life coach:Life coaching is characterized by a structured, goal-oriented framework. Their approach may be ideal if you love setting and achieving goals. You may also enjoy interacting with a life coach if you do better with an organized, results-oriented framework. Key elements of working with a life coach may include:
- Action plans that offer clear and direct roadmaps to achieve your goals
- Regular sessions and check-ins that focus on the progress you are making and address any obstacles you face.
- Responsibility for your degree of commitment to the process
- Short-term approach that delivers quick, tangible results.
When to choose a therapist:Therapy is a flexible, process-oriented framework. Key elements of the structure you should expect when working with a therapist include:
- Exploration of thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
- Exercises to guide self-discovery
- An adaptable pace tailored to your comfort level
- Therapeutic techniques adapted to your needs and mental health conditions.
- Potential long-term commitment that helps address deep-rooted problems and focuses on long-term change
Duration and frequency
When deciding between a life coach and a therapist, it’s important to understand the differences in session length and frequency to find the option that best fits your lifestyle and needs.
Life coaching:
- Duration: It generally involves shorter commitments, ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
- Frequency: Sessions are typically more frequent, often weekly or biweekly, to maintain momentum toward goal achievement.
- Flexibility: Scheduling is often more flexible and accommodates busy or fluctuating schedules.
Therapy:
- Duration: It generally involves long-term commitments, which can last several months or years, depending on the complexity of the problems.
- Frequency: The frequency of sessions may vary, often starting weekly and potentially decreasing as progress is made.
- Depth: Sessions can be longer and more in-depth, focusing on exploring and resolving underlying issues.
