When to See a Therapist vs. a Life Coach
Both therapy and coaching can help individuals find fulfilment and happiness. But knowing which one will be beneficial to you, as a client, can be tricky. And making the incorrect choice can delay progress.
Life coaching is not a fast-track pass to happiness and fulfilment. If there is trauma to work through or healing to be done, that must be addressed before life coaching. However, there’s a point in which therapy’s positive effects begin to plateau.
If you are still unsure which option is the right fit, schedule a consultation with a therapist or life coach. They can determine if you are a good candidate for their services.
Criticisms of Life Coaching
Life coaching has faced criticism since the beginning of the profession, largely because there is no governing board or licensing body that regulates the field.
This allows all kinds of people to market their services as “coaches.” Most are well-intentioned, but some are motivated purely by money.
Another factor contributing to the skepticism toward coaching is its association with the self-help movement. This genre of books, workshops, and videos boomed in the 1990s and surged through the 2000s. Best-selling books like “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The Secret” have helped millions of people.
The field’s lack of regulation is a double-edged sword. While it can certainly attract insincere opportunists, it also allows those who are truly passionate about helping people to make a living without the huge investment of time and money needed to earn a psychology license.
What does this mean for potential clients? Be vigilant when searching for a life coach, explore testimonials and understand the process of engagement fully and bring a friend or family member to the initial consults to gain a second perspective on the process and the goals being set out for you.