life coach vs therapist
there are many different forms of what we deem as support. it is definitely not a one size fits all approach and through experience we begin to realize who we talk to about what plays a role in how supported we feel. we all deserve to have a safe space to talk, reflect, understand and apply a variety of therapies into our routines to offer us some relief from life and it’s stressors. in this blog we will take a look how various modalities can be useful to us and unpack how we may benefit from a life coach vs therapist.
our society has attached Western Medicine as it’s most up-t0-date version to a clinical model of therapy. clinical therapies offer an approach that focuses on mental health with a licensed provider who can assess, evaluate and diagnosis mental illness. societal stigmas imprint a message that says this setting is the most acceptable approach to receiving support for our mental wellbeing. however, before the early 1900’s, we heavily leaned into spiritual guides, healers, clergy, and elders to guide us through life’s hard moments. Many of us are inviting back more tried and true practices in combination or even independent to clinical psychology to provide ourselves guidance through life.
how do I know if I need coaching or therapy?
first it is important to understand that whether you work with a coach or a therapist their focus, scope of services and training will dictate a wide range of approaches. another notable difference is that therapy often focuses in on the past and present, while coaching is often focused on the present while looking ahead to the future.
coaching, mentorship, guidance, healing, inspiration all come within a coaching modal that allow you to drive the focus of your sessions. in therapy, the therapist is the one who will set a treatment plan after carefully assessing and evaluating your mental wellbeing.
Thirsty for Art explains the differences more in depth in this article “Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Art Therapy Work”.
how does dKol’s life experience shape the work she offers?
both my work in clinical practice as a crisis counselor and in private non-clinical therapeutic setting I have been able to pull upon a variety of experiences that have helped shape how I offer support and who I offer support to. coaching is (rightfully) a client-directed process. as a coach, I am here to reflect, assist, support, and highlight your growth, but not drive it. what l've learned over the years of working 1:1 with people, is that often times, the first step to starting a new chapter isn't to build anew. it is to release a previous chapter that's holding you back from fully embracing this one. letting go of those stigmas that have been imprinted into your subconscious that are inadvertently holding you back from stepping into alignment with your goals/dreams.
what does real life experience equate to?
I have spent a lot time obsessing over this answer and doubting if I was qualified and/or seasoned enough to meet the standards of what society had shaped me to believe. so I decided to take a new approach to writing a resume and I put together some of the very experiences that have shaped who I am and how I show up for others.
truths I have recognized as a crisis counselor that I take with me into each session here at dKol:
* there's immense grieving in what should have been
* healing has its own timeline
* people need connection
* people just want to be seen & understood
* the tiniest steps can lead to the most beautiful growth
* asking for help is so brave
* some things should never have happened
* safe spaces are catalysts to vulnerability
* you never know the true depth of what someone is going through
* choosing to heal is a beautiful gift to the self
* that compassion & empathy has its very own magic
if you find you’re questioning who gets to decide on who you show up as in life, let’s talk. if you also feel that you’ve been hesitant to step forward more authentically due to low self-worth or hesitation of not being enough, let’s talk. I’ve been there and I’d love to show you how to break free of that.
I look forward to working with you. xo-d
