Don't Give Up!

"What's the different between a coach and a therapist?" I've been getting this question a lot. It's a very good question! It's really important to distinguish between the two so that you know which direction to choose should you feel you need some support. Let's start by thinking about powerful athletes. They generally work with an athletic coach. Imagine, if you will, that the coach in this scenario might tell the athlete what to eat, how much sleep they have to get, suggest they get physio or go to the doctor for their injury. In training sessions they say "try it again," "do it this way," "don't forget this part," and "don't give up!" A coach essentially ensures that their athlete has the best mindset because actions without a good mindset won't win them any medals. And of course winning at their sport is the goal for the athlete. The coach just helps them get there.

A therapist on the other hand delves deep into your history of what you have been through. They help you see your past and help you see patterns of behaviour that might not serve you. They can diagnose you and suggest medications that might support you in reducing symptoms while you plug away at very strongly rooted historical events that trigger all sorts of emotions and behaviours. You can sit in a therapists chair for as long as you need to really work through your past.

You might be beginning to see and understand somewhat of the difference between what a coach is versus what a therapist might provide a person. However, I just want to clarify exactly what a Life Coach is, because there are some obvious differences between even the types of coaches that exist. From a Sports Coach perspective you noticed that they motivate their athlete in the here and now to help them move towards their goal. In Life Coaching it truly is almost the same but the goal is more specific to the person's overall life. Therefore, a person might seek out a Life Coach to help them figure out certain road blocks that might be holding them back from living the life they truly want to be living.

In my LIFE coaching practice, I look to align the individuals goals with the behaviours that they need to do in order to move closer to their goal. For example, a client may come to me stressed about her career and trying to find a balance between her career goals and her family goals. I will discuss with her a specific break down of her goals and steps that it will take to get to where she wants to go. I then set up times to cheer her on, to keep her accountable to where she wants to go in life and to revisit and change things up as she achieves her goals or as she changes her mind in what her goals are.

A therapist is someone who will hold your hand as you walk through your past and a coach is someone who will cheer you on as you step closer towards your future self. Both are amazingly skilled at what they do. Both a Coach and Therapist are tremendous helpers. At times in your life you may need one or the other or both at the same time.

If you'd ever like to give coaching a try, let me know. I'd be happy to walk you through the process. I'd be happy to help you identify who your future self is going to be and help you find your inner power as you walk towards that goal.

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Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it. - Maya Angelou

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Journal Prompts

I've set aside this section to provide some Journal Prompts for you to map out how you feel a coach or a therapist might be helpful to you. Once you've had a chance to journal about this you may feel a pull to explore coaching. Please feel free to connect with me for a free clarification call where we will meet to discuss your goals and lay out the steps we can take together to get you to where you want to be. I look forward to connecting with you.

1. In your Journal write about how a Coach might help you with the Here & Now

2. In your Journal write about how a Therapist might help you to Revisit Your Past