What is the difference between Life Coaching and Therapy?

Coming from a family of counselors and social workers I fully condone therapy but there is a major difference between the two. Life coaching will focus on where you are now and where you want to be (looking forward). Therapy typically looks at childhood, past traumas, etc. Here are some examples of how they differ:

A life coach would be able to offer guidance by:

  • Clarifying your dreams, goals and visions that are on your heart

  • Working together to set goals and how to achieve them

  • Relationships— what you really want and how to have healthy ones

  • Working to improve certain skills like: communication, interviewing, etc.

  • Finding the work/life balance that you have craved for so long

  • Starting a new business adventure or growing your current one

A therapist typically focuses on ways to:

  • Recover from past situations and traumatic times

  • Dig into why past relationships have not worked out

  • Work through depression or anxiety