| Are you feeling stuck in your life: directionless, | | | | guidance. |
| unconnected, and frustrated? Your life is pretty good | | | | A life coach isn't a psychologist or therapist. |
| but it isn't great. You don't think you need counseling, | | | | Psychological intervention is outside his territory. He is a |
| but you still need help figuring out how to get from | | | | mentor who works with his client to identify what she |
| "good" to "great". If so, you might need a life coach. | | | | wants from life and how to get there. |
| Life coach. What is one? What do they do? How is a | | | | The client's present state of mind. |
| life coach different from a licensed professional | | | | Someone who needs a counselor is often |
| counselor? How do you decide which person will best | | | | experiencing a crisis, whether as a result of an internal |
| help you? | | | | conflict, destructive behavior, or marital/family problems. |
| Here's a rundown of the major differences between a | | | | She may also have problems in her present life |
| professional counselor and a life coach. (For clarity, I | | | | resulting from past hurts such as abuse, trauma or |
| have used "she" to refer to the client and "he" to refer | | | | grief. Clergy and physicians often refer people to |
| to the counselor or coach.) | | | | counseling. In turn, a counselor can refer the client to |
| Past versus future. | | | | other professionals. For example, while I received |
| In general, counselors focus on how the client's past | | | | counseling for an eating disorder, my counselor asked |
| influences her present problems, and address | | | | me to meet with a nutritionist to discuss healthy eating |
| behaviors and issues related to the client's internal | | | | habits and practical methods to gain weight |
| psychological conflict. For example, a counselor | | | | appropriately. |
| working with a severely depressed client would ask | | | | On the other hand, someone who needs a life coach |
| questions about family background, when the | | | | isn't in a crisis. Usually, there are few, if any, past issues |
| depression began and any events that might have | | | | to deal with. She simply feels stuck and knows that |
| triggered the depression. Then the counselor can help | | | | what she is currently trying to do isn't working as well |
| her deal with the present crisis. They might also | | | | as she would like. She is afraid to take action or |
| recommend a consultation with another mental health | | | | doesn't know what actions to take. She's ready to |
| professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. | | | | experience major change. For example, a woman |
| In contrast, a life coach focuses on helping the client | | | | might desire a career change to a more fulfilling job |
| define her goals so she can be successful in the | | | | that also gives her more time and energy for her |
| future. Rather than delve into mental illness or | | | | family. A life coach could help by helping her learn |
| dysfunction, the coach helps the client assess her | | | | what sparks her interest and gives purpose to her life; |
| values and goals; then the coach offers practical | | | | then the two can come up with a plan of action to set |
| advice for change that will bring her behavior in line | | | | her on the road to a purposeful, balanced and happy |
| with her values and goals. One friend of mine felt | | | | life. |
| disconnected from other people; he knew he needed | | | | Licensure. |
| close relationships but was unable to figure out how to | | | | Life coaches do not have to be certified and there are |
| develop these. His coach encouraged him to explore | | | | no set requirements to become one. Some colleges |
| specific routes to deeper friendships, including asking | | | | and universities now offer programs for training, but |
| an older man to mentor him and becoming | | | | again, with no base standard, the experience and |
| accountability partners with a small group of men who | | | | quality of the coach will vary. |
| met for lunch frequently. | | | | In contrast, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) is |
| Scope of their territory | | | | licensed at the state level and requires a master's |
| There are several different types of counselors, with | | | | degree in counseling or a related field, and supervised |
| specialities in mental health, substance abuse, behavior | | | | clinical experience. The requirements vary from one |
| disorders, marriage and family. They often work with | | | | jurisdiction to the next, so check with the National |
| other mental health professionals (such as psychiatrists | | | | Board for Certified Counselors for your state's |
| or psychologists) and family members affected by the | | | | requirements. |
| client's issues. For example, when I was being treated | | | | For recommendations on either counselors or life |
| for an eating disorder, my counselor had my parents | | | | coaches, ask for recommendations from a |
| come with me a few times; we were able to discuss | | | | clergyperson, physician or other mental health provider, |
| how my behavior was affecting my parents and | | | | or trusted friends. |
| resolve some relationship issues with the counselor's | | | | |