Sometimes people just need help.  Life can throw some curveballs or even set some up mental health or medical issues.  We get everything from our parents.  We get their DNA, which could include high blood pressure, diabetes, depression or anxiety.  Sometimes, we just have a hard time.  Maybe we are feeling stuck.  Maybe we are at a crossroad in life and don’t know which direction to go.  Sometimes things just don’t make sense. When we are struggling, sometimes it helps to talk things through.  Talking can help events and issues make sense.  Sometimes having someone to bounce ideas off of can help put things in perspective and make them easier to manage and make decisions about what to do.  If you need help, you might consider whether you need a therapist, or a life coach.  Let’s talk about the difference.

Finding a therapist means finding someone licensed by the state where they practice.  There is education involved and generally they have passed a test in their respective area of practice.  They are generally trained in different forms of therapy, usually the therapy of the moment, and some will try to force patients into therapy because it’s what they know, whether it helps the patient or not.  (Sorry that was a little negative, but some therapists are better than others).  They will be able to share skills, and help patients develop coping and other kinds of skills to manage different issues.  Therapy, by a good, trained therapist, can be life changing.  Therapists also tend to be covered under insurance, so the cost may be even lower.

Life coaching is very important, but very different.  Life coaching can be done by someone with no training at all.  There are trainings and education that can certify people to be a life coach, but the training and oversight are limited, in comparison to licensed therapists.  Life coaches can help motivate people to make changes in their lives.  A life coach, depending on the training, could help someone consider and process a fork in a path.  They could help motivate life changes and curve balls, helping someone decide how to proceed.  They can be very helpful, in the right situations.  However, life coaching is generally not covered under insurance.

Therapy generally has a higher cost than a life coach.  Therapy would also be recommended for issues related to trauma.  Therapists are trained to manage trauma therapy without making things worse.  Life coaches are not trained to manage significant trauma events or other significant mental health diagnosis.  Therapists sometimes miss the mark, making things more complicated than they need to be.  Sometimes, life coaches don’t understand the nuances of mental health disorders and treat patients in ways that may not be helpful.  They both have benefits, but their differences can be the difference between getting help and getting worse.

Both therapy and life coaching have positive and negative characteristics.  If you are struggling with a choice of changing careers, a life coach may be just the thing.  If you have trauma in your background, you might need a therapist to help you manage past trauma.  Regardless, they both have the ability to help, if you need it.  Never be afraid to reach out if you are struggling.  Do your research and find the helping profession that is best for you.  There is help and there are options for support.  Take time to get help if you need it.  It’s all part of being happy, for life.