Counseling or Coaching: Which One Is Right for You?

Counseling and coaching have many elements in common, and certain types of coaching and counseling closely align. However, there are some important differences.

Counseling

Counseling tends to focus on introspection. Analyzing experiences is a significant aspects of counseling. The role of the counselor includes diagnosing mental illness, treating mental health issues, and providing interventions for clients who experience emotional dysregulation. This is not the role of a coach.

Counseling is typically for individuals who are experiencing significant difficulty functioning in their day to day lives and who need intervention due to mental health disorders or highly destructive patterns. 

Counseling also seeks to provide interventions for phobias, suicidal tendencies, and addictions.

Coaching

Coaching is designed to help clients clarify goals, identify obstacles, recognize problematic behaviors, create and implement actions steps to overcoming those obstacles and behaviors, acquire new skills, identify new or untapped options, experience new ways of functioning and being, and experience greater fulfillment and new and meaningful outcomes in life.

The coach creates an environment in which:
  • the client moves beyond the mental blocks that stagnate change, growth, and progress.
  • the client clarifies his or her vision and creates an action plan to get there.
Coaches work with their clients to create future experiences starting in the present of the coaching dynamic. 
Is coaching right for you? Scroll down to see.

How Would You Describe Yourself?

​Would you describe yourself as one or more of the following? Someone who:
  • is looking for meaningful, personalized mindset shifts that lead to transformative living.
  • is seeking to acquire new awareness, take new action, and implement new skills in your life.
  • feels stuck and wants to gain or regain momentum.
  • has new or existing goals/endeavors that you desire to effectively pursue and see come to meaningful results and outcomes.
  • is facing a life change and desires to find a positive and meaningful way through it.
  • feels impeded by past experiences or current situations and wants a new way forward.
  • needs a safe and compassionate environment in which to face personal realities and discover the way forward.
​​Then coaching is worth exploring.

Is Coaching Right for You?

Are you faced with having to navigate through an unexpected life change? Or are you desiring to gain clarity regarding decisions you need to make, launch a new business or a side hustle, experience greater marital fulfillment, make changes in how you handle your finances, turn overwhelming responsibilities into manageable stepping stones, prepare for an upcoming life change, develop as a leader in your field, or determine how to navigate relationship dynamics (as a spouse, parent, friend, colleague, etc.)? These are just some of the areas in which coaching proves to be very beneficial. You can book a session here.

"So, ​Which One is Right for Me: Counseling or Coaching?"

If you are suffering from untreated mental health disorders or if mental health disorders are interfering with your daily functioning, then mental health counseling is suggested as the first course of action. Coaching, on the other hand, is designed for those who are needing help, support, clarity, insight, and accountability in: making necessary changes in life, overcoming obstacles, working through challenging situations, regaining a sense of balance, navigating or improving difficult relationships, moving beyond past hurts and losses, clarifying goals and purpose, navigating a significant life transition, gaining clarity and insight in an ongoing situation, and much more.  Click here for more information on which service is right for you.