Let’s imagine that (theoretically) you’re struggling right now.
You’re feeling unfulfilled, you don’t have the success you’ve had in the past, and you feel like you aren’t living up to your potential.
First of all, you’re not alone.
I’d go so far as to say that if you feel like you’re struggling right now, you’re part of the majority.
After all we’ve been through (and are NOW going through), this feels like the norm.
So what do you do to feel better?
Do you need a therapist, or do you need a coach?
Today I’m going to break it down for you and let you know which one will be a better fit, and what to expect from each.
Let’s do this!
Same & Different
There is a lot of overlap between therapy and coaching.
But they are also very different, and you can expect different outcomes from both.
Similarities:
- Both will make you feel better
- Therapy and a (good) coach will both give you more insights about yourself and how you work best
- Both will give you tools to progress forward
Differences:
- Therapy is past-focused
- Coaching is future-focused
Let me outline those differences now:
Coaching
Coaching is designed to get you to a future goal more quickly and easily.
Let’s imagine you have a goal to run a marathon.
You might hire a marathon coach to help you realize that goal.
(Good) Coaches are great because:
- They’ve been where you want to get to
- They know what you need to get there
- They can spot blind spots before they hinder you
- They have a wealth of tools to get you to your goal
Could you achieve your goal without hiring a coach? Yes. You could research all the plans, do all the digging, and go through trial and error to reach your goal.
But working with a coach will help you get there more quickly, save you time and effort, and it’s frankly more fun to have someone else cheering you on.
Therapy
But let’s say, you’re plugging along, working toward achieving your goal (of running a marathon or otherwise), and you find that other people who are not as skilled or talented as you are passing you up.
How come they can achieve these goals of yours, and you somehow can’t?
Well, you may have a wound from the past that is holding you back.
In our analogy, let’s imagine you have an old ankle injury that hasn’t healed right. It’s holding you back from your goal of running a marathon.
In this case, a marathon coach isn’t terribly helpful. But a physical THERAPIST can help you heal that past wound so you can be free to run your race.
Other Considerations
Sometimes I hear people who have been in therapy for years talk about how they feel better, but don’t feel like they are making a lot of forward progress.
That’s because therapy is typically past-focused. Once you work through the past, a coach will be more helpful in getting you to your future goals.
On the other hand, I talk to many people who are trying their best to do all the right things, but they just aren’t making a lot of progress.
In this case, it may be that you’re carrying a lot of old, worn-out beliefs about yourself that served you in childhood but are no longer useful. A therapist can help you release those.
What about the order or events? Which should you pick first?
Find a therapist if you’re struggling to keep your head above water. Let’s close up those gaping wounds and get you to a functioning place.
If you feel like you are functioning fine but could probably benefit from a therapist AND a coach, you might wonder where to start.
I’ve actually seen a lot of success with clients who do both at once. It’s up to you, but this is definitely an option if you want it.
But Amber, if I go to therapy it’s like admitting that I’m broken
This is a common misconception.
I honestly think that investing in your mental health is as essential as working on your physical health.
I wish that therapy was more widely available to everyone. But right now, it’s akin to hiring a personal trainer for your brain.
You’re worth it. And you’ll see nothing but lifetime benefits from investing in your mental game.
Minor tweaks will make a HUGE difference in your trajectory.
P.S. If you aren’t sure where to even look for therapists, I recommend Psychology Today. You can search their marketplace and filter down until you find a therapist you can trust.