I have been asked what the differences are between "Psychotherapy" and "Life Coaching." I thought I might provide a description. There are many perspectives and opinions about the differences between “psychotherapy” and “coaching” (also referred to as life or personal coaching). A common distinction states that psychotherapy focuses more on the past (e.g., how one’s childhood has influenced their personality and behavior) whereas coaching focuses more on what people want for their future. While there is some truth to this, this distinction is overly simplistic. . Psychotherapy is traditionally geared toward treating psychological, emotional and behavioral disorders. However, there are many individuals who choose to participate in therapy to improve their lives and sense of well-being, who do not have a “mental disorder” per se. As an aside, within my practice, I view “disorders” as learned emotional and behavioral patterns that can be largely unlearned with the proper support and tools. Much of the variation between psychotherapy and coaching is dependent on the individual practitioner. Many therapists have been using principles and techniques that are considered more ‘coaching-oriented’ for decades. For example, seeing the client as already whole (versus focusing on pathology); normalizing emotions; focusing on the present, while recognizing the role of the past; emphasizing strengths; helping clients discover their own answers to problems; and teaching new skills for better living. These are all things that good psychotherapists emphasize. In my practice, the main distinctions between psychotherapy and coaching are outlined below. Psychotherapy is typically for those who need help with things like depression, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, serious relationship difficulties and addiction. If emotional and behavioral issues are having a significant impact on your life in areas such as work, school, relationships, health, etc., then psychotherapy is probably most appropriate. Psychotherapy is also for those who may or may not be experiencing one of the aforementioned difficulties, but are interested in doing more in-depth self-growth work, which includes looking at how the past impacts one’s present life. Coaching is for those who are already functioning fairly well in their lives, but would like to accomplish more, such as: Maximizing performance at work (e.g., time management, efficiency, leadership skills) Developing more fulfilling relationships Increasing interpersonal skills (e.g., communication and assertiveness skills, emotional intelligence) Starting or growing a business Achieving an athletic goal (e.g., completing a marathon, achieving a ranking in your sport) Getting into better physical shape, losing weight Discovering one’s life purpose Coaching sessions tend to focus more on the present and future and less on the past. Similar to psychotherapy, the coaching relationship is collaborative and supportive. Life coaching helps clients identify and achieve goals in core areas, such as career, relationships, health/wellness, spirituality and recreation. In my practice, I sometimes integrate traditional therapeutic approaches and coaching-oriented tactics, depending on the needs and goals of the client.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 15:45:47 +0000
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