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The differences between

Psychotherapy and Life Coaching

LIFE COACHING

 

Both parties are viewed as naturally creative, resourceful, and whole

 

Does not diagnose or treat

 

Work with higher-functioning clients

 

Work with clients who are able to form an alliance and have common goals

 

A co-active model

 

Coach and clients work on a peer basis

 

Alliance designed by coach and client together

 

Focus on evolving and manifesting potential

 

Emphasis on present and future

 

Action and being oriented

 

Solution oriented

 

Explore actions and behaviors that manifest high self-esteem

 

Regard and coach negative self-beliefs as saboteurs or temporary obstacles

 

Coach and client ask: “What’s next/
what now?”

 

Work mainly with external issues.

 

Discourages transference as inappropriate.

 

Accountability and “homework” between sessions are held as important.

 

Expected contact between sessions to
promote accountability and “wins”

 

Uses coaching skills

PSYCHOTHERAPY

 

More apt to view clients from a medical model

 

Diagnoses and treats

 

Trained to work with major mental illness

 

Works with clients with entrenched
problems

 

Therapist is the “expert”

 

Assumes a hierarchical difference between therapist and client

 

Treatment plan largely designed by therapist

 

Focus on healing and understanding

 

Emphasis on past and present

 

Insight oriented

 

Problem oriented

 

Explore genesis of behaviors that create low self-esteem

 

Analyze and treat origins and historical roots
of negative self-beliefs

 

Therapist and client ask: “Why and from where?”

 

Accountability less commonly expected

 

Contact between sessions less commonly expected

 

Uses therapy techniques

It should be acknowledged that the difference between some types of psychotherapy and personal coaching aren’t always obvious. Many therapists are “coach-like” in their orientations and the two do share some common ground.

 

Both disciplines can involve working with fully-functioning individuals/couples who are facing difficult situations.
Both professionals focus on helping people make changes and accomplish goals that really matter to them.

Has your time come to heal the wounds, transform your relationships, and experience the joy of passion and purpose?
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