Therapist vs Life Coach
Therapists help clients look to their figurative yesterdays in order to overcome deep-rooted issues, whereas life coaches are there to help you jump off today's launching point to succeed tomorrow. The skills you learn from a therapist are designed to foster healing from whichever challenge you are facing. Coaching, on the other hand, sets you up with tools to reach bigger dreams or break free if you feel stuck on repeat in your life.
Therapy focuses on mental health and emotional healing, while life coaching focuses on setting and achieving goals. Additionally, Therapists are trained mental health professionals who are in the regulated field of healthcare and require substantial education, Life Coaches do not have mental health training and are not equipped to diagnose or treat mental health conditions. |
Consider therapy if you want to heal or get help with a mental health concern; try life coaching if you need help getting “unstuck” or realizing a fuller potential.
Online vs In-Person
Life coaches begin with a longer initial session to gather information about the client’s life goals, obstacles that have gotten in the way, mindset and behaviors that have been helpful or harmful to the client. Subsequent sessions are designed to prioritize the client’s strengths and values, visualize their future, and learn science-backed strategies for cultivating happiness.
The point of coaching is constant progress, so sessions are geared to nurture your strengths and use that learning to get you forward in an effective, practical way. Many of the coaching methodologies can be applied over Video Conference however deeper changes may require a physical presence. |
When assessing fit with a Life Coach, prioritize your comfort level.
Testimonials
Dan from Edmonton, AB. |
Sherry from Beaumont, AB. |
Mark from Red Deer, AB. |
My experience working with Joe was invaluable, both to my personal development and my start in e-commerce. He helped me figure out what exactly I want to do, why I haven’t done it yet, and how to create that change in my life. Equally important, he’s a witty and funny guy who instantly makes you feel comfortable.
I don’t have any other Life Coaches to compare Joe with but after 60 plus years on this planet my bullshit detector works exceptionally well and he passes every test. He’s not only an extraordinary coach but an incredibly good human being. Count yourself lucky to work with him and even luckier to be his friend. |
In an online space where anyone can put up a website and call themselves a “life coach”, Joe is one of the few people who have gained my valuable trust. His coaching ability helped me launch my own fulfilling business.
I am grateful to Joe as a role model who was able to show me that it can be done. Joe challenged my thinking, my attitudes, values and beliefs and he saw in me the potential that I needed to see in myself. I can truly say I'm living a happier life because of Joe. He was a great sounding board and offered insight I was not able to see on my own. A wonderful experience. |
Joe has been my Life Coach over the past three months and it is absolutely true that the timing of this connection and process has been none other than perfect. From the first time we met online, I was impressed with his warm yet authentic demeanor, his intelligence, and his fine ability to be an objective listener.
Every exchange has been filled with integrity that has made these sessions not only a safe haven, but invaluable. If we are here in this lifetime to experience the evolution of self and soul, Joe has graciously challenged me to rise to that potential. This experience with Joe as my coach has been an honor and a gift. |
Donna From Red Deer, AB.I had 4 sessions with Joe during a time when I had to make an extremely challenging life decision. He helped me weigh all my options and we narrowed in on my strengths and core values to ensure that I incorporated these into my decision as well. He also helped me with my resume and within one day of changing it and applying for a new job, I was immediately asked to come in for an interview, and offered the job the next day. I'm starting this new job feeling truly happy and fulfilled.
Best of all, I didn't feel like I was talking to a therapist, I felt I was talking to a wise and funny friend. He was completely down to earth, and approachable and I look forward to working with him again. |
Jason from Dawson Creek, AB.I worked with Joe to develop my leadership style and how I want to show up at work. He is an excellent listener and hones in on key words from my descriptions. Joe gives excellent perspective on work situations, and offers alternative ways to view things. Every session was actionable, and he kept me accountable by assigning homework in which I had to practice using different tools in specific work situations.
One particularly impactful session, Joe walked me through a visualization exercise in which I was able to see myself in 6 months, and that gave me a lot of understanding on what I need to do, and how I was going to accomplish my goals. I've worked with coaches previously, and none of them came close to the kind of impact that Joe had on me during our time together. |