Find a Life Coach near you
The average rating for Bark Life Coaches is 4.9, based on 14,366 reviews
5/5
based on 14,366 reviews
Life coaches, therapists, psychologists… aren’t they all the same thing? Well, no.
You wouldn’t be the first to group these people together into the same profession, and you most certainly won’t be the last. But, if you’re looking for some direction or counselling in life, it’s important to figure out exactly how these professionals can help.
Today, we’re going to tackle two of the most commonly confused professions: life coach vs therapist. Hopefully, by the end of this, you’ll understand the difference between the two, and know who can help you out at certain points in your life.
To start out, let’s take a look at exactly what a life coach does.
Generally speaking, a life coach is professionally trained, but won’t come from a medical or psychological background. This is really important to remember, as a life coach is not qualified or prepared to help with mental health issues, PTSD or other forms of trauma.
Instead, a life coach tends to work with clients and build a path for them going forward. They might help to set goals and discuss steps to achieve these goals, whether it be in your personal or professional life. These small steps can contribute to improving psychological issues such as mental health, but relying on a life coach to help with deeper-rooted problems isn’t advised.
On the other hand, a therapist is a medically trained professional who has gone through specialist training. This training is key in treating psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma or certain types of disorders. Therapists can also be used in group sessions, something that is often used by families or couples seeking marriage counselling.
If you are looking for general help in life with things such as ‘making the right choice,’ setting achievable goals, careers advice or help forming stronger relationships, a therapist would be a poorer choice, and this is where you can benefit from a life coach.
When it comes to figuring out the difference between a life coach vs a therapist, it’s never a point of preference. It’s important to consider your own needs and who is best suited to help. As a general rule of thumb, a life coach will assist you with your goals and aspirations going forward, whereas a therapist will look back and help iron out any issues you may have encountered in the past.
While confusing these two professions may not seem like a huge problem, hiring the wrong person to help you in your time of need can be extremely damaging. Before you hire either a life coach or a therapist, it’s important to do your research to figure out who is the right fit for you. Once you’ve decided, you can use Bark’s filtered search option to find a life coach, or therapist, in your local area, and compare quotes.
The average rating for Bark Life Coaches is 4.9, based on 14,366 reviews
5/5
based on 14,366 reviews
Need a life coach to guide you towards a more fulfilling life, but unsure about costs? Find out how much your expert will charge based on the type of package, where you live, and whether you opt for in-person or online services.
