Benefits of a Life Coach
Challenging life events or transitions can create a significant amount of stress in a person’s life. The resulting stress can make it very difficult to overcome those challenges while staying focused on one’s goals. When these situations arise, having a life coach can be extremely beneficial. A life coach provides objective support, accountability, and can guide someone on the path to success while providing many other benefits that we discuss below.
Life Coaching vs. Therapy
When clients approach us about our coaching services, we often get asked about the difference between coaching and traditional therapy. Many people often compare a life coach to a therapist; however, life coaching is a unique service that takes a different approach than therapy. According to research, the purpose of therapy is, “to focus on past traumas and issues to change self-destructive habits, repair and improve relationships, and work through painful feelings.” In comparison, a life coach focuses on the present as a starting point to achieve future goals. Therapy is focused on regular, long-term sessions, whereas life coaching can be either long or short-term. A client works with a life coach to clarify goals and identify obstacles, in order to create an action plan to achieve their desired results.
One of the biggest differences between a therapist and a life coach is that a life coach does not “diagnose” their clients. A therapist will determine illnesses so that their patients can be clinically treated. They look to provide a deep understanding of behaviors and patterns. Conversely, a life coach will simply identify and describe current behaviors that could be preventing their clients from achieving their goals, and offer guidance to help modify these behaviors and overcome challenges. A life coach measures their client’s success with key performance indicators and specific behavioral outcomes and goals.
Even though both therapists and life coaches work to create positive changes in the lives of those they help, the two professionals have distinct differences. Therapists focus on “why” certain behavioral patterns occur, and life coaches focus on “how” to work toward a client’s goals. When a client works with both a therapist and a life coach, therapy can provide clarity on the past for coaching to then focus on a plan for achieving future goals. By utilizing both, a therapist and life coach can work together to maximize their client’s treatment outcome.
Benefits of Working with a Life Coach
A life coach provides a personalized plan to help individuals stay accountable while providing support and guidance, acting as an objective observer. They serve as a sounding board and trusted confidant, and help clients navigate through challenging life events with confidence. They also work to reveal where their client’s mindset is currently at, discover where their client is trying to go in the future, and illuminate a strategy for how to get there.
The benefits of having a life coach include:
— Professional accountability
— Goal development and achievement
— Overcoming challenges and obstacles
— Improving confidence
— Minimizing stress
— Unbiased feedback
A life coach can greatly contribute to personal growth and development while helping individuals stay focused on creating a better future for themselves.
Are you in need of guidance to overcome obstacles and help minimize stress? Our team at Feinberg Consulting is here to help. We offer an initial consultation to determine if life coaching is the right option for you. Our team is available to meet with clients via Zoom or over the phone, and the frequency varies based on client needs. Speak to an experienced professional today at 877.538.5425 and start achieving your goals!
