Therapist or Life Coach?

Perhaps you've been thinking about speaking to someone about issues that are taking place in your life and occupying your headspace, some so overwhelming, disabling us from living a 'normal' life. Speaking to someone other than your friends, parents or life partner may be a new idea for you. Even at this stage, you should be aware of how incredible it is that you are moving towards a decision to improve yourself and learn how to turn your circumstances around. It is equally important for both men and women at any age. Not knowing who to turn to is a common predicament. Allowing a complete stranger in on your deepest secrets and personal life is very scary. "Can I really trust telling this person my 'weird' rituals that keep me sane? Will she think I'm crazy that I need things to be so clean or a certain way? Will he think I'm being 'too much' or that my problems are insignificant? Will she make fun of me? Will she gossip about my habits? Will I be able to tell the truth about what really happened or what bothers me in myself"? These are all great questions. Luckily, most of these are resolved within the first few minutes of speaking to a real professional who knows how to receive your secrets and flaws properly. A professional who has studied well is prepared to hear all about it and will help you feel comfortable. The professional will not scold you like a parent, the professional has your best interest at heart and is grateful for your trust to confide in him/her with anything that is bothering you from what may seem like the 'smallest' issue to the most difficult life changing situations. This person is here to support you in the best possible way, for you.

Who should I speak to?

There are some important differences between a life coach and a therapist in their approach, training, and scope of practice.

A therapist is a mental health professional who works with clients to address the very deep psychological and emotional issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or relationship issues that are unfortunately products of previous traumas, experiences and the environment which we grew up in. Therapists focus on helping clients understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, usually by taking a very deep look into the past, family dynamics and traumatic events to make sense of the present and work to promote changes in mental and emotional wellness. They use evidence-based techniques and interventions depending on their training and the needs of their clients, to help clients work through these emotional wounds, towards understanding, healing and personal growth.

In contrast, a life coach, is one who helps clients identify and achieve personal or professional goals, to develop personalized strategies for success, and improve their overall quality of life by positively influencing your immediate environment. At times, it is necessary for sessions with a life coach to deeply review past events or family dynamics to have a clear understanding of why things have been a certain way up until the present. Then a life coaches will focus more on the present and future. They make use of teaching you a variety of tools and techniques, such as, creative-responsibility, interpersonal communication (how we speak to ourselves), personalized action plans, techniques for rebalancing yourself through difficult times and how to enjoy yourself more along the way.

While some life coaches may have training in counseling or psychology, they are generally not licensed mental health professionals and cannot diagnose or treat mental health disorders. Therapists, on the other hand, are trained and licensed to provide mental health treatment, and may use a variety of therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or somatic experience. Therapists are better suited to diagnose and treat illnesses or disorders* such as, eating disorders, substance abuse and addiction, marriage and family, OCD, anxiety and depression. There are also quite a number of different fields of expertise when it comes to therapy.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists. • Focus of Treatment: Psychologists and Psychiatrists often have different areas of focus in their treatment approaches. Psychologists often work with clients on a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, and stress management. Psychiatrists often focus on the treatment of severe or complex* mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.

• Scope of Practice: Psychologists and psychiatrists have different scopes of practice. Psychologists are trained to provide therapy, conduct psychological testing, and provide diagnosis and treatment for mental health disorders. They cannot prescribe medication, but they can work with a client's primary care physician or psychiatrist to ensure that clients receive appropriate medication if needed. Psychiatrists are trained to provide medical management of mental health disorders, including prescribing medication and conducting medical evaluations.

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs): MFTs specialize in working with couples and families to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships. They may also work with individuals who are experiencing issues in these areas.

Art Therapists: Art therapists use creative processes and art-making to help individuals express themselves, reduce stress, and explore emotions. They may work with children who are unable to fully comprehend and express their emotions, and adult clients who have experienced trauma or grief.

Play Therapists: Play therapists use play-based techniques to help children and adolescents express themselves, build self-esteem, and develop coping skills. They may work with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or other difficult life events.

These are just a few of many examples of the different types of therapists and their areas of expertise. It's important to find a therapist who has the appropriate training and experience to meet your specific needs and concerns.

Nervous to open up? It is normal to feel nervous or anxious about opening up to a therapist. However, it is important to remember that therapists are here to support and help you. They have heard many different stories and struggles from clients and are trained to provide a non- judgmental and supportive environment.

Start small: You don't have to share everything at once. Start with something small that you feel comfortable sharing and see how you feel.

Ask questions: If you are unsure about the point of the session (what to talk about, how to say it), you can ask your therapist. This can help to alleviate any fears or concerns you may have and guide you towards talking about what you want help with.

Remember, anything you discuss with your therapist is confidential, which means that they cannot share your information with anyone without your permission, unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or others. Everything stays in that room. It is your time to talk about and work on what truly troubles you or what you desire most with yourself. With time and trust, you may find that opening up to your therapist becomes easier and more comfortable. Lastly, it is incredible that you are going to work on yourself, this is truly brave and important work, and where lasting changes towards happiness begin.