I get asked quite frequently about the difference between a therapist and a life coach. There is some common ground between the two professions, of course. The biggest one is that both professionals want to help others. Both disciplines work with individuals who might be looking for help in a specific area of life. Whether getting through hard times or planning for your future, both want to assist you. However, the most significant difference lies in who they work with daily. Let’s dive in to learn the differences between the two and determine which one you should work with.

The Role of a Therapist

A therapist is there to help you gain insight. They do this by reviewing your past and using that as the starting point of the healing process. A therapist will generally focus more on your past to learn and unearth any traumas or habits that might be the root of your troubles. Unearthing the past may or may not be a painful and emotional experience, but it allows you to understand where you are and start to heal fully. Like coaching, a therapist comes from a place of love and respect, and though it might be heart-wrenching to open up, they want you to feel better one day, if not today.

Therapists are trained to diagnose and treat disorders. The biggest difference in the therapist vs. life coach debate is that the therapist generally works with people who have some diagnosable disorder. This allows them to work with insurance companies to get paid instead of having their client pay the full fee. Regarding helping clients through certain disorders, they can prescribe medications that will help the client heal and become more stable.

Importantly, therapists do not only work with people who are struggling. Many therapists work with clients who are in a good place in their lives. Some people seek therapy to discuss a flourishing love life or a growing business. It ultimately comes down to the individual and where they are currently in life. Often, though, people who seek therapy come from a dark and low spot. You don’t have to be in a bad place to work with a therapist. A therapist is someone who cares and wants you to be in the best place possible for you.

The Life Coach Perspective

On the other hand, life coaches focus more on where the individual is today and learn where their client wants to be in their life. A life coach will work with you to help transform your current results and guide you toward your goals and dreams. The people who work with life coaches tend to be in a healthier mental state. They understand where they are and where they want to be. These individuals might feel lost or uncertain but are not in danger to themselves or others.

Like a therapist, a life coach uses your past experiences and emotions to propel you toward your goals and dreams. It does not matter if you had a rough childhood or grew up with a silver spoon; your past can act as fuel to motivate you to attain the future you desire. A coach will analyze your previous and current results to determine the best actions needed to achieve your desired outcomes. This method allows you to visualize your goals and dreams and work backward to create actionable steps.

Coaches employ various strategies such as transformational coaching, goal setting, time management, and efficiency techniques. They provide wisdom, support, and love from a place of abundance mindset. Your coach should be someone you can trust because, with the right person, you’ll know they genuinely want the best for you. Coaches aim to see you spread your wings and fly, hitting each milestone with the momentum and determination to propel you into your next life’s goal.

Making Your Choice: Therapist vs. Life Coach

Whether you choose a life coach or a therapist, you will be in caring hands. It’s essential to ensure that the person you work with has your best interests in mind. Both a therapist and a life coach should come from a place of abundance mindset and can help you discover the joy you are looking for. No goal is too big, and no dream is too scary for you to attain.

So, decide who will work best for you: a therapist or a life coach. Choose the person who will bring you to your most desired future—the life you will truly love to live. Let today be the day that you decide that greatness will be yours!

Until then,

Michael Rearden

Founder of Reven Concepts