How is a Life Coach different from a Therapist?

So, who is a life coach?

Is a life coach a therapist? Is a coach somebody who deals with all the past problems that a person may have? Do only the best of the best work with a coach?

‍‍Coaching has historically been thought of as a professional development tool for high-performers at work but its applications extend much further.

A life coach’s job is to create a more beautiful future which means that a life coach enters your life to ask you empowering questions that will help you paint a vision of your future and a vision for what you could be and then help you in different areas of your life to progress towards that vision you created. A person that is looking for a life coach is usually a person that is looking for expanding their life, for finding better, greater versions of themselves. 

Here’s how Coaching and Therapy are different

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A therapist’s focus is usually on the past. A therapist would ask you questions about your past and try to pluck away instances that may have created different meanings in your life that are now sabotaging your present and maybe even your future.

A life coach’s work is pretty different. They don’t necessarily focus on what may have happened in the past. What they focus on is what’s happening right now, and what’s the vision for the future.

A life coach’s work is very focused on finding out the future in each of the important areas of life their client may have. Preventative coaching programs for individuals have shown to reduce psychological distress and burnout, and improve overall satisfaction in life.