I often am asked what I do for a living. My response that I am a Transitional Life Coach and Clinical Hypnotherapist usually gets a puzzled look. Some have the courage to ask me exactly what is a Life Coach and how does it differ from counseling. Others just mumble and walk away, or ask about the Hypnotherapy piece completely ignoring the life coaching portion. So, let me address what a Life Coach
really is and the difference between counseling and life coaching.
Counseling, as defined by http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com, is “treatment of mental disorders and behavioral disturbances using verbal and nonverbal communication, as opposed to agents such as drugs or electric shock, to alter maladaptive patterns of copying, relieve emotional disturbance, and encourage personality growth.”
Wow! I am definitely NOT a counselor. Counseling focuses on what is wrong with the person. Life coaching focuses on what is right! A Transitional Life Coach works with people going through changes in life. I help you see opportunities in that change. The whole “change your mind and change your life” mantra.
Did you know that almost 95% of our beliefs and attitudes are formed before age six[1]? It is the way that our young minds struggle to discover how this whole world works, and our place in it. It is survival and it is okay.
We then spend the rest of our lives perceiving situations and events that support those exact beliefs and atitudes. One of the questions I often ask is how does that belief serve you now in your 30's, 40's and beyond? Most likely it doesn't so we need to find a new belief that serves you. A new belief that serves the
person you are and want to become.
When I meet with a client, I see this incredible and perfect individual before me. I am inspired by all that is right and all that works! My job is to get that person to see what I see about themselves. Sure, things “come up” in sessions and that's okay. Life coaching is about identifying the roadblocks, or subconscious programming, that inhibits the person from achieving their goals in life. Then we create a different belief, one
that serves them, to take them to their next level.
Psychological counseling also takes time—lots of time. I know a woman that has been in “therapy” for 30 years. Really? Thirty years? Life coaching is about providing the client with the ability, the tools, to achieve their goals without years of commitment. With few exceptions, my clients transition out in 8-12 sessions (3-5 months). My coaching goal is not to spend years analyzing your “issues” but to help you uncover what is holding you back, and develop new beliefs and attainable goals. We then work on reaching those goals together. I gently push and celebrate your victories. I am your greatest fan! If you don't achieve your set goals, we step back and ask why. What held you back? Is there another belief that doesn't serve you? Then let's create a new one that does.
I am not discounting psychological counseling, not at all. It has a valuable place and many people benefit from it. But life coaching is not counseling. Life coaching is short-term, goal-oriented, and works with high-functioning individuals to change their mind-sets ultimately allowing them to fly solo. My reward is seeing them succeed, and making a lifelong friend in the process.
[1]Katz Delauney-Leija. “What is Energy Modality Psych-K?” EFT, MTT & Tapping Therapy Articles, The International Energy Psychology Article Archive, www.eft-articles.com
really is and the difference between counseling and life coaching.
Counseling, as defined by http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com, is “treatment of mental disorders and behavioral disturbances using verbal and nonverbal communication, as opposed to agents such as drugs or electric shock, to alter maladaptive patterns of copying, relieve emotional disturbance, and encourage personality growth.”
Wow! I am definitely NOT a counselor. Counseling focuses on what is wrong with the person. Life coaching focuses on what is right! A Transitional Life Coach works with people going through changes in life. I help you see opportunities in that change. The whole “change your mind and change your life” mantra.
Did you know that almost 95% of our beliefs and attitudes are formed before age six[1]? It is the way that our young minds struggle to discover how this whole world works, and our place in it. It is survival and it is okay.
We then spend the rest of our lives perceiving situations and events that support those exact beliefs and atitudes. One of the questions I often ask is how does that belief serve you now in your 30's, 40's and beyond? Most likely it doesn't so we need to find a new belief that serves you. A new belief that serves the
person you are and want to become.
When I meet with a client, I see this incredible and perfect individual before me. I am inspired by all that is right and all that works! My job is to get that person to see what I see about themselves. Sure, things “come up” in sessions and that's okay. Life coaching is about identifying the roadblocks, or subconscious programming, that inhibits the person from achieving their goals in life. Then we create a different belief, one
that serves them, to take them to their next level.
Psychological counseling also takes time—lots of time. I know a woman that has been in “therapy” for 30 years. Really? Thirty years? Life coaching is about providing the client with the ability, the tools, to achieve their goals without years of commitment. With few exceptions, my clients transition out in 8-12 sessions (3-5 months). My coaching goal is not to spend years analyzing your “issues” but to help you uncover what is holding you back, and develop new beliefs and attainable goals. We then work on reaching those goals together. I gently push and celebrate your victories. I am your greatest fan! If you don't achieve your set goals, we step back and ask why. What held you back? Is there another belief that doesn't serve you? Then let's create a new one that does.
I am not discounting psychological counseling, not at all. It has a valuable place and many people benefit from it. But life coaching is not counseling. Life coaching is short-term, goal-oriented, and works with high-functioning individuals to change their mind-sets ultimately allowing them to fly solo. My reward is seeing them succeed, and making a lifelong friend in the process.
[1]Katz Delauney-Leija. “What is Energy Modality Psych-K?” EFT, MTT & Tapping Therapy Articles, The International Energy Psychology Article Archive, www.eft-articles.com
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