Life coaching vs. therapy

How is a life coach different from a therapist? This is a common question many people ask. In short, life coaching and therapy are not the same thing. While both are focused on improving well-being, there are distinct differences. Therapists require certain educational and license prerequisites to provide mental health care treatment.

Coaches work on personal growth and professional life development. Certified coaches help their clients build and utilize the right tools to reach their goals but don’t (and shouldn’t) offer clinical mental health care. Let’s dig into this more.

Life coaching 

When comparing life coaching to therapy, here are some key differences: 

·         Life coaches work as guides through various aspects of your life 

·         Coaching is focused on personal development and professional life growth 

·         Coaching can resemble talk therapy, though coaches work differently and can’t practice as therapists

·         Coaching focuses on goal setting, achieving goals, behavior changes, shifting perspectives, and overall self-improvement and personal growth

·         Professional coaches can help you improve your physical health, emotional well-being, and financial wellness

·         Life coaching is not mental health treatment or clinical care 

·         At Better Up, our coaches focus on sustainable, behavior changes rooted in psychology