Have you ever wondered what life coaching is all about, how it differs from traditional therapy and which would be the better choice for you? You aren’t alone!

Coaches and therapists all have their opinions on the subject and each coach and therapist practices a little different. The simplest way to answer this question though is to describe some of the fundamental differences in what each does.

One simple distinction often made is this: therapy is for the treatment of mental illness and associated difficulties while life coaching is about situational problem solving. But even that definition can seem a bit vague to some people. People who seek coaching instead of traditional therapy often see how the challenges of emotional health is more about what they are doing or not doing vs. how their brain chemistry or childhood history affects them. In other words, they are ready to change their future rather than worry about or understand their past.

People who choose life coaching are often more interested in taking direct action on situational or life problems in order to move their life forward at a more rapid pace. Many coaching clients have tried traditional therapy in the past and while they found it to be very helpful at understanding the problem and how they got there it often did little for them in being able to move forward and affect positive and sustainable changes in their lives.

Some simple questions that can be asked about whether coaching is ideal for you include:

• Am I ready to create clarity and direction in my life?

• Do I feel “stuck” even though I know how to accomplish my goals?

• Do I have patterns of self-sabotage that affect my life, my work and my relationships and I’m ready to change them?

• Am I ready to engage my deepest passions in life?

• Is my life already working fairly well and I’m ready to create even more potential and opportunity?

• Could I benefit from someone who isn’t trying to “fix” me but sees me as whole and capable and is ready to really listen and guide me to the successes I am ready to create in my life?

• Am I ready to create the life I love and just need a little support to get there smoother and faster?

If your answer to any of these questions was “Yes!” then coaching could be an excellent choice for you.

But before you jump into life coaching with the first coach that crosses your path it’s important to understand that every coach works a little differently and focuses on different subject areas. It’s important to take an opportunity to check out a coach you might be interested in working with. Take time to understand what the coach’s focus areas are, what specialties they employ, what style of coaching is used and what experience they have in each of those areas. Just like therapists, coach’s skill sets and abilities differ widely. It’s important to find the coach that’s right for you and what you need.

Here are a few questions to ask in order to determine which coach is right for you:

• Am I focusing on personal or professional areas?

• What specific subjects or areas of my life am I looking to change?

• What style of support do I prefer?

• How ready am I to begin working on these areas towards change?

Most coaches will be happy to give you a complimentary sample session as well as talk to you about what is happening in your life and where you are ready to go. It’s important to find a coach that feels right to you and works well with your own personal style.

But most importantly…it’s important that you love your coach and your coach loves you! Without that connection of love and trust, nothing else matters in coaching.

“Not consciousness and self-understanding but a passionate inner presence makes us what and who we are.” -Thomas Moore

By: Angel True – Synergy Coach
True Living Synergy Coaching
Angel works with individuals & businesses to empower their passions, move into action, and transform dreams into reality.  In building Synergy in Life, Business & Spirit Angel’s simply philosophy is Do What You Love, Love What You Do!