There is a colossal difference between a therapist and a life coach, yet it’s easy to still confuse the two. Life coaches are everywhere, promising to help you get out of a rut and grow into the person you were meant to become.
As tempting as this sounds, if you’re struggling mentally, choosing a life coach instead of a therapist can actually do more harm than good.
Let’s take a closer look at the difference between the two.
Becoming a Life Coach vs. Becoming a Therapist
Not to discredit all life coaches—some are incredibly helpful—but… the life coach industry is unregulated. It’s the Wild West of self-help. Someone can literally take a 2-hour course and call themselves a life coach.
To become a therapist, you have to pledge your first born. Okay, not really, but it’s an incredible commitment financially and time-wise. It involves getting a master’s degree, then working under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional to obtain a seemingly insurmountable number of clinic hours. Getting those hours takes years.
Flooding, Boundaries, and Lack Thereof
One of the challenges of the life coach industry is because it’s unregulated, there are no real ethical guidelines. Often, life coaches will provide emotional support and try to help their clients navigate tricky dynamics without an ounce of mental health training.
This can be really dangerous as most are ill-equipped to handle emotional flooding and dysregulation, and lack the understanding of how to properly navigate these challenges. Additionally, there are little to no boundaries, and the line between ‘friendship’ and ‘life coach’ can become quite blurred.
Therapists are trained professionals. They’re well-versed in what is required to help people work through trauma, depression, anxiety, and other factors that interfere with everyday life. You not only get someone who can spot and handle emotional and mental health challenges ethically, but also have the skills to help you reach goals.
If a patient is flooded or triggered, or maybe past traumas that were suppressed come to light, therapists are able to help the person move through these challenges safely and effectively.
When to See a Therapist and When to See a Life Coach
Since a life coach cannot diagnose or treat mental health issues, it’s important to be clear about the challenges you perceive as holding you back. If it’s time-management, it could be that you need some help organizing, or the time management issues could be due to undiagnosed ADHD. If you lack motivation, it could be because you need assistance with goal setting, or it could be that you’re depressed, yet so disconnected that you’re unaware of it.
It can be tricky to ascertain the root cause of why you’re feeling the way you are. If you’re at all unsure, your best course of action is to see a therapist.
The price of therapy and life coaching are pretty comparable—sometimes therapy even costs less than a life coach—and remember, you’re seeing someone who dedicated years of their life to soaking up the knowledge and getting the degree.
At the Relationship Therapy Center, we help people address the root cause of what is hindering their motivation and attention, plus we address mood challenges, relationship issues, and other mental health symptoms.
If you’re looking for therapy in Roseville or Fair Oaks, please reach out. We’d love to hear from you and share more about how we can help.
Therapy in Roseville, CA, Fair Oaks, CA, or Online in California:
If you are ready to change your life for the better, we can help. Our therapists are ready to support you in your journey towards creating a healthy and happy lifestyle.
To begin counseling in Roseville, CA area, or counseling in Fair Oaks, please follow these three simple steps:
1. Contact our counseling office to get more information about what therapy would be best for you and to schedule a free consultation.
2. Make an appointment with one of our highly trained therapists
3. Find support and healing in your life!
Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:
Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville, CA and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our services include but are not limited to: Couples counseling, counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Our individual therapy services include, anxiety treatment, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. We also offer online counseling to California residents. Please contact our office to learn more about the many ways we can help you and your loved ones.