Life Coaching vs Therapy Explained

Is life coaching and therapy the same thing? Short answer: NO! Discover the key differences between coaching and therapy and what a life coach really does.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 Life Coaching vs Therapy Explained
00:47 Who Hires A Life Coach?
01:52 What Results To Expect
02:20 Life Coaching vs Therapy
03:40 Life Coaching Session Example
05:23 Key Differences
07:11 What Does A Life Coach Do?
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#lifecoaching #coaching #therapy

[@mindvalleycoach]

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[@flamissia4]

The way you describe this, Ajit, sounds very clear: the therapist is about the past (works on healing a person's relationship to the past) while a life coach is about the future (setting goals and action plans.) However, in real life we discover that our obstacles to living the life we want often come from painful experiences of the past that program disempowering beliefs in our subconscious and color our perspective of life today. Perhaps a better distinction is that therapists work with people suffering from diagnosable mental health disorders, while life coaches help people with more healthy coping skills overcome life challenges. A therapist might help someone with severe panic attacks, for example, while a life coach can help someone overcome some level of social anxiety and wants to grow their circle of friendships. The person with social anxiety undoubtedly has had past experiences that caused it, and that need to be resolved. However, they're not in the "mental illness" category. I think therapists would serve their clients better if they included support in helping clients get unstuck from the past and work towards a future, and coaches would serve their clients better if they had skills to help people resolve past painful experiences that hold them back in the present.

[@JesseHueb]

Don’t mean to be critical because I did find helpful information in this, but you’ve presented a very narrow definition of therapy. The type of counseling you’ve described most closely aligns to psychoanalytic or developmental theories. However, there is a vast spectrum of counseling and many theories and techniques which focused on the here-and-now and exclusively forward, goal oriented. Many of these approaches are often grouped into “post modern” or “humanistic” theories. I would encourage anyone interested to learn about those therapy approaches as well.

[@Symbiosis-Earth]

Thank you for expanding on that.. males sense that one person can be a therapist with life coach skills to bring in or be a life coach with therapy skills to bring in and even be equally in both area and be able to move anywhere between the areas as an integrative approach enabling healing and visionary future creation.

[@jonathanfulp98]

I just realized right now that I have actually been a life coach for almost 10 years not and I didn't monetize it at all. I had a guy ask for my services, But I've been helping people for so many years and never even heard of a life coach til today. I feel this is the next step to helping more people and having the life I always dreamed of.

[@mindvalleycoach]

This is amazing, Jonathan! Maybe it's your calling. You already have the experience, now it's about setting it up as a career and business. We hope our channel can give you everything you need to do that ;) Thanks for sharing

[@jonathanfulp98]

@@mindvalleycoach Thank you for your kind words. I have been watching your videos since yesterday. 😆 🤣

[@mindvalleycoach]

@@jonathanfulp98 😄😄

[@TheBaldyheed]

@Jonathan Fulp Hey mate, how you getting on with it? Have you found anyone to coach yet? I'm kinda in a similar position as you and only just discovered this today 🤣

[@jonathanfulp98]

@@TheBaldyheed I haven't but I'll learn this till that happens or I end up picking up clients. I've been doing this most of my life and never thought about charging people for it. Lol! I think it will all come together at some point. It always does

[@jasminmann6673]

Thank you so much for this video. Completely LOVED it !!! 👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼☺️🦋

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you so much, Jasmin!!! ❤❤❤

[@dorinnefacey6436]

Just starting my coaching journey... I absolutely 💯 appreciate your videos... I'm learning so much from you. Keep up the fantastic work, clear, clarity and concise... invaluable so far

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're so happy our videos are helpful, Dorinne! Thank you for the love and kind words :)

[@followyourpath]

I couldn't agree more. As always, thank you for sharing your insights!

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you so much ❤

[@ariesyeo5297]

Totally agreed, You have explained it so so well. And brilliant questions.

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you, Aries! Glad you enjoyed it ❤

[@christopherjlee2060]

Thanks Ajit for sharing this!!! It was very useful !

[@mindvalleycoach]

You're so welcome, Christopher! Thanks for sharing ❤︎

[@TocTocTrax]

I really like what you're doing with your channel! Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you so much ❤️ We appreciate you!

[@SofozMc]

Therapy doesn't focus on the past. It depends on the modality. CBT, MBCT, ACT, SFT, systemic/family therapy, Person-centered therapy... etc are modalities focused on the present. You are not a therapist, you have no idea. You are just a promoter of coaching.

[@JohnMichaelFord]

I agree totally.. this guy has no idea what therapy is.

[@jamisedenari2449]

The point is coaches aren't therapist. There's a difference.

[@a.j.sababu1819]

This was awesome, thank you.

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're so glad it was, AJ! Thanks for sharing :)

[@queeniecc6262]

I love this super specific, easy to understand explanation.

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@ChichiEruchalu]

Such a great explaination of this thank you.

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thanks for sharing, Chichi! ❤︎

[@edh9500]

Great explanation, thanks! Definitely have clarity now.

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you, Ed! ❤❤

[@CarolzCoachingCorner]

This was a great distinction between the two. Thank you

[@mindvalleycoach]

Glad it was useful, Carolz! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@MishelFayad]

Very nice interpertation and vibe, however you lean heavily on life coaching. Maybe it would be best to have both professionals on screen for each to decribe their work effectively. Keep up the great work you're doing!

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thanks for the input, Mishel! As a coaching channel, we do focus on life coaching as it's meant towards coaches or those interested in life coaching. But we appreciate the suggestion for future opportunities.❤

[@sshena1]

This was awesome. Simplified the differences..

[@mindvalleycoach]

Yey! We're so happy to read that ❤︎

[@gourav.mathankar]

Thank you for clarifying the difference between the two.

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're glad it was helpful! Thanks for sharing 💜

[@wendypaquette1676]

Awesome clarity

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're glad it was, Wendy! Thanks for sharing

[@palaniselvi6416]

thank you Ajit for the crystal clear explanation

[@mindvalleycoach]

Glad it was useful! Thanks for sharing

[@humanfairy]

Great video!

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you so much! ❤️❤️

[@somosreesengupta2672]

Well explained. Thanks

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad it was! Thanks so much ❤

[@rhhematpour2762]

Really excellent thnx💐

[@mindvalleycoach]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing :)

[@JACINTAESPINAL]

Excellent description

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thank you so much, Jacinta ❤

[@queen_behaviour2932]

This is so beautiful. Thank you so much Ajit! I love your energy :) And also does Evercoach certify coaches? (ICF Certification that is)

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad you enjoyed this ❤! At this moment, we do not have coaching certifications... hopefully soon ;)

[@tynaturkova361]

Owsome explaining . Thank You very much, Ajit. :-)

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're so happy it was useful. Thank you so much, Týna! ❤

[@lourdesgarcia5490]

Amazing

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad you found this useful, Lourdes! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@sharonphillips114]

Thank you

[@mindvalleycoach]

You're SO welcome!! ❤❤❤

[@Symbiosis-Earth]

At first I was unsure as I experienced coaches looking at the past to clear it and open space to plan the future. However I see how this is therapy from a coach. Now I am clear that coaching is for when healing past is complete and space exists to plan future or when enough healing is complete and enough space exists to plan future.

[@mindvalleycoach]

Glad this was useful! Thanks for sharing :)

[@Symbiosis-Earth]

@@mindvalleycoach thanks Ajit, I am really enjoying the Mind Valley & Evercoach Life Coaching course :)

[@mindvalleycoach]

@@Symbiosis-Earth We're so thrilled to hear that! :D

[@inrpeace7]

Love how younger right to the point!! Awesome and useful info.

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad it was valuable! Thanks for sharing ❤

[@lwsa5684]

I’ve been stuck in my life for a while now but realized that my passion is to help people with their issues, particularly find out their past traumas, help them overcome their traumas and subsequently create a new future. So a mix of therapy and life coaching. But I’m not a “successful” person in terms of career. Does this mean I can’t pursue this ?

[@mindvalleycoach]

Of course not, LWSA! Anyone can and should learn how to coach - whether it's for a life skill, as a side hustle or a full-time career. Coaching can be extremely powerful for everyone at any stage of life. If you feel coaching is your calling, you should definitely give it a try. There is no such thing as not being "successful" in career. We make our own path and we decide what success means to us. We encourage you to watch more videos from our channel to learn more about coaching and check out what we have to offer at Evercoach.com. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@daniela.septembre7936]

I want both in one person. :> Good explanation though.

[@mindvalleycoach]

It is possible to find trained therapists with coaching knowledge as well. You'd just need to look for the right fit for you, Daniel ;)

[@chocovinniecairo]

thx

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thanks for sharing, Vinnie! ❤

[@PrevailingPower]

You are a star

[@mindvalleycoach]

So glad you enjoyed this, Virginia! Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@jeffreyliu4531]

so a person with some problems from the past shouldn’t hire a life coach?

[@mindvalleycoach]

Hi Jeffrey! I think it's safe to say we all have "some problems from the past," but what makes a difference is the focus the client is looking for and what they really need. Coaching focuses on the future and achieving goals. A coach might cover some digging into the past for context, but it's still future-focused. Someone who is stuck or emotionally unstable because of past issues will need to work on that first, which is why therapy is recommended in those cases. And as a coach, it's important to identify if what the client wants is really what they need. We hope this clarifies! Thanks for asking :)

[@danielraj3315]

Very useful and clarifying. Thanks Ajit! :) What do you think, can a coaching practice work effectively without certification? In my opinion it depends hugely on the individuals life experience, that how good coach one will and can be. Do you agree with this? And how important it is for people to look for certification when they are looking for hiring a coach? My intuition says that results are what matters, but im curious about your opinion as a professional and experienced coach. Namaste! :)

[@mindvalleycoach]

Great question, Dániel! We completely agree with what your intuition is telling you ;) Certifications are great if you're a new coach with no previous experience and want a coaching model to follow to get started with. But you can definitely be a great, successful coach without ever needing a certification based on your life experience and coaching skills. Sometimes potential clients may be interested in coaches with certifications but we believe in serving and creating results. If you can show your prospect the potential of working with you, it won't matter if you have one or not. And if they do mind, then they're probably not the right client for you ;) We explore this topic more in-depth in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIvRaIubrsimh5Y Thanks for asking ❤

[@danielraj3315]

@@mindvalleycoach Wow, what a beautiful answer. Fantastic. Thank you so much! :) ♥ I guess my intuition is a great leader, the only requirement is having the bravery and courage to follow, as it wants to lead me towards uncertainty all the time... :D But that's where magic happens, isn't it? ;)

[@mindvalleycoach]

@@danielraj3315 Hell yes! ❤︎❤︎❤︎

[@daraghhalpin5602]

@@mindvalleycoach I totally agree that you can be a 'natural coach' and do a great job without any certification - but I would never say 'it doesn't matter'. Certification gives assurance to your clients that you are what you say you are. Certification also enables you to learn new material or reaffirm that your intuitive approach is in tune with existing professional practices. Just as you have 'natural' teachers working in schools - but you'd never say teaching qualifications are not important. So too with coaches!

[@mindvalleycoach]

@@daraghhalpin5602 Yes, of course, thank you for clarifying! Certifications are great, we aren't disqualifying their importance or relevance at all. We're just saying, unlike teaching, it's not "mandatory." You can still be a great coach without one. We believe coaches - as any professional including teachers - need to consistently upgrade their skills by studying different tools, methodologies, practices - as you mentioned. And there are many ways to study that - could be certifications or could be courses, programs, etc.. or, even better, both! Thanks for sharing that ❤

[@kikidevine694]

How, as a potential coach, do I move beyond the fear of failure

[@mindvalleycoach]

Great question! This video might be helpful to answer it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5e2h4OQl9KpbZo. Thanks for sharing!

[@danthonyspencer6533]

Questions: How would you know if a client initially hires a life coach but you as a coach realize that the client needs therapy than a life coach?

[@mariamessina550]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@mindvalleycoach]

Thanks for sharing, Maria!

[@churchofthegreenflipflop2436]

I don’t think your summary of what a therapist does is accurate at all. A good therapist is very concerned with the present and the future and helps a person set goals. Good therapists don’t consider that the factors that caused a problem are necessarily the same factors that maintain a problem. The past is only relevant in how it impacts the present and future. The idea of an ‘epiphany’ moment or ‘unlocking’ the past or dealing with the ‘root’ of the problem is outdated/psychological folklore. Also most therapists that are qualified in a particular school of training e.g., CBT are mental health professionals.

[@musiclove2250]

This is not an accurate description of therapy. There are many kinds of therapy and only some of those are past focused.

[@mindvalleycoach]

That is true, as there are also many kinds of coaching. But for the purpose of this specific video, we chose to differentiate both fields with their most standard and generalized definitions. Thanks for sharing!

[@venrakkhita]

a person with a vested interest in one side of the equation cannot create an unbiased objective description. This is just an advert. You don't understand what therapy is. You have succeeded in reinforcing the impression that 'life-coaches' are shallow minded commercial-minded people with little insight.

[@mindvalleycoach]

We're sorry you feel that way but respect your opinion, Ven! We try to be as objective as possible based on facts and research. Please do feel free to drop your definition of therapy to share with the community. Thank you!

[@JohnMichaelFord]

@@mindvalleycoach Ven is on target here.. your poor comparison actually makes me value life coaching less.

[@jamisedenari2449]

​@@JohnMichaelFordlife coaching isn't therapy. We don't help you with trauma and your emotional baggage. There's a difference.

[@PARlS23]

I think you are trying to underplay the role an actual therapist plays. A therapist spends many years studying whilst the majority of life coaches are stay at home individuals. Life coaches are people who provide misinformed advice with little to no educational backing.