An expert explains the difference between a life coach and a therapist – Inverse
Posted: September 28, 2019 at 5:43 pm
Life coaching emerged as a concept in the 1940s and began to boom in popularity in the 1980s. Today the field is an immensely expansive one, filled with a range of services, techniques, and credibility. The question is: How do you know what type of life coaching is right for you? And how do you know if what you actually need is therapy?
If you look for a life coach online, you could find a group of individuals including, but not limited to, social media influencers, people accredited by the International Coach Federation, and psychotherapists who also work as coaches. Dr. Melanie Badali, a registered psychologist, belongs to the latter group.
A version of this article first appeared as the Sunday Scaries newsletter. Sign up for free to receive it on Sundays.
At her clinical psychology practice, she helps people with a wide range of mental health problems. Meanwhile, as a Psychological Health & Safety Leadership Coach, she helps people harness, build, and optimize their strengths as leaders. She explained to me that while both psychotherapists and coaches can help clients achieve goals, build skills, increase confidence, respond to challenging situations effectively, and take control of their lives, they often go about doing that in different ways.
In general, a psychotherapist will help people who have mental health problems become healthier by talking with them. Different types of psychotherapists have different approaches. For example, cognitive behavior therapists aid clients by teaching them new ways of thinking and acting. Meanwhile, coaches typically have experience in a particular area and offer training and guidance as a means to help their clients achieve specific goals. While life coach is a general phrase, these individuals could be, for example, a health coach or a leadership coach.
What unites these professions is the fact that both have clients who want change, and both professions say their services have the potential to help make that change happen. But they are not interchangeable services. In therapy, the focus is often on interpersonal health. Badali explains that if you have a mental health problem, like a level of anxiety thats interfering with your daily life, then you would benefit from seeking help from a mental health care professional trained in an evidence-based treatment.
But if what you want is help identifying what your professional potential is, and then achieving it, a life coach could be a better choice.
If you are so anxious that you are experiencing a lot of distress or are having trouble with daily activities, then I recommend seeking help from a qualified mental health professional after you have ruled out other issues with your medical doctor, Badali says. If you are doing okay in life but would really like to excel or have particular goals you would like to achieve, then a life coach could be very helpful.
And while the topic is somewhat understudied, some research does show that working with a life coach can create positive effects. In a 2003 study that evaluated a small sample size of 20 participants, completion of a life coaching program was linked to higher levels of personal insight. However, levels of self-reflection also decreased after the program was over. In a 2007 study, researchers analyzed a group of 63 people who underwent a 10-week program, either with professional or peer life coaches. Researchers determined that, compared to having a peer coach, coachees of pros demonstrated greater goal commitment and progression and a better sense of well-being.
That study touches on a problem with life coaching unlike a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker, a life coach does not have to have a specific license to work with clients. There are a handful of accreditation programs that offer training and certification, but these are still not required before a person starts selling their life coach services.
If you go see a psychologist or psychiatrist, they have met a certain standard of training and they are responsible for a standard of practice, Badali explains. If you see a coach you dont have this same protection.
She points out that this definitely doesnt mean that coaching is bad but it is something to think about. She is concerned, however, that a lack of regulation around coaching, combined with the ease and cost of creating a professional-looking website selling coaching services, has contributed to a wild west situation. Lately, Badali has seen more advertisements for life coaches and for becoming a life coach than she has at any other point in her career but the general publics understanding of their services has remained murky.
For example, shes seen clients who came to her with their anxiety problems after a life coach couldnt help them.
In most instances, they started out with a life coach because the initial hour rates and wait times were lower than that of mental health professions, Badali says. This does not mean that coaching does not have its place, or that there are not some great coaches out there.
Since life is a pretty big area to be an expert in, she recommends that people interested in coaching should look for coaches who focus on a specific area. If youre unsure, a good place to start is asking your family doctor or general practitioner what they would recommend. Theres space for both therapists and life coaches but what youre going to get is not going to be the same.
A version of this article first appeared as the Sunday Scaries newsletter. Sign up for free to receive it on Sundays.
Read this article:
An expert explains the difference between a life coach and a therapist - Inverse
- The 10 Weight Loss Coaches to Watch in 2021 - GlobeNewswire - February 17th, 2021
- Life coach: Is it really worth the money? - cosmopolitan.com - February 17th, 2021
- Calgary's Henderson rising with Brewers in coaching life - Calgary Sun - February 17th, 2021
- First day of Spring Training gives Cardinals chance to welcome 'pitching strategist' Dusty Blake to coaching staff - KSDK.com - February 17th, 2021
- Carmelo Rodriguez Touches Lives with Moving Stories and Compelling Tales - Thrive Global - February 17th, 2021
- Life after Gronk hasn't been kind to Patriots; can they change that in 2021? - New England Patriots Blog- ESPN - ESPN - February 17th, 2021
- Stoneham mourns the loss of coach Jimmy Carino to COVID-19 - The Boston Globe - February 17th, 2021
- Roots in O-H-I-O: All current FBS head coaches with ties to Ohio State or the state of Ohio - Buckeyes Wire - February 17th, 2021
- New Patient-Centric Clinic Wraps Build in OC - HCO News - Healthcare Construction and Operations News - February 17th, 2021
- Dana Skelton, John Tanner Named Among USOPC Coaches of the Year - Swimming World Magazine - February 17th, 2021
- Where are they now? Mark Martin enjoying less competitive retirement life - NASCAR - February 17th, 2021
- Warriors Steve Kerr recalls meeting with Lute Olson that changed his life - San Francisco Chronicle - February 17th, 2021
- Inclement Weather Results in Another Postponment for Texas Tech and TCU - BCSNN - Best College Sports News Network - February 17th, 2021
- Faces of North County 2021 | Youth Life Coaching - Coast News - January 29th, 2021
- Reaction to the death of Hall of Fame coach John Chaney - USA TODAY - January 29th, 2021
- Diverse coaching backgrounds of Wes Morgan, Ryker Kreutzfeldt play crucial role in Kernel basketball rebirth - The Daily Republic - January 29th, 2021
- Bob Wright remembered as coaching icon, molder of men in Jackson community - MLive.com - January 29th, 2021
- Barnegat Coach Inducted into State Hall of Fame: Honor Extends Further - TAPinto.net - January 29th, 2021
- Giving Teens the Confidence to Thrive - Bethel University News - January 29th, 2021
- SPORTS DIGEST: Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks make moves with coaching staff, rosters - The Times of Northwest Indiana - January 29th, 2021
- Teacher of the Month: McFarland teaching, coaching about life - hays Post - January 29th, 2021
- Girls on the Run of Southwest IN Spring Coaching Opportunities - The Herald - January 29th, 2021
- Mater Dei Graduate Named to the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame - Herald Pubs - January 29th, 2021
- Wow! The maker scene has brought us a functional Batman grappling hook - The American Genius - January 29th, 2021
- Oregon Ducks assistant Keith Heyward leaving the program - The Register-Guard - January 29th, 2021
- Leo Gura - Growing In Times Of Crisis - January 10th, 2021
- Revere Baseball Leagues Honors the Life of Coach Kevin Cummings - Revere Journal - October 28th, 2020
- Whoop, maker of the fitness tracker that pro athletes love, is now valued at $1.2 billion - CNBC - October 28th, 2020
- Addressing the inefficiencies in the Productivity Tools - EnterpriseTalk - October 28th, 2020
- Parenting coach releasing book to help parents with teens - Your Valley - October 28th, 2020
- Local Event: Debs' Vocalist Showcase & Benefit for the Innocence Project - Patch.com - October 28th, 2020
- Coaches' Corner with Scott Smith - The Stokes News - October 28th, 2020
- Maryland University of Integrative Health's health and wellness coaching program approved by NBHWC Wall Street Call - Reported Times - October 28th, 2020
- A tip of the hat to my old football coach - Gonzales Inquirer - October 28th, 2020
- Little ready to bring the energy: Former Sierra player joins CSU Pueblo women's basketball program as assistant coach - Pueblo Chieftain - October 28th, 2020
- Nebraska had plenty of talent in 1970, but their coaches made the Huskers go the distance - Omaha World-Herald - October 28th, 2020
- Profile of An American Family in 2020: How to Pay Child Care Bills - Fatherly - October 28th, 2020
- Hutchinson High School 2020 Wall of Fame inductees share pride, achievements - Crow River Media - October 28th, 2020
- Another example surfaces of abuse of Black players by white coaches - The Undefeated - October 28th, 2020
- The Top 10 Pinterest Coaches and Strategists to Follow - GlobeNewswire - October 28th, 2020
- A financial coach who's worked with hundreds of clients says 3 things helped her build her own wealth - Business Insider - October 28th, 2020
- What Its *Really* Like to Work with a Life Coach, According to One Advertising Exec and Working Mom - PureWow - October 27th, 2020
- The NFL Head Coach Life Span And What It Means For Zimmer - Vikings Territory - October 27th, 2020
- Former Jackson-area basketball coach remembered as man of character, compassionate leader - MLive.com - October 27th, 2020
- Degrees, business and books, nothing stops this man - Eastern Arizona Courier - October 27th, 2020
- Where to Find Clarity and Relief During Life's Most Troubling Moments - WTMJ-TV - October 27th, 2020
- Robust client relationships focus on wealth and health - InvestmentNews - October 27th, 2020
- I didnt think my vote counted: Why Bradley Beal is voting for the first time - The Undefeated - October 27th, 2020
- 4 Skills that Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra Used to Go from the Dungeon to the Corner Office - Entrepreneur - October 27th, 2020
- The role of a CEO in driving diversity and change - Insurance Business NZ - October 27th, 2020
- MAKING THE JUMP: Rachel Hays set to open coaching business - Columbus Telegram - October 27th, 2020
- Colby College opens athletic and recreation center on its Waterville, Maine, campus - American School & University - October 27th, 2020
- Life coaching with Khabib: Dapper UFC star reveals he is releasing a course to teach people 'how to be a champ in life & business' - RT - September 17th, 2020
- Stroke Survivor Pivots Life Purpose to Empower Others and Embrace Their New Normal - Yahoo Finance - September 17th, 2020
- Cylient Launches Global and Collaborative Digital Learning Version of Coaching in the Moment Training - Daily Record-News - September 17th, 2020
- Remembering the life, legacy of Ed Pepple through those he impacted: SBLive Washington podcast - scorebooklive.com - September 17th, 2020
- Life Without Jimmy, Wolves Coaches Being Interviewed and Draft Talk - Zone Coverage - September 17th, 2020
- Kopping fulfills football dreams by coaching youth teams - Ashland Daily Press - September 17th, 2020
- Looking back on a life filled with basketball games and good times - Greensboro News & Record - September 17th, 2020
- Indianapolis life coach launches first emotional well-being app for and by women of color - IndyStar - September 17th, 2020
- 'It's much bigger than any of the sports we have' | Why some parents and coaches agree with youth sports ban - KSDK.com - September 17th, 2020
- Reaching Out to Others - coastalbreezenews.com - September 17th, 2020
- Mind Your Garden -- The Seeds You Plant Today Become the Realities of Tomorrow - PRNewswire - September 17th, 2020
- REVEALED: Aussie coach Doug Frost's Olympic Relay Plan That Sank The US On A Dramatic Opening Day In Sydney - Swimming World Magazine - September 17th, 2020
- Service goal: 'Improve their overall life' - Pendleton Times-Post - September 17th, 2020
- Ed Pepple, Hall of Fame Mercer Island basketball coach, dies at age 88 - Sports and Weather Right Now - September 17th, 2020
- At the heart of the matter, sister inspires Charlie Weis Jr.'s coaching climb - Notre Dame Insider - September 17th, 2020
- 30 K12 IT Influencers Worth a Follow in 2020 - EdTech Magazine: Focus on Higher Education - September 17th, 2020
- 2 women killed in U.S. 10 crash remembered for their loving ways - mlive.com - September 9th, 2020
- Need a job? Amazon seeks to fill 33,000 openings on Career Day 2020 - pennlive.com - September 9th, 2020
- Living a life of contentment | McFarland Thistle - The Cambridge News - September 9th, 2020
- Shes Using Hypnotherpay to Help Her Clients Create Change in Their Lives - The Story Exchange - September 9th, 2020
- The Remarkable Life and Times of Dr. Tom House - Sports Illustrated - September 9th, 2020
- Billy Martin needed time away after his father's death. Now, he's back coaching at Moore - Courier Journal - September 9th, 2020
- Bucs' Leonard Fournette: For the first time in my life, I really have a quarterback' - ABC Action News - September 9th, 2020
- Alton Dressel - The Daily Iberian - September 9th, 2020
- 4 Questions to Help Women Navigate the Second Half of Their Careers - Harvard Business Review - September 9th, 2020
- A Conversation With the ISU Soccer Coach - ISU Bengal Online - September 9th, 2020
- Former WNBA Player Crystal Robinson Always Wanted To Be A Coach - Sep 8, 2020 - Sports Are From Venus - September 9th, 2020
- How the Raptors 'scout team' is adjusting to life inside the NBA's bubble - The Athletic - September 9th, 2020