Counseling vs Coaching
Q: Is a Coach sort of like a Counselor/Therapist?
A: No at all
Therapists, counselors, and psychologists are all different, but for the sake of brevity I will be referring to “Therapist” to encompass them all. A therapist is someone who has received their masters or doctorate, has performed often thousands of practicum hours and is licensed by the state they reside in.
Coaching is not yet a regulated industry and the title “Life/Executive/Relational/etc Coach” can be used as a title legally by anyone.
More people are choosing to become certified through a program such as iPEC, where I received my training, and then remain accountable by the International Coach Federation, but again this is not required.
Sometimes people are unable to move forward in life due to a mental health matter or a past trauma and in these cases a therapist is best suited to come alongside of you. Sometimes people are unable to move forward with clarity because they simply haven’t made the time to pause, assess, and dig deep in order to (re)gain clarity on where they wish to go. In these cases a knowledgeable coach can help you do so energetically.