Understanding the Differences Between Therapy and Coaching
Dear Friends,
I am always very clear in my practice that I am not a therapist. In this week's Act Three newsletter, we're diving into the distinctions between therapy and coaching—two powerful avenues for personal growth and support. While both aim to help individuals improve their lives, they do so in distinct ways. Understanding these differences can help you decide which path might be best.
Therapy: Healing and Understanding the Past
Therapy is conducted by licensed mental health professionals who have undergone extensive training to diagnose and treat mental health issues. It often focuses on exploring past experiences and emotional healing. Therapists work with clients to address dysfunctional patterns, process trauma, and manage mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Therapy sessions are typically open-ended, allowing for deep exploration of personal history and emotional challenges.
Key Characteristics of Therapy:
Coaching: Forward-Focused and Goal-Oriented
Coaching, on the other hand, is more about helping individuals achieve specific goals and improve their performance. Coaches are not required to have a license, but they often have certifications in specific coaching methodologies. Coaching sessions are typically structured around setting and achieving goals, with a focus on the present and future rather than the past. Coaches help clients identify strengths, overcome obstacles, and create actionable plans for personal and professional growth.
Key Characteristics of Coaching:
About My Retirement Coaching Service
We work together in 5-6 one-on-one custom sessions to identify loads of different options to intentionally design the rest of your life. This identification includes ways to find purpose/meaning, take care of your mental and physical health, nurture current relationships and discover new ones, discover communities that are aligned with your interests, and identify a plan for life-long learning and staying relevant. At this point, we identify 30, 60, and 90-day goals and I get to work on an extremely robust document full of curated resources based on what you have identified in the sessions. This document is typically 25-35 pages in length. We then schedule 30 and 60-day check-ins for accountability and the document is yours to refer back to whenever you get stuck.
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?? I believe coaching should be actionable and goal-oriented. There should also be a clear ROI as a result of working with me.
Here’s what a recent client had to say about my services on LinkedIn:
How They Complement Each Other
While therapy and coaching have different focuses, they can complement each other. Therapy can help individuals understand and heal from past traumas, while coaching can provide the tools and strategies needed to move forward and achieve specific goals. Some individuals may benefit from engaging in both simultaneously, depending on their needs.
Understanding the unique benefits of therapy and coaching can empower you to make informed decisions about the type of support that best aligns with your personal or professional goals. Whether you're looking to heal from the past or build a brighter future, there's a path that's right for you.
Stay tuned for weekly content about travel, health, relationships, identity, spirituality, doing good and starting a new venture as it relates to retirement/the next chapter in your life ?
Please subscribe and forward this newsletter to others who are thinking about retirement planning or are already retired. Thanks for your support ??.
Warm regards,
Cara Gray, Retirement Coach
P.S. If you want to start planning your retirement, set up a time on my calendar for a chat: Schedule a Chat with Cara
P.S.S. If you are curious about my Retirement Blueprint service, here are all the details including how to get started.